Organic food sounds healthy, meaning it's free of pesticides and chemicals. What else is its difference from the regular food? Organic pertains to the way agricultural products are grown and processed.  Meaning these products have no modifications and have grown in pure soil.

Organic food is the absence of bioengineered genes or (GMOs), synthetic pesticides, and fertilizers. Organic livestock on the other hand means these animals feed organically and don't feed on animal-by-products, growth hormones or antibiotics.

According to the Soil Association, foods are labeled as organic when at least 95 percent of the ingredients came from natural or organically-produced plants and animals. 

Every organic food falls under EU 834/2007 and 889/2008 that connotes that it has been inspected and has passed certifications from the Soil Association Certification.

How would you identify an organic food in the market?

Mayo Clinic reports that all organic foods must meet certain government standards as regulated by the US Department of Agriculture (USDA).  This means an organic food that comes out in the market must be USDA certified.

How would you know if its 100 percent organic? A food is tagged 100 percent organic if it carries the seal of USDA. Be it fruit, vegetable, any ingredient or bread.  Therefore, an organic seal from the USDA can be categorized as:

It is tagged as Organic, if it is at least 95 percent organic.

It is labeled 100 Percent organic, if it contains all organic ingredients or it is completely organic.

If a product contains at least 70 percent organic ingredients, then it will be labeled as "made with organic ingredients."

If a product contains less than 70 percent organic ingredients, then the food can't contain USDA seal or can't use the word "organic" but may include the organic ingredients in the ingredients list.

Organic food is always better choice over the regular ones. It has fewer pesticides, fresher as it tastes better and last longer. When you patronize organic farming, it helps save the environment from pollution, and it saves erosion.

The next time you visit the grocery, make sure to go for organic food that offers more benefits for your health and the environment.