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Is healthy eating your New Year’s resolution? Perhaps in 2023 you will decide to eat only organic products. But not all organic labels are the same. We start the new year by sorting out the meaning of the labels on last week’s eggs.
Before we get into labels, it’s important to understand that there are many studies showing that organic produce is no better than conventionally grown produce. This way, even if organic food doesn’t fit your budget, you won’t be consuming low-quality nutrients and you can provide your family with healthy, economical meals. This week, let’s break down the differences in organic labeling.
Made Organically: This label indicates that the product contains at least 70% organic ingredients, excluding salt and water.
Organic: The term “organic” means that the product contains at least 95% organic ingredients, excluding salt and water.
100% Organic: Any product that contains 100% organic ingredients (except salt and water) may be labeled “100% Organic”.
USDA Certified Organic: Do you know the difference between Certified Organic and USDA Certified Organic? “USDA Certified Organic” means that all products are grown and processed according to strict regulations and do not contain GMOs.
USDA Organic (eggs): This label indicates that the hens that produced these eggs were free-range and outdoors; they also ate organic food.
USDA Organic (Milk and Beef): The “USDA Organic” label means cattle are outdoors year-round, hormone-free, and fed organically.
Whether you choose organic or conventional, being able to decipher grocery store labels can help you make informed decisions on your grocery shopping trips. Just remember that not all food labels are the same and this is the first step to learning more about marketing strategies and how to choose healthy and economical foods for your family.
Navigating grocery stores and brands can be tricky, and the Path to Plate program and the Texas A&M University Extension Service can help. If you need more information on how to read a product label or what a product label means, please contact me, your county agent, Danae Hicks, at 972-825-5175 or email danae.hicks@ag. tamu.edu.
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Post time: Jan-05-2023