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Pesticides and Food:
What "Organically Grown" Means
"Organically grown" food is food grown and processed using no synthetic fertilizers or pesticides. Pesticides derived from natural sources (e.g., biological pesticides) may also be used in producing organically grown food. Increasingly, some consumers are purchasing organically grown and processed foods as a way to reduce their exposure to synthetic pesticides and fertilizers. Many supermarkets now stock organic products for their consumers. Ask your grocer about organic food and its availability at your store.
USDA Issues National Organic Standards
Beginning on October 21, 2002, producers and handlers must be certified by a USDA-accredited certifying agent to sell, label, or represent their products as "100 percent "organic," "organic," or "made with organic (specified ingredients or food group(s)."
National Organic Program: USDA issued
the final national standards for the production, handling, and processing
of organically grown agricultural products. For more information on the
National Organic Program, visit their Web site. 