Choosing the Right Organic Label

As more people look for organic labels at farmer’s markets and supermarkets, many farmers and agricultural businesses are going organic.  Becoming a certified organic producer can be a complicated and costly process.  However, you do not have to produce only organic goods in order to use an organic label on your products.

The United State Department of Agriculture (USDA) regulates the wording of organic labels.  The kind of organic label you should use depends on the percentage of organic ingredients in your product.  If your product contains only organic ingredients, you may use a label that says “100% organic.”  If you sell a product that contains at least 95% organic ingredients, but up to 5% non-organic ingredients, you can advertise your product as “organic” without specifying a percentage.  If your product uses up to 30% conventional ingredients, but is at least 70% organic, you can use a “made with organic ingredients” label.  Each of these rules is subject to some restrictions, so you should consult an attorney or the USDA to ensure compliance.

Having an organic label can help your agribusiness attract dedicated consumers.  Many consumers are willing to pay more for organic products.  The label you use will help determine how people perceive your product, but the label must comply with the USDA’s specific organic regulations.  If you do not use the right terminology on your product’s label, you could incur expensive fines and alienate your customers.

For more information on organic labeling conventions, contact the Des Moines agribusiness attorneys of LaMarca & Landry, P.C.  by calling 877-327-2600.