Foods certified by the National Organic Program (NOP) must be grown and processed using organic farming methods without synthetic pesticides, bioengineered genes, petroleum-based fertilizers and sewage sludge-based fertilizers. Organic livestock cannot be fed antibiotics or growth hormones. The term "organic" is not synonymous with "natural." The USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) defines “natural†as “a product containing no artificial ingredient or added color and is only minimally processed (a process which does not fundamentally alter the raw product) may be labeled natural.
I'm sure you can get a more detailed explaination on the USDA web site.
Tony M
added note: The NOP rules allow small farmers and handlers who follow the national organic standards to sell their product as “organicâ€, if and only if they: a) sell less than $5,000 worth of organic agricultural products per year; and b) follow the national standards for production, labeling, and record keeping.
As always, "buyer beware"
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