Does Natural Equal Organic?

As more and more people are taking their health into their own hands, they are also taking preventive measures to keep disease from flourishing in the first place. One way is to stop bombarding our bodies with chemicals on a daily basis through the food we eat. The thing is, as consumers are getting smarter about what things to avoid and what to look for, manufacturers are also taking note of what consumers want and are changing their marketing accordingly. For example, one main word that we all look for now in products is the word "natural". Seeing the word "natural' on a beverage or other consumable products has an effect on our psyche. It makes us feel that we are doing what is best for our bodies and our health. However, have you ever wondered whether natural and organic are the same thing? Are these words interchangeable, or is there a difference? Many people are surprised to learn that you can be eating something natural and still be eating hormones, antibiotics, or fertilizers. How can that be? This article will highlight the differences between natural versus organic.

What exactly does natural mean when it comes to food labels? Well, natural in itself is a good word. It means that the meat, cheese, or whatever we are eating does not contain artificial ingredients such as preservatives or food colorings, which is a great thing. However, this is only in reference to processing. What about the way the chicken or cow was raised? Were antibiotics used? What about growth enhancers? Were fertilizers used in the feed? If we are eating fruit or vegetables, were they genetically engineered? The fact that a product is "natural" does not answer these questions. We can see why we can be eating natural products and still be consuming the very same ingredients that we are trying to void such as hormones, antibiotics, and fertilizers.

Organic on the other hand, according to the Wikipedia the Free Encyclopedia, "in the United States, the Organic Food Production Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C.A. § 6501-22) required that the USDA develop national standards for organic products. . . . These laws essentially require that any product that claims to be organic must have been manufactured and handled according to specific NOP requirements. A USDA Organic seal identifies products with at least 95% organic ingredients." Buying a product labeled organic, guarantees that it has been raised without hormones, antibiotics, or fertilizers. It also guarantees that the product was minimally processed and that no artificial ingredients were used - organic covers the manufacturing as well as the processing of the product.

As you can see, "natural" and "organic" are not interchangeable. Next time you go to the store and see the word "natural" on a product, keep on reading and look for the word "organic" in order to get the most for your money.