What Does Organic Really Mean?
Wednesday, November 18th, 2009The following definitions are used by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Organic Program, covering cosmetics and body care products:
100 percent organic: Product must contain (excluding water and salt) only organically produced ingredients. Products may display the USDA Organic Seal.
Organic: Product must contain at least 95 percent organically produced ingredients (excluding water and salt). Products may display the USDA Organic Seal.
Made with organic ingredients: Products contain at least 70 percent organic ingredients and product label can list as many as three of the organic ingredients or food groups on the principal display panel. Products may not display the USDA Organic Seal.
Less than 70 percent organic ingredients: Products cannot use the term organic anywhere on the principal display panel. They may identify the specific ingredients that are USDA-certified as being organically produced on the ingredients statement on the information panel. Products may not display the USDA Organic Seal.