USDA Organic…We all Win

For a decade the debate has continued over organic foods in the US and the USDA has issued standards for organic foods, the toughest standards in the world. They have created a "USDA Organic" label.

Critics objected to putting the "organic" label on foods grown from genetically modified seeds, treated by disease-killing irradiation and fertilized by sewage sludge recycled by municipal waste plants. And the USDA responded: Organic foods cannot include biotechnology, irradiation or sewage sludge.

The organic food industry has been growing at a rate of 20 percent annually over the past decade. Sales from about 12,000 organic farmers nationwide are expected to reach $6 billion this year, according to the Organic Trade Association and only about half of these farmers will fall under the standards.

Under the federal standards USDA agents will certify foods that contain at least 95% organically grown ingredients as "organic". Foods whose contents are more than 70% organic will be labeled as "containing organic ingredients."

Now there are consistent standards and labeling for all organic products marketed in the United States. This legislation now assures consumers that not only are the foods going to be uniformly produced, but humane practices will be implemented to ensure livestock have a more lifelike existence. The rules cover over-crowding, time to pasture and contents of animal feed in a sweeping reform that is expected to boost the US organics market.

Finally, something all creatures win from.

Remember, YOU have the POWER!

By BioD

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