Organic Cetification
USDA Organic Certified
The word "organic" on U.S. products means that the ingredients and production methods have been verified by an accredited certification agency as meeting or exceeding USDA standards for organic production. In short, consumers have the assurance that products labeled "organic" have been produced in compliance with the standards set forth by USDA.
On October 21, 2002, new regulations went into effect that govern the labeling of foods produced using organic agriculture. Only products with either 100% or 95-100% organic ingredients can use the USDA organic symbol.
How were the National Organic Standards created?
Passage of the Organic Foods Production Act (OFPA) in 1990 (Title XXI, 1990 Farm Bill) created the U.S. National Organic Standards. The National Organic Program (NOP) of the Agricultural Marketing Service, United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), is authorized to enforce OFPA.
What is role of the National Organic Program?
The NOP has the responsibility of implementing the organic standards
now that there is a final rule. The NOP's role is to accredit state
agencies and private organizations that will certify organic producers
and handlers, and to oversee enforcement of the standards.
USDA organic program:
