What is in this article?:
- Labels decoded
- Organic certifiers
- USDA Certified Organic
- Fair Trade Certified
- Whole Grain
- Certified Biodynamic
- Certified Humane Raised and Handled
- Rainforest Alliance Certified
- MSC Certified
- Certified Naturally Grown
- Certified Vegan
- Certified Gluten-Free
- NSF Made with Organic
- Natural Products Association Certified
How do you know which labels you can really trust? Start with these 12, which have a clear purpose and process behind the certifications.
Certified Biodynamic
Who’s behind it:
Demeter (demeter-usa.org), a nonprofit organization that has certified biodynamic food since 1985.
What it means:
*Farms don’t use synthetic pesticides and fertilizers.
*The certified product met the same 3-year transition requirement as the NOP for certified organic farming.
*The farm is managed as though it were a living organism, so the entire farm is certified biodynamic rather than just a particular crop.
*There is minimal product manipulation and the use of few imported materials.
*Demeter inspectors annually ensure products and farms meet the processing and farming standards required to use the terms Biodynamic, Demeter, and Demeter Certified Biodynamic.
Look for it on:
Produce, coffee, tea, cosmetics, personal care, meat, poultry, processed products, herbs, spices, and wine.
