Organic Quality, Are Organic Foods
Really 100% Organic

In the US organic food production is regulated by the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) via the National Organic Program (NOP).

The NOP regulations prohibit the use of genetic engineering, ionizing radiation, and sewage sludge in organic production and handling. 

Production and handling standards address organic crop production, wild crop harvesting, organic livestock management, and processing and handling of organic agricultural products.  

In addition, it is not permitted for any land to have any prohibited substance applied to it at least 3 years before organic crops are harvested from it.

Organic crops are to be raised without using most conventional pesticides, petroleum-based fertilizers, or sewage sludge-based fertilizers. Animals raised on an organic operation must be fed organic feed and given access to the outdoors.  They are given no antibiotics or growth hormones. 

Labeling standards are based on the percentage of organic ingredients in a product.  Therefore, you need to check labels carefully to ensure you know what you are buying.

Products "labeled 100% organic" must contain only organically produced ingredients - no exceptions.

However, there are two other categories which is where confusion can lie.  Products labeled "organic" must consist of at least 95% organically produced ingredients. 

In addition, there is a third category in which products made with at least 70% organic ingredients can be labeled "made with organic ingredients".

It is understandable if people make mistakes when they are in a hurry shopping!  It would seem that the answer to the question organic quality, are foods really 100% organic, is some are, but check the product labels!

You can check out the labels used by the USDA/NOP here.

A civil penalty of up to $10,000 can be levied on any person who knowingly sells or labels as organic any product that does not meet the NOP standards.

Compliance measures taken include unannounced inspections by the USDA and residue tests on organically produced products when it is suspected that the ingredients may have been contaminated with non organic substances.

There are exceptions to the NOP standards and farms that sell less than $5,000 a year in organic agricultural products are exempt from organic certification.  Grocery stores and restaurants do not have to be certified.

All this is fine but it seems that the best way to ensure you are eating truly organic food is to grow it yourself.  Why not try growing some vegetables in a part of your garden? 

In fact, you don't even need a garden any plants can be grown in containers so why not try to raise some crops in tubs or pots?  You can more readily control the contents of the soil and maintenance of crops in this way.

Further reading

Living an organic lifestyle

More organic food articles

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