USDA Organic

USDA Organic is a federally regulated certification program administered by the National Organic Program (NOP) under the U.S. Department of Agriculture. It sets and enforces national standards for the production, handling, and labeling of organic agricultural products sold in the United States, applying equally to domestically grown goods and imports.

To earn the USDA Organic label, products must be grown and processed without synthetic pesticides, synthetic fertilizers, sewage sludge, bioengineering (GMOs), or ionizing radiation. Organic livestock must be raised without antibiotics or growth hormones, given access to the outdoors, and fed certified organic feed. Operations are certified by USDA-accredited third-party certifying agents who conduct annual inspections to verify compliance.

This certification is relevant for farmers, ranchers, food processors, and handlers who want to legally market their products as organic in the U.S. market. The USDA Organic seal signals to consumers that a product has met rigorous federal standards, and it is a legal requirement — businesses cannot label or sell products as "organic" in the United States without proper certification.