Organic food can mean a number of things and it can feel confusing when trying to make the best decision for your family, when going through the grocery aisles! Let me share with you what Organic means, the different categories, and how it affects your food so you can make the best decision for you and your family. 
When it comes to food, Organic refers to a way of farming where produce is grown without the use of pesticides, synthetic fertilizers, sewage sludge, genetically modified organisms, or ionizing radiation. With livestock, the animals producing meat, poultry, eggs, and dairy products do not take antibiotics or growth hormones. Now I’m sure organic farmers have found ways to grow crops with some sort of natural pest control so they can mass produce.  But going these extra steps costs more money.  This is why organic goods are more expensive.
 
The following 4 categories, for organic labeling, have been established by the USDA. 

100% Organic. All ingredients are certified organic; label has to include the Certifying Agent. These products can use the USDA seal.
Organic. At least 95% or more ingredients are certified organic. USDA Organic seal is used.
Made With Organic Ingredients. Food items contain at least 70% certified organic ingredients. USDA organic seal NOT allowed, and the label must identify organic ingredients used. 
Specific Organic Ingredients.  Product has less than 70% certified organic ingredients. USDA seal NOT allowed. Item cannot be listed as organic; may only list specific and percentage of organic ingredients. 

 
Organic disqualification also includes the use of Irradiation OR Genetically Modified Organisms.
In this episode I talk about the EWG’s list of Dirty Dozen and Clean 15 foods and how you can use these lists to decide what you want to buy organic.
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Show notes  http://beyondburnout.com/40
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