There is some confusion regarding the use of Natural vs. Organic food labels.  To clarify, natural is a loosely used term to describe a product that has been minimally processed and is preservative free.  Natural foods can include organic foods, but not all natural foods are organic.  The USDA has specific criteria to meet before a food can be labeled “organic”.  In 2000 the USDA established the standards for organic labeling.  They defined it not as the process of how it’s made, but rather how it cannot be made.  This includes being produced without the use of sewer-sludge fertilizers, most synthetic fertilizers and pesticides, genetic engineering, growth hormones, irradiation and antibiotics.

Natural foods do not have a legal definition and are often confused with being as healthy as certified organic foods.  Be aware of this difference when at the supermarket.