Today many consumers purchase more natural products from food to personal care items, thinking it is the same as organic. But the truth is, there is a big difference in natural and organic.
Labels can be misleading, but you must be an informed consumer and look past all the marketing that captures your attention and know what the terminology means and what the brand is telling you.
You would think you can trust what you read on the label, but should you stop at what you read on a label, or do little further research? I say, do a little more research and be an informed consumer about everything you purchase.
Natural and Organic
Whenever you see natural labeled on anything you purchase from food to personal care products, you may assume that it is organic, but it really isn’t organic. Yes, the product you purchased has natural ingredients, but this does not ensure the product is organic. This doesn’t mean that it isn’t good for you. Just know that natural does not always equal organic.
If you see organic on a label, you still cannot assume that it is 100% organic. Why? Because brands sometimes have the term organic on the label, but make sure you read the label very carefully. The brand can say they have organic ingredients, but the product may not be all organic.
The only way you can be sure that a product is completely organic is when you see the USDA seal of approval, which signifies that the product has passed the USDA certified organic standards. If you do not see label, then you know the product is not completely organic.
Don’t let the terminology of natural and organic fool you. They are not created equal.
Is organic better?
Yes and no.
First let’s look at why organic is better. Organic foods are produced without the use of outside/external products, such as growth hormones and pesticides.
The USDA provides three definitions of organic food.
- Organic food is produced by farmers who emphasize the use of renewable resources and the conservation of soil and water to enhance environmental quality for future generations.
- Organic meat, poultry, eggs, and dairy products come from animals that are given no antibiotics or growth hormones.
- Organic food is produced without using most conventional pesticides; fertilizers made with synthetic ingredients or sewage sludge; bioengineering; or ionizing radiation.
What You Should Buy Organic
It is especially good to purchase organic varieties of fruits and vegetables that are known to have high pesticide/fungicide levels. But other than that, not everything you eat needs to be organic. You can learn more about those fruits and vegetables that you should consider buying organic from the Environmental Working Group.
It is also expensive to eat 100% organic, at least it is for me. Just know that there is no need for all of your food to be organic, unless you want it to be and can afford it.
When it comes to personal care products, if you want organic personal care products, make sure it has the USDA stamp of approval. Even if you see the USDA label, it doesn’t mean that product will work for you. Sometimes you can have allergic reactions to some of the ingredients in the certified organic product, so be very careful.
Just because it has the USDA label doesn’t mean it is good for you.
In some cases, organic is not always better. This is the case when it comes to junk foods, like cakes, cookies, and other organic snacks. Yes, the USDA label may be on your favorite snack, but that snack may not be the healthiest. Make sure you read the label closely, especially when it comes to the sugar, salt, oil and other ingredients that may not be so healthy for you. Just because it has the USDA label doesn’t mean it is good for you.
Are brands truthful?
I say for the most part that brands are truthful, but it is up to you, the consumer, to read the labels very closely. Don’t assume just because your favorite product says it is organic that it is 100% organic. It might just have a few organic ingredients and that’s it.
A brand is only truly organic when you see the stamp of approval from the USDA. Look past the words natural and see what the brand is saying. This means you must take time to read the label.
Discussion: Do you read labels and do you trust the brand?
Evelyn’s answers: Yes, I read labels and yes, I trust the brands I use (food and personal care).
Image: m_bartosch / FreeDigitalPhotos.net
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@Mywritingworld Glad you enjoyed this article. Yeah, it is always good to know the difference, so that we make wise choices with our money.
Take care,
Evelyn
Loved reading the article. the difference between natural or organic is eye opening. Great detail about organic goods and not so good. A great addition to healthy eating information.
Fran A
@John Garrett Hi John! I’ll definitely check out the video. Hmmm, organic hot dogs?? They probably do make them. If there is organic meats, fish and chicken, I’m sure there’s an organic hot dog or two around. You might find them in a Whole Foods.
)
That’s cool! Whole Foods has a pretty good selection. Get enough for me.
@Johnny_Optimo Hi Johnny, Yes, selecting organic meats is a much better choice. I agree with you about the avocados and I’m the same way when it comes to bananas.
Thanks for stopping by and sharing, Johnny!
Hi Kathy, I’m sure your kids are glad their mom took the time to read the labels. I’m that kind of mom too. lol My daughter gets very restless when we are shopping, but hey, I gotta read those labels.
I find that Farmers Markets are great places to find deals on organic produce. But when I can’t get there, I just get those foods that I know is on the dirty dozens list.
I’ve had reactions to natural products too. Some essential oils and extracts actually can cause allergic reactions. So we must be very careful.
Thanks for chiming in!
Oh my gosh Evelyn I am a label freak! The kids used to hate shopping with me for that very reason. Now that they are grown, they thank me for it. I do agree that eating organic is quite expensive and can to afford it at this time. I do try to buy organic veggies and fruits when I can.
I have very sensitive skin and found that many natural products cause itching for me. Some plant roots will cause a reaction on my skin as will mineral powders.
Very much enjoyed the information Evelyn. It can be difficult to determine what action to take regarding organic and natural. It was helpful to find an honest overview of the pros and cons of both.
@Johnny_Optimo Thanks.
@John Garrett LOL You know I think organic hot dogs would fall under the 2nd definition. Go hot dogs. I love them.
I’m happy you made a section on whether or not organic is actually better… I agree that in most cases it is, but it really varies from product to product. I like organic meats because the animals are treated better, and I like organic lettuce and other stuff that’s very exposed and close to the ground. For something like an avocado which has thick skin, however, I’m not really concerned with organic.
I totally agree on the natural vs. organic thing though, people are so confused about it.
Anyway, my name Is Johnny and I’m a writer at http://optimostrategy.com – not really related to natural foods but definitely related to business. Nice blog btw, bookmarking :]
Hey Evelyn! It’s funny you posted this right now I had just watched a Penn & Teller episode on organic foods this weekend (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ENF-2RWIGQw).
I have a lot of friends who are big proponents of organic foods, but what I like about your approach is that you’re not saying it’s the be-all-end-all and that it’s always the best for everyone. Usually I’m wary of those sorts of statements.
I noticed in my area the Pick & Save chain is not a provider of a large variety of organic foods, which I think is kind of a hurdle for some people. I might swing into a Whole Foods or some other place and just try out a few organic alternatives of my staples.
Hey do they make organic hot dogs?