USDA Organic

Definition

USDA Organic — U.S. federal certification for food and farming free from synthetic pesticides, GMOs, and irradiation.

The USDA Organic seal is regulated by the U.S. Department of Agriculture's National Organic Program. To carry it, a product must be made of at least 95% certified organic ingredients, grown without synthetic pesticides, synthetic fertilizers, sewage sludge, irradiation, or genetic engineering.

"100% Organic" indicates every ingredient meets the standard. "Made With Organic" indicates at least 70% organic content but cannot use the seal.

Certification covers the whole supply chain — farms, processors, and handlers are inspected annually by accredited third-party agents. The standard does not directly measure carbon footprint or labor practices.

See USDA Organic products

Browse top-ranked USDA Organic-certified products across categories.

Beauty & Personal CareFood & NutritionHome & CleaningKitchen & DiningFurniture & DecorFashion & Apparel

Related terms

Vegan
Contains no animal-derived ingredients and no animal byproducts.
Cruelty-Free
Neither the finished product nor its ingredients were tested on animals.
B Corp
A for-profit company independently verified to meet high social and environmental standards.
Fair Trade
Producers in developing countries are paid a fair minimum price plus a community premium.

Using USDA Organic without overreading the claim

U.S. federal certification for food and farming free from synthetic pesticides, GMOs, and irradiation.

This term has specific rules in its named jurisdiction. Check the official rules and the exact labelled product rather than assuming a global definition.

Separate the question the term addresses from questions it does not answer. Material sourcing, labour conditions, chemical safety and disposal need different evidence. Catalogue labels are a starting point for checking that evidence, not a substitute for it.

USDA Organic: verification guide

CheckActionLimitation
JurisdictionCheck the applicable organic labelling rulesA rule in one country is not automatically valid elsewhere
ProductMatch the exact label and named certifying agentBrand-level organic wording does not cover every item
ScopeRead permitted wording and ingredient requirementsOrganic does not mean allergen-free or medically suitable

Before relying on USDA Organic

  • JurisdictionCheck the applicable organic labelling rules
  • ProductMatch the exact label and named certifying agent
  • ScopeRead permitted wording and ingredient requirements

Frequently asked

What does USDA Organic mean?+

U.S. federal certification for food and farming free from synthetic pesticides, GMOs, and irradiation.

How can I check a USDA Organic claim?+

Check the applicable organic labelling rules. Match the exact label and named certifying agent. Read permitted wording and ingredient requirements.