What clicks in your mind when you see the ‘organic’ or ‘natural’ labels on food products? Is there a difference? Let’s dig deeper into organic vs. natural foods and see their differences.
Today, you’ll find natural and organic foods in the American market. However, according to an Economic Research Service by Pew Research Center report, most Americans prefer organic foods to natural ones. In fact, this Pew Research Center report stated under the Economic Research Service that organic food sales have been doubling since 1994.
But what is the difference between organic and natural foods? Why is organic food consumption on the rise compared to natural food?
The 10% annual steady increase in the purchase of organic foods raised much concern. The study determined that several Americans believe that organic foods cater to good health more than natural ones.
Nevertheless, the science behind this behavior is still confusing. Several survey reports showed results in favor of organic foods. However, most people prefer natural foods to organic ones only in rural areas. This may have been because organic foods are hard to find in rural regions.
To better understand the differences between organic and natural foods, this article will explore all the characteristics of several kinds of natural and organic foods in America. This will possibly change your perception or facilitate proper decision-making.
Main Differences between Organic vs Natural Foods
All-natural vs Organic
All-natural
These refer to natural products processed in minimal conditions. Such foods generally require less regulation than organic ones. Their cost of production is also favorable, and the ingredients used are rich in minerals and vitamins.
Adding flavors, preservatives, or artificial colors is not encouraged during all-natural food production. Also, they are free from synthetic pesticides and herbicides. This has been ensured to make the products suitable for human consumption despite not being regulated by USDA.
For instance, all-natural meat products are cost-effective due to lesser regulation concerns. The farmer who rears the all-natural animals has got all control over their farm and land. This reduces the cost, which would otherwise be high.
Organic
The phrase “organic” correlates to the process under which the processing and production were carried out. Several regulations have been put in place to guide organic food production. You must get certified before you enter into organic farming.
Everything is organic because the farmer carries out his activities using additives. For instance, the meal that the cow, pig, or chicken eats is organic. Also, the food consumed and the forage grasses they feed on are prepared according to USDA’s qualifications and guidelines for organics.
In contrast to what most think, organic products are also free from synthetic substances. This means they are raised without applying human-made synthetic compounds like pesticides and fertilizers. Growth hormones and antibiotics should also be avoided in organics.
However, their cost seems to be relatively high. This is arguably because of several regulations that the farmers must meet.
Organic farmers need to be intelligent enough to understand the production requirements, which means that anyone with no substantial knowledge cannot venture into this organic type.
100 Natural vs Organic
Sometimes, the labeling of organic vs natural foods can be confusing to the consumer. However, breaking this down will help you understand them better.
100% Natural
Products tagged as 100% natural mean that they have been processed minimally. Several studies show that these products are the same as those labeled ‘natural.’ The only difference is that they are prepared without as many ingredients as the natural ones.
100% natural products have no traces of additives. They can also be found naturally in the surroundings. Some of them include naturally existing fruits and vegetables, like those that grow on their own.
These products are very cheap, and anyone can produce them. You need very few prerequisites to get into the system. Concern for human life and self-dedication are the keys to its operation.
100% Organic
As compared to 100% natural, 100% organic is solely controlled and regulated by USDA and FDA. The few certified farmers in this system produce food under highly tight conditions.
These products must be free from additives, flavors, fertilizers, pesticides, herbicides, and growth hormones. They are required to grow ‘naturally’ in the organic system.
The costs of these products are a bit high. As we have seen above, organic food is very costly, and so is 100% organic.
100% organic tends to be even more expensive. This is because it provides essential nutrients, and its production is significantly regulated.
A farmer must undergo a severe assessment before qualifying for 100% organic systems. This means that those who engage in the system are technically competent farmers who understand all the harmful substances discouraged from the production process.
Organic vs Natural
Natural
Natural foods are processed under minimal conditions and contain no antibiotics, hormones, or artificial flavors.
The products labeled “natural” are regulated by neither USDA nor FDA. Thus, these foods usually contain lots of heavy ingredients.
They are also cost-effective as their production follows lesser rules. Therefore, as a producer, you will pass through a few stages or pay nominal fees for producing these products. This is contrary to the case of organic foods.
Everyone can indulge in natural production. Provided you can preserve general hygiene and, ultimately, provide healthy products to humans, you can operate this. You will label your products yourself as natural.
Organic
This is the most heavily ruled and regulated food production process. It is only organic, requiring total conformity and following the set regulations and rules. Toxic pesticides, chemicals, fertilizers, and toxic herbicides are seriously discouraged from the system.
Growth hormones and antibiotics are also prohibited in the production process. Organic processors and producers undergo several random inspections. Third-party agencies such as the FDA and USDA conduct these inspections to help ascertain that the processed products are healthy for human consumption.
These products are usually costly as producers have several conformities they must comply with. The producers also need to be technically competent to produce them.
As a result, it locks out those who wish to venture into the system but have no standard qualifications. Certification usually comes through evaluation.
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Natural vs Organic Beef
Natural Beef
Natural beef is grass-fed beef. The labels on these products are always born, pastured, and harvested in America (USA). This means these animals are born and raised in natural pastures.
Their harvesting, too, takes place in the USA. The cattle are born within the farms in the family. They are cared for, nurtured, and butchered right in America.
Some natural beef, however, comes from New Zealand, Uruguay, and Australia. American regulations allow meat products from these nations to be labeled as those of the USA. That is either “Made in the USA’ or Product of the USA,” depending on where they were processed.
Natural beef appears to cost more than the other kinds. This is because it takes time to raise, as it depends on natural grass. Equally, ranchers process a significantly small number of these cattle simultaneously.
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Organic Beef
Organic beef implies beef from cattle not raised in feedlots for an extended period. You cannot place these cattle in crowded, unsanitary, or dirty conditions. They feed on grain or are confined in feedlots for a limited period.
Organic beef cannot indirectly or directly be exposed to synthetic contaminants, fertilizers, artificial pesticides, GMOs, hormones, and antibiotics. However, the animals can be fed organic grain and corn but still be labeled organic meat even though these grains can be grown with pesticides.
Organic beef tends to be very costly because these cattle are grown using several pretty expensive supplements.
Natural vs Organic Meat
Natural Meat
The official Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has a policy regulating product labeling. The labeling for natural meat should be for that meat with no added flavors, synthetic compounds, or colors.
Consumers make their own inferences about when to name a product “natural.” This also results from the USDA not participating in the natural labeling of products.
Natural food can be described as pure, non-GMO, and free from human-made chemicals. Some of it contains fructose, syrup, and corn. Although the USDA does not control food labeled as natural, whether poultry, natural meat, or eggs, it must be antibiotic—and hormone-free.
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Organic Meat
These are meat types certified by FDA and USDA. They have the label “USDA Certified Organic.” There are a lot of concerns that you need to fulfill before you get approval to produce organic meat.
First, the land must be free from all unwanted compounds before the farms can be certified. This inspection occurs every three years. Farmers must also undergo regular audits and reviews before they get the certifications.
Thus, organic meat guarantees that the food is free from toxic chemicals, pesticides, antibiotics, synthetic hormones, preservatives, artificial additives, and GMOs.
Certified Naturally Grown vs. Organic
Certified Organic
These are the products certified by the USDA organic certification. A certified organic product cannot be grown with the help of any ingredient from the “National List of Allowed and Prohibited Substances. This body has been obliged the duty by the Agricultural secretary.
The prohibited substances are pesticides and fertilizers, or generally synthetic substances, which can harm both the environment and humans. When used, these substances must be certified as human responsibility. This is to monitor the extent of their influence on the environment and human health.
Getting and maintaining the certification is tiresome since daily data collection and record-keeping must be done. Also, the certification cost is high. Though it differs depending on the certifying agent, it can be approximately $1,500 per farm.
Certified Naturally Grown
Certified naturally grown labels originated from a category of farmers who viewed certified organic as relatively expensive. They also thought that ‘certified organic’ is prohibiting several activities. Thus, they developed a less strict organization –The Certified Naturally Grown (CNG) certification organization.
However, all the produce must be grown without the addition of synthetic pesticides, herbicides, fertilizers, hormones, and antibiotics. Genetically modified organisms must also be excluded. These farmers also pay an annual fee and submit to inspections annually.
In contrast to NOP, whose inspection is scheduled and conducted by USDA, CNG conducts self-inspection. However, they sometimes invite non–farmers, master gardeners, extension agents, and customers to inspect them.
All-natural Chicken vs. Organic Chicken
All-natural Chicken
All-natural chicken contains strictly no growth hormones, antibiotics, and additives. The chicken has been processed in minimal condition. This helps to maintain its natural taste and flavor.
It’s relatively cheap. This is a result of little regularity in its line of production. All-natural chicken is not regulated by either the USDA or the FDA. Some of this food contains corn, fructose, and syrup.
Even though all-natural chickens are not regulated, the product should be free from preservatives or artificial color. The manufacturers label the products “all-natural chicken.”
Organic Chicken
Food labeled as all-organic chicken must have followed USDA and FDA production standards. This signifies that the chicken has been raised in an environment free from stimulants. Antibiotics and hormones are seriously discouraged, too, during rearing.
These chickens are also fed organic all-grain meals. They must access other food from the surrounding area, that is, outdoor foods.
Their cost is usually high to cover the high production cost. As with the organic system, high-quality standards are expected from those keeping all-organic chickens.
All-natural Eggs vs. Organic
All-natural Eggs
All-natural eggs are those from an all-natural chicken. They are also known as antibiotic-free or vegetarian eggs. These eggs differ significantly from organic eggs. This is because no one is interested in monitoring them.
The manufacturers set their own rules, standards, and regulations. Many precautions must be taken since you may end up buying what was not advertised. These are the cheapest eggs since their production involves little expense.
Organic Eggs
All-organic eggs are compared and defined in terms of weight per USDA standards. These weights include extra-large, jumbo, small, medium, pewee, and large. USDA also measures the quality and appearance of these eggs.
The quality is based on the York, eggshell, albumen, and egg white. The eggs are rated based on quality, either A, B, or AA.
These eggs are very expensive—they can cost even more than $5. This almost doubles the cost of an all-natural egg. The cost is high due to several expenses incurred during production.
All-natural Baby Food vs. Organic
All-natural Baby Food
All-natural baby food consists of baby foods that are minimally processed. Self-set regulations are followed during their production. It is also rich in minerals and vitamins, but not as much as organic ones.
This food category is also free from additives, flavors, and colors. Foods not free from synthetic pesticides, herbicides, and insecticides are excluded during processing. They are, therefore, safe for your baby’s consumption.
Since their manufacturing involves relatively little investment, this food category is relatively cheap and anyone can easily afford it. Its production also requires little standardization, provided the ingredients used are fit for human consumption.
Organic Baby Food
Organic baby food is considered to be very healthy, rich in minerals and vitamins. It also features organic option nutrients whose cost is fractionally calculated.
These foods are free from pesticides, bacteria, additives, and modified ingredients. Since these sorts of foods are environmentally friendly, they are favored by sustainability-conscious people. Their costs, however, are very high, as it’s set high to meet the demands of its production standards.