Store Brand Organics...

[mahamum]

...are they really organic?

I remember reading somewhere that store brand (and also the Horizon brand) really isn't organic? I can't remember where I heard/read it though.

Has anyone heard this before?

Thanks!

[Siennaflower]

: I always kinda figured it wasn't organic...just like Horizon abusing the label...

[MomToKandE]

They are organic in that they meet the USDA requirements for the organic label claim. For a lot of people "organic" has also meant supporting small farms, opposing factory farms, practicing sustainable farming etc. The USDA label does not consider these things. If it's labeled organic you can be assured that it does not contain pesticides, hormones, etc. but the organic claim itself doesn't tell you anything about the business practices of the company.

[Sailor]

Well, I assumed the USDA Organic stamp meant the same thing on all organic products, whether they're store brand or not. There won't be any hormones, pesticides, etc, in the food. But, like the previous poster mentioned, Horizon or a store brand company might not have the same business practices as _______ (insert name of organic company there). My mind is drawing a blank and I can't think of any names from my food coop, lol.

[mahamum]

Originally Posted by FlutterBee

: I always kinda figured it wasn't organic...just like Horizon abusing the label...

Yes, that's what I somewhat heard about Horizon. How are they abusing the label? That's the part I don't know and would like more clarification.

[farmgirl83]

The USDA owns the word "organic" now, so the term that is being used by many is "beyond organic" or, as mentioned, "sustainable".

See the book The Omnivore's Dilemma, by Michael Pollan, for great information about the evolution of the organic movement.

Also, here are two websites I've found helpful regarding the "is it really organic" question:

http://www.organicconsumers.org/

http://cornucopia.org/

[counterGOPI]

: thank you!