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Organic certification addresses a growing worldwide demand for organic food. It is intended to assure quality, prevent fraud, and to promote commerce.While such certification was not necessary in the early days of the organic movement, when small farmers would sell their produce directly at farmers' markets, as organics have grown in popularity, more and more consumers are purchasing organic ...
It restricts the use of the term "organic" to certified organic producers (excepting growers selling under $5,000 a year, who must still comply and submit to a records audit if requested, but do not have to formally apply). Certification is handled by state, non-profit and private agencies that have been approved by the USDA [citation needed]
Certification begins with the submission of an Organic System Plan to a USDA-accredited certification program. The Organic System Plan requires detailed growing, handling and materials procedures and at least five years of records. Annual on-site inspections confirm production operations and fees are collected to pay for the certification ...
The USDA's National Organic Program will oversee the new rules, working with certifiers accredited by the agency.
Quality Assurance International (QAI) is a United States-based international organic certification company that is authorized by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) as "a USDA-accredited certifying agent that operates globally to certify organic operations to National Organic Program standards."
Oregon Tilth Certified Organic (OTCO) was established in 1982 [2] and engages in certification activities for agricultural producers, product manufacturers and other handlers of organic products. Oregon Tilth is an Accredited Certifying Agent (ACA) for the USDA's National Organic Program.
The USDA doesn't currently uphold standards for organic seafood, so there isn't much of a punch packed behind claims of organic sea creatures. You'd be better off grabbing conventional crustaceans.
The USDA is currently developing guidelines to define the term “grass-fed”, and it is expected to call for an all-grass diet of at least 95%. Strictly grass-fed cattle tend to be leaner than grain-fed. Grain-feeding produces cattle with a higher percentage of fat. All grains must be certified organic to ensure the integrity of the program.