Decoding the 'Organic' Label for ethical shoppers

Along with the green movement, ethical consumers around the world are looking to not only improve the state of the environment but their health as well. This has lead to the growing demand for organic products not only in cosmetic lines and other items but in the foods we eat. The term organic however has been distorted and turned into a sort of marketing ploy by the food companies to sell what they're packaging.So then it is now up to us, as ethical shoppers, to debunk fact from fiction and misleading label from true 100 percent organic material.

It may seem simple enough, if there is a label slapped on the front telling you that what you're buying is 'organic' or 'all natural' that is will be not only healthier for you, but better for the environment as well. That's exactly what these food retailers want you to think, and they suspect that the vast majority doesn't read the fine print of the little asterisk next to the pretty claim on the front. And they assume right; which as lead to the problem in that if you truly want to be a green shopper that supports more environmentally friendly production processes you are going to have to go in armed with information and your reading glasses.

First we must look at what the term organic is actually meant to portray, which is that the farmers who adhere to this process take extra measures to make sure that their soil and water consumption are as little as possible and work to conserve what they can. They also abstain from using pesticides and other toxic fertilizers in place of greener options, and this also includes more humane animal treatment for their livestock. There are plenty of specifics, such as crop rotation and even providing certain diets to the animals to prevent diseases, but overall organic farming is much different from standard practices and it is a lot of work.That is why it is unfair to both farmers and consumers when food labels are intentionally misleading.

Okay, so just what are these labels that we should look for to ensure that what we are buying is in fact organic and in line with our ethical shopping habits? It will vary depending on where you live but in the United States and Australia you can be assured that if the label reads specifically '100% Organic' it is; this will usually only be foods that have a single ingredient such as vegetables, fruits, and eggs.The next best label is one that reads 'Organic' or 'Certified Organic' as that will mean that the food must be at least 95% of all organic ingredients. The remaining 5% can still then be of non-organic materials and practices so you want to then check the ingredient label for anything that may be potentially harmful to your health or the environment. This label is used in the US, Canada, European Union and UK, as well as Australia. The real buggers that will mislead ethical consumers then are the rest of the labels as they will only mean that a minimum of 70% of the ingredients are actually made organically. These include across the aforementioned territories: 'Made with organic ingredients', '% organic product', or 'certified organic ingredients'. If that isn't confusing enough there are also loopholes in the US and Canada that allow food companies to put basically whatever they want as long as it isn't on the primary display panel, usually the front of the box. They are then free to point out specific ingredients that are organic (even if it's just a single one that is hardly used in the total product) on the nutritional label and outside the prime display panel.

It may seem tricky to navigate the world of organics when you are hoping to support greener habits that are both
eco-friendly and better for your health. But the key to being an ethical shopper is being an informed consumer and then being able to separate the true organics from the impostors. For the specific guidelines in your area you can go to the links at the bottom; however a good rule of thumb is that if you are looking for real organics seek out the '100% Organic' seal or one that reads 'Certified Organic' as they will be your best bets. And even then, make sure it's on the primary display panel, usually the front, and not sneakily slipped in somewhere else!

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