Just recently, the federal government released its new proposed rules concerning organic foods, and its about time. As American consumers demonstrate a growing willingness to pay more for food identified as organic, it is time for the enactment of some national standards to ensure uniformity.

The proposed rules are designed to ensure that consumers understand what it is that they are buying when the package says "organic." Specifically, the rules help guarantee that food claiming to be organic was actually grown without the use of man-made chemicals.

Food that is grown and processed within the new guidelines will be authorized to carry a seal reflecting satisfaction of the Department of Agriculture's standards. While there are approximately 10,000 farmers in the U.S. who make assertions that they are growing organic products, only 6,600 are approved by various certifying agencies as organic growers.

A single national organic standard will be established under these proposed guidelines. Without this single standard, various states are free to decide what is and what is not organic, within the confines of their own borders. Of course, this has made interstate selling difficult. A national standard ensures that everyone is talking about exactly the same thing.

According to be Department of Agriculture, its first set of organic food rule proposals was published in 1997. The Agency states that it received over 275,000 comments criticizing its first attempt and they had to be re-written. The new rule proposals are the Agency's second chance at getting this right.

Unlike the 1997 effort, the new regulations would prohibit the use of genetic engineering, and sewage sludge as fertilizer. States are free to adopt their own program. If the federal government approves a state program, the state can carry out the product review and approval process.

There are exemptions applicable to companies selling less than $5 thousand per year in product. They can make organic claims without receiving prior government approval. Such companies must still meet federal requirements.

Growing fields have certain requirements as well. Among others, they must be free from non-organic crop growth for at least three years. In addition, preference is given to organic seeds. Apparently some farmers have been using sewer sludge as fertilizer. Farmers seeking organic certification will not be able to continue this process.

In addition animals taken to slaughter must be raised with organic food from their first day of life. In the case of poultry, organic food must start on the second day of life. I guess they can eat whatever they want on day One. The livestock must also have access to the outdoors, unless they are confined for reasons of health and safety.

Foods that are labeled 100 percent organic must contain only organically produced or processed products. Products labeled organic must consist of at least 95 organically produced ingredients. Truthfully, I think people are going to be confused between the "100% organic" and the "organic" designations. There are large fines which may be assessed against any one who knowingly mislabels a product.

Under the proposal, products containing 50-95% organic ingredients can use the phrase "made with organic." Up to three ingredients can be identified in this manner. If a product contains less than 50% organic ingredients, its labeling cannot contain any organic claims.

Do you think you have seen everything? Consider this: Pascoes is a British organic dog food company. As of now, this product is not available for sale in the United State. So far, Fido can only pick up his organic grub in Europe. Now, you have seen everything.

Published: July 13, 2000

Use of this article without permission is a violation of federal copyright laws.