Organic Vs. Natural Foods: One is a Deceiving Marketing Tactic

Photo bybronzedbybulley

Companies will try anything to convince you to buy their product. One of their most famous tactics is labeling products with terms that don't necessarily mean what you think they do. This is certainly true for the terms "organic" and "natural" placed on food packaging. There is a huge misconception about what these two terms mean, and are often incorrectly perceived to be the same thing. Keep reading to learn what these two terms actually mean and how they are regulated by the FDA and USDA. Hint: One of them is mainly just a marketing tactic and offers you no real benefit!

Organic Foods: What Does It Actually Mean?

Organic foods are regulated by the USDA. All foods labeled as such must be verified by a USDA-accredited certifying agent and must comply with USDA organic standards. Here is a brief overview of the criteria for a food product to be certified organic.

Livestock and Poultry

• Producers must only feed their animals feed that is 100% organic. It is permitted to add vitamins and minerals to the diet.
• Producers must still treat sick or injured animals. However, they are not allowed to sell the meat, milk, or eggs from those animals.
• All livestock and poultry must have outdoor access. It is permissible to confine animals temporarily due to their health or inclement weather.
• Dairy animals and animals intended for slaughter must be raised under organic protocols from the last third of gestation. Poultry has to be raised organically no later than two days old.

Crops

• Land must be free of prohibited substances for at least 3 years.
• Organic seeds and planting stock must be used when possible.
• It is forbidden to use genetic engineering, sewage sludge, and ionizing radiation
• When necessary, a biological, botanical, or synthetic product on the approved National List may be used.

You can view the complete USDA organic standards here.

Natural Foods: Imposter?

The FDA considers a natural product to be one that contains no artificial or synthetic ingredients. This includes all food colorings. Unlike organic foods, "natural" foods are not closely regulated. In fact, they are almost as unregulated as they can get.

The term "natural" does not mean the food product was grown without the use of chemicals. It does not dictate how the animals or crops are raised. Nor does it address thermal technologies such as pasteurization.

The big misconception is that the term "natural" is synonymous with "non-GMO". This is not true. "Natural" foods can be genetically modified, and many of them are.

Marketing Tactic

Do not let the term "natural" fool you. It does not take much for companies to label their food "natural," even though they may not be good for you at all!

In fact, many companies began using the label "all-natural" or "natural" to compete with organic foods. These companies either couldn't comply with USDA's organic standards or didn't want to, so this was the cheap way to make consumers think their products were just as healthy and processed to the same high standards as organic. Unfortunately, uninformed consumers came to believe that "natural" foods are really good for you, and this just isn't the case.

Inspect food labels carefully at the grocery store before your next purchase!

Please consider following me if you like this article. Writers like myself greatly appreciate the support. If you haven't already, be sure to download the free NewsBreak app and receive local and national news at your fingertips.

Want to write for NewsBreak? Click here!