What does it mean to be 'organic'?
Depending on the context, the word can change meaning. For example, different types of food have different requirements to be determined organic. The United States Department of Agriculture has acknowledged three food types that can be categorized as organic. These are produce, meat and dairy, and eggs. Basically, for all food items, it is deemed organic if it is as natural as possible. For any item to be considered USDA Certified Organic with a seal, it has to go through a costly and lengthy process. However, not every farm has the time or money to undergo this process, so their products may be organic, just not with the official certificate and accompanying seal.
Produce
For produce to be deemed organic, it has to be considered to be as natural as it possibly can be. The USDA requires that the produce be grown without being genetically modified/engineered, without the use of synthetic fertilizers, sewage, sludge, or irradiation. The produce must also use natural processes, or possibly even mechanical, but not chemical. For the Department of Agriculture to approve the produce as USDA Certified Organic it has to be grown with specific guidelines. These guidelines have specific requirements and considerations that include soil quality, pest and weed control, and the use of additives. Everything must be government certified, including what is used to grow the produce, the process and equipment used, as well as the workers, before the produce can have a USDA Certified Organic seal.
Meat and Dairy
Meat and dairy is considered organic when the animals have been raised by specific welfare considerations, given no growth hormones or antibiotics, have been given outside space to roam, and fed with natural products. Everything the animals eat cannot have any GMO crops or animal byproduct in the food. The land where there food is grown also has to be organic, in that it does not have any chemicals or chemical processes added into the production. In the case of one of these animals gets injured or becomes ill, a veterinarian may treat it with the necessary medical treatments, but the meat or dairy product may not be labeled as organic.
Eggs
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Hens in an open environment
Eggs have to meet the USDA's National Organic Standards to officially be considered organic. Inspection and accreditation happen annually so inspectors can be sure the farms are treating their hens up to code. The hens have to be fed with organic, completely natural, feed. Just like in the cases of meat and dairy animals, hens are not allowed to be injected with any hormones and antibiotics if they want to be labeled organic. Only in the case of extreme disease or outbreak may antibiotics be rendered. Finally, the hens have to be in an open environment, meaning they cannot be caged animals (www.eatocracy.cnn.com).