WHAT IS “CERTIFIED ORGANIC” FOOD?
The food consumer was the main focus of the National Organic Foods Act. Members of Congress wrote the law to assure consumers that the organic foods they purchase are produced and processed in ways that are consistent with NOP standards. The USDA NOP has the responsibility to carry out the law. A good way to understand how the program works is to divide it into three parts: • First, there is the set of rules or standards that defines how organic food must be produced, processed and handled. • Next, there is a process to certify organic farmers, growers, producers and handlers of organic products. Certification is used to ensure that organic foods have been produced, processed and handled according to the required standards. • The third part is the “USDA organic” seal and labeling rules that certified organic farmers, processors and handlers can use in marketing organic products. The seal and standardized label information are intended to help the food buyer find products that conform t
