#organic label

[mothernaturenetwork]

'Rebel' farmers launch second organic label

New label will certify foods grown in soil — and exclude others.

[modfarm]

Potting Soil Mix Explained: Ingredients and Labels

What’s in potting soil, where it comes from, and the environmental impact of each component, from coca coir and compost to perlite and peat moss.

[kosaacupuncture]

Contaminated food from China now entering the U.S. under the 'organic' label

Contaminated food from China now entering the U.S. under the ‘organic’ label

The Chinese food production industry is one of the world’s least-regulated and most corrupt, as has repeatedly been proven time and again. Now, it appears, there is no trusting anything that comes from China marked “organic.”

Natural Health 365 reportsthat several foods within the country are so contaminated that Chinese citizens don’t trust them. What’s more, the countries that import these…

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[whitetoque]

3. Organic Crop Protection

• Amazon, Whole Foods lowers prices…again | Produce Retailer Just in time for the biggest cooking holiday of the year, Amazon and Whole Foods announced fresh price reductions.

Whole Foods’ new reductions are a part of the ongoing integration with Amazon, said CEO John Mackey, “and we’re just getting started.”

“In the few months we’ve been working together, our partnership has proven to be a great…

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[sabrinawhill]

USDA Strengthens Integrity of the Organic Label

USDA Strengthens Integrity of the Organic Label

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) announced a final rule that strengthens the integrity of the organic label by clarifying production requirements for organic livestock and poultry. The final rule establishes a level playing field for organic producers, bolsters consumer confidence in the organic label, and ensures that all organic animals live in…

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[organiclifestylemagazine]

Wellness by Design: How to Start Creating an Organic Way of Life

If you have decided to commit to living a more organic lifestyle (for personal health and for the preservation of the environment), the transition is one that does not happen overnight. Every step you take that transforms your daily habits to healthy ones will have an impact on your wellness.

The hard part is not deciding whether or not an organic lifestyle will benefit you and your family, but rather knowing where to begin. The conscious choice to use organic products in your home is a positive step, but finding a way to make organic living fit with your budget can be a challenge.

Organic products are harder to find and typically more expensive than mass produced products. To the average consumer, this makes buying organic “extra work” compared to shopping for other brands and products. But you will need to decide if the benefits outweigh the financial cost of living an organic lifestyle.

Organic Product and Groceries: How to Spot Fake “Organic” Labeling

If you visit your local grocery store, the first thing you will notice is that organic produce (fruits and vegetables) and dry goods tend to be higher priced. It is unfortunate that making a healthier choice costs more money, but understanding why organic products are more expensive is important to support your purchase decision.

The impulse to save money is a good one, and natural. Mass produced foods have an advantage over foods that are manufactured, grown, and harvested in a more conscientious way. Certified organic food is limited in quantity because it is produced without the use of artificial fertilizers and pesticides.

Know your labels and your suppliers. Eager to capitalize on consumers who want truly organic products that are devoid of harmful pesticides or preservatives and other chemicals, many food manufacturers like to use the term “organic” on their packaging. This makes differentiating between truly organic foods and imposter brands, which are permitted to mislead consumers with vague and inaccurate advertising.

In the United States, the problem begins with the USDA which allows manufacturers some leeway in the way they advertise and package their foods.

Organic can refer to products that contain at least 90% organic ingredients. These products may have pesticides, growth hormones, antibiotics and other chemical agents in them that have shown to be harmful to human health. They can still be labeled ‘Organic’ according to the USDA guidelines.

Labels that read ‘Made from Organic Products’ are required to have 75% organic ingredients. Again, there are no guidelines about the other 25% of the ingredients, which can pose a health risk if used or consumed.

Some products are advertised as ‘natural’ or “grass fed” with regards to meat products. The USDA does not recognize these terms, and no guidelines are provided for manufacturers. A “natural”product can contain unlimited unnatural and harmful ingredients, and still inaccurately represent itself as a “natural” brand.

When a product is 100% Certified Organic, you can be certain that you are purchasing a quality, naturally grown, chemical free product, fruit, vegetable, or consumer good. In order for a manufacturer or producer to advertise as 100% Certified Organic, they must use organic ingredients only and follow very strict guidelines from the USDA.

Read your labels carefully and wherever possible, purchase only products that are 100% Certified Organic for peace of mind and healthy living. Other types of products which contain “mostly” organic materials or food ingredients are better than choosing brands that are not organic at all.

Ultimately, the higher the percentage of organic food and products you consume, the lower your intake and exposure to harmful carcinogens, antibiotics, hormones, and other compounds that have been clinically shown to increase rates of cancer and chronic disease in human beings. Avoid processed foods for higher quality nutrition and reduced toxins in your food.

Going Organic in Your Home

Did you know that you spend approximately 2,300 hours per year sleeping? During that time you are exposed to a variety of chemicals that are discharged from the type of bedding you choose, the detergents you use, and other elements within your bedroom that are inhaled with toxic effects.

Everyone loves a scented oil burner and they are a convenient way to add a pleasing fragrance to your bedroom. Did you know that scented burners (whether melted wax or plug-in heated oil diffusers) contribute to increased levels of VOC’s (volatile organic compounds) in your home? At night, you could be spending as much as eight hours inhaling a cocktail of chemicals that can create a significant health risk over time. The bedroom is the most hazardous place to add artificial scents simply because of the amount of time you spend there.

Scented air fresheners (including spray bottles used in bathrooms) can contain phthalates and terpene. Both compounds when combined with ozone and oxygen create formaldehyde indoors, similar to the toxicity levels of sleeping beside a photocopier or laser printer. The particles in the air (formaldehyde) are classified as a human carcinogen by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) and the World Health Organization. They are also reported to increase rates of respiratory disorders including the formation of asthma; some studies have linked the increased cultural acceptance of indoor air fresheners with pandemic levels of new asthma cases around the world.

There are a number of resources online that can help you make the switch and reduce the chemical load in your home by suggesting 100% Certified Organic cleaning products. Many consumers have researched homemade cleaning solutions that can be affordably made at home, which include natural antibacterial agents in lemon and oranges, and white vinegar. Your health (and home) will thank you for making the switch.

Other sources of volatile organic compounds (VOC’s) include:

Artificial and non-organic bedding and linens.

Stain-resistant coatings and treatments on furnishings and carpets.

Commercial versus organic mattresses and bedding.

Scent-boosting laundry products and anti-static sheets.

Perfumes and scented body products.

Flea and tick medications (pesticides applied to pets).

Mold from houseplants.

Cat litter.

Carpet powders and cleaning supplies.

Conclusion

It is never too early or too late to begin making the change to organic products and groceries. To save even more money and prevent waste, shop for smaller amounts of fresh produce more regularly. Eating fruits and vegetables at their peak in freshness helps optimize the amount of nutrients you receive (and health benefits) from your produce. Support organic brands and manufacturers and feel good about a new lifestyle that protects your health and the environment.

Recommended Reading:

8 Easy Steps to Health

Detox Cheap and Easy Without Fasting – Recipes Included

How To Detoxify and Heal From Vaccinations – For Adults and Children

Wellness by Design: How to Start Creating an Organic Way of Life was originally published on Organic Lifestyle Magazine

[athleticaone]

Why You Can No Longer Trust The USDA Organic Label

"USDA Organic" is simply a marketing term those who take government ethics at face value. The goal has always been to increase agricultural sales, not promote organic farming. The public seems to confide in this label through sheer ignorance. The National Organic Program (NOP) which governs the "USDA Organic" label has no interest in organic farming, improving soil, quality of the produce, or factors that pollute the environment. In another blow to their organics program that will further downgrade consumer confidence, the USDA announced this week that the agency has changed the process for exempting otherwise prohibited substances (such as synthetics) in food that carries the "organic or "made with organic" label. This decision makes it easier to continue use of artificial ingredients and substances, undermining integrity of the organic label. Continue reading on Preventdisease.com.

[lonmcq]

Farmers, Trade Association Debate Merits Of Organic Marketing Fund

Farmers, Trade Association Debate Merits Of Organic Marketing Fund

by Luke Runyon

Produce is often accompanied by signs like this one at a King Soopers grocery store in Fort Collins, Colo. But customers are often confused by their meaning, which is one reason the Organic Trade Association is trying to raise money for a “checkoff” to pay for consumer advertising and research. Luke Runyon/Harvest Public Media/KUNC

Pesticide-free? Nurtured with organic fertilizer?…

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