Misconception: Oregon Tilth Organic, etc, is better than USDA Organic Oregon Tilth, QAI, etc are all third-party certifiers under the National Organic Program. No modifications to the Oregon Tilth Certified Organic logo are allowed. When you’re reading the ingredients list and looking for which ones are organic, remember that the farther down it is on the list, the less of it there is (and vice versa). Fruits and vegetables with this label are always 100% organic. Organic food is produced without using most conventional pesticides; fertilizers made with synthetic ingredients or sewage sludge; bioengineering; or ionizing radiation. Email | organic@tilth.org
Feeling a bit more informed about organic labels? Connie Carr, the certification director at Oregon Tilth, which inspects and certifies food producers for the USDA, says farmers take advantage of it. Most organic regulations prohibit the use of pesticides and most other synthetic chemicals, along with irradiation, fertilizers made with synthetic ingredients and bioengineering [aka GMOs]. All living things are largely carbon-based and many synthetic compounds include carbon molecules too, so – to a chemist – almost everything is organic. Lovin the Classic Rose Blossom diaper print! Fruits and vegetables with this label are always 100% organic. Before a product can be labeled ‘organic,’ a Government-approved certifier inspects the farm where the food is grown to make sure the farmer is following all the rules necessary to meet USDA organic standards. Even if it’s imported – it still has to meet the same requirements. I tried to find answers on the USDA site but being that it's a government site, it's not easy to navigate. Toll Free | 1.877.378.0690
It is responsible for developing national standards for organically-produced agricultural products. Our mission is to make our food system and agriculture biologically sound and socially equitable. Get 30% off (almost) everything w/ code: BRIGHT30 *exclusions apply, Get 40% off your first month's Diapers + Wipes Subscription w/ code: THANKS40 *exclusions apply, Stay Safe on the Go with our Alcohol Wipes + Hand Sanitizer Spray | Shop Now, FDA does NOT define or regulate organic body care. The USDA has a cost-share program that reimburses farmers 75 percent of the cost of certification, up to $750 per type of farming. How does that work? Save 17% on every order + get 15% off select add-on items. Variations of the Oregon Tilth seal approved for use are on our Help Center. Oregon Tilth has multiple marks that constitute a bad record. We recommend submitting your labels to OTCO before you print them — even if the change was small. Download the documents and forms you need. They write: Organic is all about how a product or food is grown and processed. Here are a few of the standards they certify for: Since 1944, NSF has been a leading agency developing a wide range of public health standards and certification programs that help protect the world’s food, water, consumer products and environment. “Made with organic ingredients” – Foods that contain at least 70% organic ingredients may list specific organic ingredients on the front of the package, but cannot use the USDA seal. But, if you still have lingering questions, as always we encourage you to leave them in the comments and we’d be happy to help answer them. The USDA doesn't actually go out and inspect farms or organic processing facilities--that's the job of the third-party certifiers. One more thing, the USDA is the regulating agency for food, but the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is the regulating agency for cosmetics and body care products. The NSF labeling differs a little from the USDA labeling we outline above, but the organic standards themselves (how things are grown and processed) are exactly the same. The National Organic Program (NOP) is a regulatory program housed within the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service. The FDA does NOT define or regulate organic body care, but if a body care product uses organic agricultural products, it can still get certification through the USDA program — in which case, the standards and labeling categories above apply exactly the same. Oregon Tilth is one of the biggest USDA NOP accredited certifiers (the USDA oversees the regulations, but does not actually have any direct interaction with growers or producers). 7 CFR Part 205 . NO CODE NEEDED, RESTRICTIONS APPLY. We sure hope so! As an OTCO-certified organic processor or handler, you may use the USDA NOP organic seal as well as choose from a number of our logos. They are allowable and necessary in body care products because the formulation needs are very different from food, and because you’re not eating the products. This is a great question! If you’ve been following along very closely, you’ll noticed that up above we said that all organic products had to meet the USDA standards, but then there seems to be some loopholes with ingredients and labeling on NSF products. First, let’s define “organic.” In trying to describe it in the broadest sense, we really couldn’t say it better than NSF International (who you’ll learn more about later). Through onsite inspections and a review of the company’s organic system plan and documentation, these agents verify that organic products are produced and handled according to strict standards. Well, it’s because the USDA organic program oversees agricultural products and the NSF organic seal is for personal care products. I know that Oregon Tilth requires all of the products in the process to be organic. As per the manufacturers, you need to consume it for at least three weeks to see the results. as an Accredited Certifying Agent . Crops, Wild Crops, Livestock and Handling Operations . Depending on your product’s percentage of organic content, you may (or may not) make certain organic claims on specific parts of your product label. Companies that handle or process organic food before it gets to your local supermarket or restaurant must be certified, too. The guiding principles of the NSF organic standard are parallel to those of the USDA organic standard, but are focused on the unique requirements of personal care product formulations. As per the manufacturers, you need to consume it for at least three weeks to see the results. Selling products with unapproved labels could jeopardize your certification. Find the Honestly Perfect Gift for New & Expecting Parents! For other label claims, you’ll need to calculate your product’s percentage of organic content . FREE GROUND SHIPPING IN THE CONTIGUOUS US WITH A BEAUTY PURCHASE. Oregon Tilth answers to the USDA NOP. Once you have finalized your label composition, submit it to OTCO for review and approval. So, USDA organic and Oregon Tilth Organic are one and the same. The NSF Organic certification mirrors the USDA Organic Certification in most aspects, however the "made with" category differs slightly in the allowance of several processes and ingredients that are currently banned by the USDA, including certain synthetic preservatives and biodegradable surfactants. I know that Oregon Tilth requires all of the products in the process to be organic. Printing an unapproved label could result in a costly reprinting and repackaging job. Connie Carr, the certification director at Oregon Tilth, which inspects and certifies food producers for the USDA, says farmers take advantage of it. 2525 SE 3rd Street, Corvallis, OR 97333 USA Our eco-friendly* diapers got you covered! Stay up-to-date on Honest products, promotions and blog articles. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified expert with any questions you may have regarding a medical question, condition, or safety concern. The 1990 Organic Foods Production Act created the USDA National Organic Program (NOP) and a single set of rules that would govern the production, labeling and marketing of organic … And, in this context, it also has no relation to organic chemistry. 2012-2020 The Honest Company, Inc. All Rights Reserved. For other label claims, you’ll need to calculate your product’s percentage of organic content. Previously, organic certifiers each had their own standards, but in 2002 the USDA National Organic Program took effect, and the NOP Final Rule became the universal standard used for certifying organic products in the U.S. Now, when you pick up a product labeled organic you know that it was certified to the same standard as all other organic products, regardless of who certified it. Phone | 503.378.0690
Fruits and vegetables with this label are always 100% organic. Our Black Friday / Cyber Monday Sale is HERE - Don't miss out on our biggest sale of the year! Includes 7 packs of hypoallergenic diapers + 4 packs of plant-based wipes. We’re no strangers to these questions because we have products covering the gamut of these certifications, so today we’re sharing all the basics of what you need to know about organic labels. I tried to find answers on the USDA site but being that it's a …