Natural vs. Organic: What's Truth and What's Hype?
By: Stepfanie Romine,
DailySpark Blogger
7/14/2009 10:00 AM
: 56 comments
: 22,649 Views
Pop quiz: Which is the best product description to read on a food label?
A. “100% natural”
B. “All natural ingredients”
C. “100% organic”
D. “Certified organic ingredients”
(Keep reading for the answer!)
This spring, Eco Pulse, a recent survey conducted by the Shelton Group, asked that same question, and though natural and organic foods are now available in seven in 10 supermarkets nationwide, according to the Food Marketing Institute, most of the 1,006 respondents didn't do so well.
We're paying more attention to the food that goes into our mouths.
Sales of natural and organic food topped $28 billion in 2006, according to the Nutrition Business Journal, with demand for organic foods alone increasing 22 percent, to almost $17 billion.
However, as consumers try to become more discerning at the supermarket, the buzzwords used on food labels are growing more complicated and convoluted. Whether you want the greenest option or products that are minimally processed and free of laboratory-created ingredients, all those grandiose marketing claims can confound even the savviest shopper.
“Many consumers do not understand green terminology,” said Suzanne Shelton of the Shelton Group.
In a world where burgers are "now made with real beef," carrots are labeled cholesterol-free and sugary drinks are sold as vitamin supplements, what's hype and what's healthy?
It's no wonder that consumers are confused!
“They prefer the word ‘natural’ over the term ‘organic,’ thinking organic is more of an unregulated marketing buzzword that means the product is more expensive. In reality, the opposite is true: ‘Natural’ is the unregulated word. Organic foods must meet government standards to be certified as such," said Shelton.
The choice isn't immediately clear: Potato chips can be organic. High fructose corn syrup, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, is natural. So which term is "best"?
While the structure of the original question implies that the choice is a subjective one, the correct answer is C, 100% organic. Labeling does get a bit complicated, and as with any rules, some companies bend them more than others. Here, we'll examine each of the answers and their basic meaning.
Natural
"Natural," “100% natural” and “all natural ingredients” are misleading and unregulated. What clout the term does hold refers to the processing of food after harvest or slaughter, not the method in which it was grown or raised.
The terms are not regulated by the USDA, except for meat and poultry. In the past, "natural" was used as a synonym for "healthy" but now is a euphemism for "fewer processed ingredients," "no longer containing corn syrup," and other general claims.
According to the Food Marketing Institute, most foods labeled as natural aren't held to any special regulations or controls. They must meet the general controls for food safety, but that's it.
"Natural" meat and poultry must be free of artificial colors, flavors, sweeteners, preservatives and other such ingredients. They are minimally processed and must contain labels that explain the term "natural." It does not, however, refer to how the meat was raised. Meat that was given growth hormones and antibiotics, if not overly processed during the butchering process and free of additives, can be labeled "natural."
"Natural" might conjure thoughts of fresh, minimally processed and healthy food, but it has nothing to do with a food's nutritional content, ingredients, safety, or health effects. Natural potato chips may use real potatoes (instead of flakes), but like regular potato chips, they are still a high-fat food choice with little nutritional content. Natural soda may be sweetened with cane juice (instead of corn syrup), but it can still contribute to weight gain when eaten in excess.
Organic
"Organic" refers to both the processing and production of food, and foods that bear such a label must meet or exceed standards set in 2002's National Organic Program. They are grown without synthetic pesticides, bioengineered genes, and fertilizers made with petroleum or sewage sludge. Organic foods must also be grown using tactics that promote biodiversity and renewable resources. Livestock labeled "organic" must have access to the outdoors and cannot be given antibiotics or growth hormones.
A. “100% natural”
B. “All natural ingredients”
C. “100% organic”
D. “Certified organic ingredients”
(Keep reading for the answer!)
This spring, Eco Pulse, a recent survey conducted by the Shelton Group, asked that same question, and though natural and organic foods are now available in seven in 10 supermarkets nationwide, according to the Food Marketing Institute, most of the 1,006 respondents didn't do so well.
We're paying more attention to the food that goes into our mouths.
Sales of natural and organic food topped $28 billion in 2006, according to the Nutrition Business Journal, with demand for organic foods alone increasing 22 percent, to almost $17 billion.
However, as consumers try to become more discerning at the supermarket, the buzzwords used on food labels are growing more complicated and convoluted. Whether you want the greenest option or products that are minimally processed and free of laboratory-created ingredients, all those grandiose marketing claims can confound even the savviest shopper.
“Many consumers do not understand green terminology,” said Suzanne Shelton of the Shelton Group.
In a world where burgers are "now made with real beef," carrots are labeled cholesterol-free and sugary drinks are sold as vitamin supplements, what's hype and what's healthy?
It's no wonder that consumers are confused!
“They prefer the word ‘natural’ over the term ‘organic,’ thinking organic is more of an unregulated marketing buzzword that means the product is more expensive. In reality, the opposite is true: ‘Natural’ is the unregulated word. Organic foods must meet government standards to be certified as such," said Shelton.
The choice isn't immediately clear: Potato chips can be organic. High fructose corn syrup, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, is natural. So which term is "best"?
While the structure of the original question implies that the choice is a subjective one, the correct answer is C, 100% organic. Labeling does get a bit complicated, and as with any rules, some companies bend them more than others. Here, we'll examine each of the answers and their basic meaning.
Natural
"Natural," “100% natural” and “all natural ingredients” are misleading and unregulated. What clout the term does hold refers to the processing of food after harvest or slaughter, not the method in which it was grown or raised.
The terms are not regulated by the USDA, except for meat and poultry. In the past, "natural" was used as a synonym for "healthy" but now is a euphemism for "fewer processed ingredients," "no longer containing corn syrup," and other general claims.
According to the Food Marketing Institute, most foods labeled as natural aren't held to any special regulations or controls. They must meet the general controls for food safety, but that's it.
"Natural" meat and poultry must be free of artificial colors, flavors, sweeteners, preservatives and other such ingredients. They are minimally processed and must contain labels that explain the term "natural." It does not, however, refer to how the meat was raised. Meat that was given growth hormones and antibiotics, if not overly processed during the butchering process and free of additives, can be labeled "natural."
"Natural" might conjure thoughts of fresh, minimally processed and healthy food, but it has nothing to do with a food's nutritional content, ingredients, safety, or health effects. Natural potato chips may use real potatoes (instead of flakes), but like regular potato chips, they are still a high-fat food choice with little nutritional content. Natural soda may be sweetened with cane juice (instead of corn syrup), but it can still contribute to weight gain when eaten in excess.
Organic
"Organic" refers to both the processing and production of food, and foods that bear such a label must meet or exceed standards set in 2002's National Organic Program. They are grown without synthetic pesticides, bioengineered genes, and fertilizers made with petroleum or sewage sludge. Organic foods must also be grown using tactics that promote biodiversity and renewable resources. Livestock labeled "organic" must have access to the outdoors and cannot be given antibiotics or growth hormones.
- "100% organic" means that the food contains only organic ingredients. They can bear the "USDA Organic" seal.
- A food labeled "organic" has at least 95% organic ingredients. They can bear the "USDA Organic" seal.
- "Made with Organic Ingredients" means that a food contains between 70% and 95% organic ingredients and can list up to three of those ingredients as "organic."
- Any product that contains less than 70% organic ingredients may not be labeled as organic, but its ingredients list on the label can indicate organic ingredients.
Other labeling claims
The USDA doesn't regulate claims such as "no drugs or growth hormones used," "free range" or "sustainably harvested." (For more information on food labeling and the National Organic Program, read this.
So how did those survey respondents answer?- A. “100% natural” -- 31 percent
- B. “All natural ingredients” -- 25 percent
- C. “100% organic” -- 14 percent
- D. “Certified organic ingredients” -- 12 percent
Many companies are starting to take notice, for a variety of reasons, removing corn syrup and launching "natural" lines.
Haagen-Dazs has launched an ice cream line with just five ingredients, aptly named five.
Starbucks and Jamba Juice are among the companies limiting and outright eliminating corn syrup and artificial flavors from their products.
Pepsi launched a "Throwback" and a "Natural" line that contain sugar.
The nation's largest organic dairy company Dean's launched a "natural" line, the definition of which is defined as "produced without added hormones, artificial sweeteners, artificial colors, flavors, preservatives or high fructose corn syrup," according to a Los Angeles Times story. Many say the move will further confuse consumers and lead them to think "natural" is synonymous with "organic."
In short: "Organic" is regulated and means something; "natural" is (almost always) a marketing buzzword.
Still confused? Try following a few simple rules:
- Don't eat what you can't pronounce. If your food contains ingredients that seem like they belong in a chemistry lab, it's probably not the most nutritious choice out there.
- Eat foods with fewer than five ingredients. The shorter a label is, the less likely it is to contain extraneous, artificial ingredients.
- Don't interpret "organic," "natural" or any other label word to mean healthy. An organic cream puff still contains fat and calories. A "natural" soda made with sugar is still a soda.
Want to read more about organic food and product labels? Read these stories!
Organic or Conventional Gardening: What's Better?
Top 12 Foods to Buy Organic
The Loopholes of Food Labeling
Why Go Organic?
Did you know the difference between natural and organic? Do you now? Do you believe the marketing claims made on food packaging?
 You will earn 3 SparkPoints |
NEXT ENTRY > Overweight and Stressed? Watch Out!
Comments
I have tried organic and there was no difference in the taste. So why pay more because it says organic. - 7/19/2009 5:10:48 AM
I'm saddened and dismayed by a lot of the comments here. I will never understand this negative perception of the organic movement. Also, at WFM, we DO have a strict definition of natural food and very stringent quality standards all products must meet. Most food in a conventional store would not be considered "clean" and would not be allowed on our shelves as we disallow trans fats, hydrogenated oils, artificial colors/flavors, etc.
It's true that natural/organic don't = healthy but when I buy crackers at work I know they don't have the junk found in most big brands. Plus, when I buy our private label 365 stuff I know that the food is sourced from non-GMO plants, even if it's a conventional product. That matters to me. - 7/15/2009 5:47:22 PM
How about buying fresh foods and cooking from scratch? Half of my foods don't even have labels: fresh fruits and veggies that are not prepackaged, fresh cuts of meat and fish, etc. Shop the perimeter of the store, stay out of the aisles, and you'll do just fine.
And by the way, "organic" has different meanings depending on what you're talking about. Yes, DAN_ODEA, if you're talking chemistry, organic things have primarily carbon, hydrogen, and other elements like oxygen. This includes crude oil, gasoline, plastics, styrofoam, etc, but obviously you don't want to eat those. Yes, if you're talking food, organic foods are grown without synthetic pesticides or GMOs. All food is organic if you're talking chemistry, so obviously when food is labeled "organic" they're talking about the second definition.
One more thing. I know HFCS gets a bad rap and it's not exactly good for you, but think about it this way. HFCS is made by processing corn starch with enzymes. Cheese is made by processing milk with an enzyme. Enzymes are natural, and without them, life would not exist. Making HFCS is a chemical process, but so is digestion, burning calories, and breathing, all of which are very natural.
By the way, I did pick C
Ok I'm done for now :) - 7/15/2009 3:13:37 PM
Unfortunately, I am not a believer in the FDA and prefer not to purchase anything they have approved and there was an article out recently (my husband told me about it so I don't have all the details) but apparently the FDA is approving some companies to label their food as Organic when they are in fact...not. I like what was said about eating foods with few ingredients (even though the FDA does not require companies to put ALL the ingredients on a package) and only eat what you can pronounce on the ingredient list...Great article...Thank you! - 7/15/2009 1:46:41 PM
An excellent concept to remember. - 7/15/2009 10:56:30 AM
DAN_ODEA's comment on the true meaning of organic also resonates with me. ALL food is organic, by the true definition! What a joke! - 7/15/2009 9:58:19 AM
Please read more about this in this July 3, 2009 article in the Washington Post, "Purity of Federal 'Organic' Label Is Questioned":
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dy
n/content/article/2009/07/02/AR2009
070203365.html - 7/15/2009 9:34:09 AM
I had to laugh at the end of the article when it said: "Don't eat what you can't pronounce.", as that's what my son has said for years, yet he had no scientiic proof. I am certainly going to show him this article.
A great article and very informing. - 7/15/2009 9:09:23 AM
Also note, "organic" even if sold in whole foods stores or organic stores, is NOT organic if it's an import. In order for the USDA seal to go on it had to be produced from inside the US, and that is the only kind of "organic" I eat.
- 7/14/2009 8:09:01 PM
As someone who has recently switched fully to organic and whole foods for me and my son, I have to say we notice a difference in quality and taste. And we're also eating very few sweets/desserts, opting for fresh fruit (my son complements with raw-milk cheese). Not to mention, organic and permaculture type farms typically have a lower environmental impact. It's a win-win! - 7/14/2009 7:52:06 PM
"Natural" makes some sense; there is a difference between fried chicken tenders made from a whole chicken and "chicken nuggets" made in a factory. Don't trust the FDA about what's "natural". HFCS is a by-product of corn production, refined from corn syrup by treating it with an enzyme. You cannot find HFCS on the ground or growing on or in a plant, so it isn't natural; it has to be made. It is, however, organic! Please remember, the FDA is highly politicized, more so over the last eight years but always influenced by politicians and lobbyists.
Here's a few more examples / comments.
- Corn-fed salmon: unnatural (salmon are meat eaters) but organic (they are still fish).
- HFCS: unnatural (must be manufactured) but organic (it's a carbohydrate).
- Plastic fork: unnatural (synthetic) but organic (plastics are hydrocarbon-based).
- Chopsticks: natural and organic.
- Salt: natural but not organic.
I hope this helps.... - 7/14/2009 6:40:42 PM
I am reading "The Omnivore's Dilemma" by Michael Pollan. I am not done with it but its very informative. I was also reading "Deep Economy" and other books on farming, conservation, economics etc. And plan on watching the documentary FOOD Inc. (I know every resource isn't perfect but I like to research stuff ^_^) - 7/14/2009 4:22:33 PM
"Pop quiz: Which is the best product description to read on a food label? " My answer is depends on what I am looking for. If it says "Organic" I usually put it back on the shelf.
- 7/14/2009 1:11:32 PM
If the label on the steak you're buying says 100% vegetarian fed, that's not the beef you want to buy. 100% vegetarian are those corn pellet mixes. If you want quality beef, the label needs to say,"100% grass fed". Cows are ruminants. They need to eat grass to be healthy.
So, if I'm buying beef, I try to buy cuts that say,"100% grass fed". It's not cheap, but it's worth it. better quality meat.
But, yeah... I've been noticing how many products now say,"natural". Manufacturers are looking for ways to attract more consumers. They are starting to realize that consumers don't want junk anymore. they want quality food. which is why we are seeing products without all those artificial fillers and chemicals.
You still do have to read the label. That's the only way to know what's really in the product.
I try to buy organic whenever I can. Otherwise, I will read the label to see how natural the product really is.
It's not easy being a consumer these days. You do have to be aware of so many different things. We can't shop the way our grandparents did. No more going to the butcher or baker. When you went to the local butcher, you knew where the meat came from. Not anymore. who knows where that beef is from.
you have to be careful.
- 7/14/2009 12:15:48 PM
"Ketchup!
Keep your blood pressure out of the danger zone with Heinz or Hunt's No Salt Added Tomato Ketchup. Each has ZERO sodium but contain the usual ketchup ingredients: Tomatoes, vinegar, corn syrup, spices, etc. Heinz replaces the salt (sodium choloride) with potassium chloride, which tastes somewhat like salt, but helps lower blood pressure. Hunt's skips the potassium chloride.
Without salt, the ketchups' sweetness registers more clearly on your tastebuds, and the no-salt added have no more calories than the regulars (about 20 calories per tablespoon), which basically makes their addition a freebie.
Heinz: (800) 255-5750
Hunts: (800) 858-6372"
- 7/14/2009 11:14:09 AM
This was a great article. - 7/14/2009 11:06:11 AM
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