Shopping for Organics
With organic foods becoming increasingly popular, we wanted to offer a brief overview on what this term means. If you have any other questions about organic or natural foods, please ask our “Natural Experts” in our Nature’s Marketplace.
View Wegmans Organic Items
What is Organic?
Organic is a way of growing crops in greater harmony with nature, without using synthetic pesticides, fertilizers, antibiotics or growth hormones.
What is “Certified Organic”?
Certified Organic products must be grown and processed according to the USDA Organic Standards with inspections to verify organic authenticity.
Organic foods are:
- Regulated by strict standards and yearly inspections.
- As low as possible in synthetic chemicals (pesticides, fungicides & fertilizers)
- Processed without synthetic colors, flavors, preservatives and other common additives.
- In greater harmony with nature using methods to protect soil, water and air quality.
- Safer for farmers to grow.
Organic foods are not necessarily:
- More nutritious than other foods. Freshness and level of refining have greater impact on nutrients.
- Pesticide-free. Some chemicals persist in the soil for years; others come from nearby farms or water supplies.
Reasons to buy organic:
- To protect the environment.
- To reduce chemicals in your food.
- To avoid genetically engineered food.
- To avoid food processed with irradiation.
- To avoid use of antibiotics and synthetic growth hormones in animals.
Reasons not to buy organic:
- Products often cost more.
Organic label terms: 100% Organic
All contents are certified organic.
May display the USDA Organic Seal. Organic
At least 95% of contents are certified organic.
May display the USDA Organic Seal.
| | |
 | |
Made with Organic Ingredients
70% or more of the ingredients by weight are organic.
May not use the USDA Organic Seal.
No mention on front panel
If less than 70% organic content, may say organic only
as part of the product’s ingredient list. |
Modified with permission.
©2003 Linda McDonald Associates, Inc., dba SUPERMARKET SAVVY®, Houston, TX,
www.supermarketsavvy.com
