Natural Vs Organic Food – What's the Difference?

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With grocery store chains such as Whole Foods popping up all over the United States, the availability of healthy food has become much more widespread. Although one might assume that the terms "natural" and "organic" are interchangeable, it is important to know the difference between the descriptions so that you will know exactly what you are eating next time you decide to go with health food for dinner.

Natural and organic are not the same thing. In fact, "natural" is not even a legally regulated term, like "organic" is. In 2000, the US Department of Agriculture established guidelines for companies wanting to put this label on their products. Organic food can not be grown or processed with the following:

• Pesticides
• Most synthetic fertilizers
• Sewer-sludge fertilizers
• Genetic engineering (genetically modified organisms, or GMOs)
• Growth hormones
• Antibiotics
• Irradiation

Natural is a word coined by the food industry that is not regulated by the government. Typically, the natural label is applied to foods that do not have preservatives and have not undergone much processing. Additionally, natural foods are assumed to have ingredients that are environmentally friendly rather than harsh chemicals.

When a product meets with the organic requirements, it can be labeled with a seal that states it is "USDA Organic." However, a company is not forced to use the stamp. In some cases, like with fruits and vegetables in the produce section, the sign above the item will label it as organic. Additionally, there are several levels of organic to look for. First, "100% organic foods" must actually be 100% organic. Next, "organic" means an item has at least 95% organic ingredients. Lastly, things that are 70% organic or greater are "made with organic ingredients."

While most people might think that only whole fruits and vegetables can be organic, a number of other items can be chemical-free as well. There are some cosmetic companies that utilize only organic components. Also, organic grapes can be grown for organic wine. If you think about it, organic farming is the traditional farming method that has been utilized since the dawn of agriculture.

In conclusion, do not let the term "natural" fool you. Although most members of the food industry only name something as natural if it is minimally processed with no preservatives, there is no guarantee. If you want to make sure something is really free from chemicals, look to 100% organic certified products.

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