Organic: Part 1

Another in a series of Writing to Learn blogs. Repeating last month's Perception blog opening just because it bears repeating.

If I assume something to be true or false, I am judging it without evidence. If I presume something is true, I do so based on probability or evidence—it's my educated guess.

When it comes to food and food labeling, we presume a level of trust. We also presume that some agency or governing body has scrutinized, tested, examined, reviewed, and certified the claims made by whoever has grown and/or produced the product.

We may or may not have read the label or researched the product. We may or may not have purchased it because a friend or a social media "influencer" gave it a thumbs-up. Most of us don't have the time or the interest in researching a product. We presume that some regulatory authority is taking care of business. Is that a fair presumption? Do you care, or are you a die-hard, "show me" skeptic when it comes to putting your trust in a company, its products, and its Code of Ethics?

Unfortunately, the human race has always had its fair share of individuals and companies ready to seize on any opportunity to "game the system". They target products that command premium prices, where authenticity is not easily verifiable, and supply chains are long and opaque.

The health-conscious among us seek out products that are marketed as organic, natural, artisanal, sustainable, local, or premium.

Our trust is violated when, for example, we discover that our jar of honey is not "pure," our olive oil has been diluted, and our supplements include fillers like rice powder.

The "snake oil salesman" of yesteryear has morphed into a more technologically sophisticated 21st-century huckster. So, because of the sins of the few against the trust of the many, it's only natural to question and remain vigilant. Here are some resources you might find helpful in staying informed:

• Economically Motivated Adulteration (Food Fraud)

• FDA Health Fraud Product Database

• Pharmaceutical Violation Tracker

• Food Fraud Advisors

Now for a bit of Organic Farming FAQ...

Q: What is organic farming?

A: A holistic agricultural system that prioritizes ecological balance, biodiversity, and the health of soil, ecosystems, and people; working with nature, and emphasizing sustainable practices.

• No Synthetic Inputs: Strictly prohibits the use of synthetic fertilizers, pesticides, herbicides, and genetically modified organisms (GMOs).

• Soil Health Focus: Building and maintaining healthy, fertile soil through natural means: compost, animal manures, green manures, and cover crops that foster beneficial microbial life and enhance soil structure.

• Natural Pest and Disease Control: Crop rotation, companion planting, biological pest control (introducing natural predators), physical barriers, and disease-resistant crop varieties.

• Biodiversity: Promote and conserve biodiversity, both within the farm ecosystem (e.g., diverse crops, beneficial insects) and in the surrounding environment.

• Animal Welfare: For organic livestock, strict standards ensure animal welfare, including access to outdoor areas, humane living conditions, and organic feed, while prohibiting the routine use of antibiotics and synthetic hormones.

• Ecological Balance: Create a self-sustaining system that recycles on-farm resources, minimizes waste, and reduces farming's environmental impact.

Q: When Did the US Congress Pass Legislation Regarding Organic Gardening?

A: Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vermont) introduced the bill on 02/08/1990. The United States Congress passed legislation regarding organic production with the Organic Foods Production Act of 1990 (OFPA). This act established a national standard for organically produced products and provided for their labeling.

Q: Who Administers the Program?

The National Organic Program (NOP), under the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS), administers the organic certification program.

The USDA's National Organic Program (NOP) and USDA-accredited third-party certifiers are responsible for enforcing organic agriculture standards. The NOP develops and enforces standards, while certifiers conduct inspections and investigations of organic farms and businesses. Oversight includes annual, unannounced, and compliance inspections, along with sample collection for analysis of prohibited substances.

"Organic Agriculture Standards: Oversight and Enforcement."

For more updates on the status of various organic-farming-related programs

When it comes to organic labeling categories, here's what I've found thus far.

Label Category	Organic Content	Labeling Requirements	Authority & Oversight
100% Organic	100%	Must show certifying agent name. May use USDA Seal.	USDA National Organic Program (NOP): Sets the federal standards.
Organic	95% or more	Must show certifying agent name. May use USDA Seal. Remaining 5% must be on the "National List" of allowed substances.	USDA-Accredited Certifying Agents: 3rd-party organizations (like CCOF or QAI) that perform the actual inspections and audits.
"Made with" Organic Ingredients	At least 70%	Can list up to 3 organic ingredients on the front. Cannot use USDA Seal. Must show certifying agent name.	National Organic Standards Board (NOSB): A citizen advisory board that recommends which substances are allowed in organic production.
Specific Organic Ingredients	Less than 70%	May only list organic items in the ingredient statement. Cannot use USDA Seal or the word "organic" on the front panel.	International Authorities: (e.g., EU Organic, Canada Organic Regime) have "equivalency arrangements" with the USDA for imported goods.

Q: What is a "certifying agent"?

A: A Certifying Agent is the USDA-accredited organization that has audited the farm or facility to verify they are following all federal organic regulations. More

Q: What is the "National List" of allowed substances?

A: "The National List of Allowed and Prohibited Substances is the definitive regulatory 'toolbox' that determines what can and cannot be used in organic production.

The core philosophy of the USDA organic standards is that natural (non-synthetic) substances are allowed unless specifically prohibited, and synthetic substances are prohibited unless specifically allowed. The National List is where all those specific exceptions are documented." More

The list is divided into three main scopes:

Scope	What's Included	Examples of Exceptions
Crops	Synthetic substances allowed in the field; natural substances that are forbidden.	Allowed Synthetic: Copper sulfate (for fungus), Newspaper (for mulch). Prohibited Natural: Arsenic, Strychnine.
Livestock	Medications, parasiticides, and feed additives allowed when natural methods fail.	Allowed Synthetic: Vaccines, Alcohols for disinfecting, Electrolytes. Note: Antibiotics are strictly prohibited.
Handling	Non-organic ingredients and "processing aids" used in packaged foods.	Allowed Non-organic: Baking soda, Citric acid, Yeast, Xanthan gum.

Q: What is "Allowed Synthetic"?

A: "Allowed Synthetic" refers to man-made substances that the USDA has explicitly cleared for use because they are considered safe for the environment and human health, and no natural alternative exists.

The baseline rule for organic farming is: Natural is allowed; Synthetic is forbidden. However, the National Organic Standards Board (NOSB) recognizes that some modern tools are necessary to produce food at scale or to protect animal welfare."

Q: Why are synthetics allowed?

A: Criteria for a synthetic substance to make it onto the National List:

• Safety: It cannot harm human health or the environment.

• Necessity: There is no natural/organic substitute available.

• Compatibility: It must be consistent with the principles of organic farming.

Here are some common examples by category:

Category	Allowed Synthetic	Purpose
Crops	Copper Sulfate	A mineral-based fungicide used to prevent rot and blight.
Crops	Plastic Mulch	Heavy plastic sheeting used to suppress weeds (must be removed from the field at the end of the season).
Livestock	Aspirin	Used to reduce inflammation or pain in sick animals (under strict limits).
Livestock	Electrolytes	Used to treat dehydration in young calves or poultry.
Handling/Processing	Ethylene Gas	A synthetic version of a natural plant hormone used to trigger the ripening of fruit (like bananas) after harvest.
Handling/Processing	Xanthan Gum	A stabilizer produced by fermentation used to give texture to gluten-free or dairy-free organic foods.

Next month: "Organic: Part 2." In the meantime, your feedback is welcome. I also invite you to contact me if you are interested in submitting your own blog post for publication.