Define Organic: Food Labels May Be (Purposefully) Misleading
Walk through any supermarket aisle and you’ll find products with all sorts of nice-sounding claims, but terms like “natural,” “no antibiotics” and “non-GMO” aren’t as regulated as you’d think. For consumers who rely on accurate labeling due to food allergies or other societal issues, food labels are a constant source of confusion – and much of it is dubious.
Why Accurate Food Labels Matter
Consumers rely on honest claims to support sustainable and socially responsible food products. Roughly 78% of American says that sustainability is a key differentiator in their shopping habits. 30% of shoppers say most food purchases are shaped by a product’s sustainability. Without food label guidelines, consumers aren’t sure what they’re really supporting – or what they’re actually eating.
For the 20 million Americans with food allergies, the consequences of mislabeled or cross-contaminated food can hurt more than just the conscience. Accurate claims around gluten, nuts, eggs, soy, dairy, food dyes, and other high-risk food allergens save lives, especially for the 5.6 million school-aged children with food allergies that may not understand what they’re eating.
Related: Common Signs of Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Decoding 5 Common Food Packaging Claims
We’ve picked four of the murkiest claims made by manufacturers to help illustrate which packaging promises are FDA regulated or certifiable. Don’t take our word for it, though. Starting with your family’s staple foods, go beyond the label to make sure food companies back up their claims with science.
-
Organic
According to the FDA, organic food labeling must meet specific standards at every stage of production, from seedling to store shelf. Products with organic food certification are periodically reviewed and approved by a certifying agent. It’s worth noting that organic foods may contain “organic-allowed” substances, such as carrageenan and several types of gums.
You can trust products with the official USDA Certified Organic label but be wary of other organic certification claims.
-
Cruelty-free
There is no government-level regulation of the term “cruelty-free.” Any product claiming to be cruelty-free is likely certified by a non-governmental organization (NGO), such as People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA). Related claims extend beyond the grocery aisle to cosmetics and apparel, and there’s a strong movement to pass regulation at the federal level to protect animals.
-
Free-range
The USDA requires poultry products using the free-range claim to provide chickens with access to the outdoors for over half of their lives. Unfortunately, there’s anecdotal evidence that many growers make little effort to ensure chickens actually get outside. Even if products meet the guidelines, take the claims with a grain of salt.
-
Natural or all-natural
Doesn’t. Mean. A. Thing. Unfortunately, there’s no formal definition for “natural foods” and the FDA has shied away from establishing guidelines for the term’s use. The FDA says it “considers” foods using variations of “natural” to mean that nothing artificial was added. That’s not a rule or guideline; it reflects the often misguided assumption consumers have when purchasing.
-
Non-GMO
Neither the FDA nor USDA regulates non-GMO labeling. Products using the term often contain trace amounts of genetically-modified organisms, either as a direct ingredient or cross-contaminant. “Non-GMO” labels are often used by retailers to increase prices. In one example, grocery stores were selling tomatoes with “Non-GMO” labels when there have never been GMO tomatoes commercially available.
Tips for Your Grocery Store Trips
For better health, safety, and sustainability, before you head to the grocery store, look at the items your family purchases most often and evaluate their health claims. If you can’t verify the certification claims made by your favorite cereal or almond milk, look for an alternative. When in doubt, use this handy food label guide from Consumer Reports to quickly identify trustworthy packaging promises.