Organic Food

Organic food is a labeling term used to identify foods that have been produced and processed using natural, environmentally friendly, and ecologically balanced techniques. In the United States, food and agricultural products must meet specific requirements established by the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) to legally qualify for organic labeling. Key USDA requirements include prohibitions on synthetic fertilizers and pesticides and strict limits on the use of additives. Organic farming operations must also actively seek to conserve their local natural environments. Animals raised for the purposes of producing organic meat must be permitted to engage in natural activities, such as pasture grazing. They must also be reared using only organic animal feed and cannot be given antibiotics, hormones, or other...