Knowing the Difference- Organic Vs. Natural

There are attempts out there by large manufacturing companies to mislead all of us consumers in believing that we are making better choices for our families food consumption. The truth is we are being mislead and lied to. Our Government set standards, the USDA and the FDA, is allowing it. Now, I could go on a rant about how "They" are making decisions for "us" that they have no right to do, however the painful truth is that "we" have allowed them to do so for so long by not educating ourselves with "their" practices and policies.It is our own fault, to simply assume that "they" would never willingly do anything to hurt "us" is naive on "our" part at best.

I decided to write this blog to clear up some of the misconceptions of the manufactures labeling of "Natural" and "Organic". It is a very complex subject and one that an entire book could be written about ....but this is just my blog and my attempt is to help you make educated decisions on what you are feeding yourself and your loved ones.

Often, a label on the grocery store shelf will say Natural, it may even say 'Natural and Organic" on the same box. It is confusing. So here is a definition of each so that you may understand the difference.

Natural = the true definition: produced or existing in nature. (Wikipedia)

Now, according to the FDA, the definition of Natural, All Natural or 100% Natural,  is =
Natural Foods that are processed without preservatives or additives but can be grown in conventional methods. ( Such as Genetically Modified or with the use of Pesticides.)
The FDA only regulates the term "natural" only as it applies to the following: added color, flavors and synthetic substances. A package that says " all natural" may contain any, or all, of the following: synthetic pesticides, herbicides, chemical fertilizers, heavy metals, msg, byproducts,genetically modified organisms, industrial solvents, chemical food additives, or synthetic chemical vitamins. Manufacturers are not required to list chemical contaminants in the foods that we eat and can still label their product as "natural".

Okay, I am not a rocket scientists, but some of those things just do not seem "natural" to me. I really do not see myself serving up a big plate of industrial solvents with a side of pesticides to my loved ones. YECH!!!! Now lets look at the definition of organic....

Organic = Foods that are produced using methods that DO NOT involve modern synthetic inputs such as synthetic pesticides and chemical fertilizers, do not contain genetically modified organisms, and are not processed using irradiation, industrial solvents,or chemical food additives.

The organic food industry is heavily regulated, meats and poultry may have no use of antibiotics and or growth hormones of any kind.  Organic farming does not push an animal to produce more then they would naturally. Organic Farming does not push for factory farming organic farming does promote old fashioned standards and practices. In the United States, 95% of the ingredients must be organic to have the USDA Organic stamp of approval.  

I hope this blog has helped you to know the difference in labeling, and to not fall for the marketing of labels to fool you into believing you are eating healthier then you really are. Educate yourself. Put the time and effort in to get to know what is available to you locally. When you know your food sources, it is easier to make wise choices!