How is organic food certified?
After three years of growing produce without any chemicals or pesticides, a farmer must have his entire farm and equipment inspected by an independent agency to verify that it meets the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) standards. If he passes the test, the agency provides him with a certificate proving that his produce is “certified organic.” In the case of livestock, it can only be certified organic after having been fed with certified organic grains and products for a year. Organic meat, especially beef, has become more and more popular since the beginning of the mad cow disease scare in 2003. What is the difference between “natural” and “organic” food? These different labels can be quite confusing, but don’t be fooled. The label “natural” simply means that the food has not been highly processed, but it is not necessarily organic. Always look for the label “USDA certified organic.” What are the benefits of organic food? The supposed benefits of organics are highly debat
