Green Circle Speaks Out】-U.S.A.D.A.（USDA）Organic Certification Compliance

USDA Organic Certification Explained

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) is the official department of the U.S. federal government responsible for formulating and implementing national agriculture, food, forestry, rural development, and nutrition policies. In the United States, the use of the term "organic" is regulated by the USDA. Any agricultural product that claims to be "Organic" or uses the USDA Organic label on its packaging must comply with the USDA Organic Commodity Code.
In order to be sold or labeled or advertised as "Organic" in the United States, agricultural products (whether raw or processed) must be certified under the USDA Organic Commodity Code or an international standard recognized by the USDA as having the same effect. In either case, the commodity must be:

• Produced according to USDA organic requirements;
• (b) comply with the organic labeling requirements; and
• Labeled with the name of the person who authenticated the product.
  The USDA Organic Commodity Code establishes specific standards for the use of the USDA Organic label and the "Organic/Organic" statement. For more information on the USDA Organic Commodity Code and labeling requirements, see the USDA Organic Commodity Code and the USDA website. Below are several types of "Organic/Organic" claims and their key requirements:
  "100 Percent Organic": For products labeled as containing 100% organic ingredients (excluding water and minerals), only certified products may use the USDA Organic Mark or the Certification Body Mark, the "100 Percent Organic" claim. Only certified products may use the USDA Organic Mark or Certified Organic Organization Mark, "100 Percent Organic" organic claim.
  "Organic": Used to label products containing at least 95% organic ingredients (excluding water and minerals), only certified products may use the USDA Organic Mark or Certified Organic Mark, "Organic" / "X% Organic" declaration. Only certified products may use the USDA Organic Mark or Certified Organization Mark, "Organic" / "X% Organic" organic claims.
  "Made with Organic __": used to label products containing at least 70% Organic Ingredients (excluding water and minerals), which shall not contain the USDA Organic label anywhere, nor shall the finished product be labeled as an "Organic/Organic" product or state "Made with Organic Ingredients", but may state "Made with Organic (insert up to three ingredients or ingredient categories)". Organic" products or state "Made with Organic Ingredients", but may state "Made with Organic (insert up to three ingredients or ingredient categories)". However, you may state "Made with Organic (insert up to three ingredients or ingredient types)".
  Specific Organic Ingredient List: Products with organic content below 70% may not include the USDA organic label or the term "organic/organic" anywhere, and may only list certified organic ingredients as organic and as a percentage of organic in the ingredient list.

Non-compliance