USDA ORGANIC

USDA Organics is a designation that encompasses the U.S. national criteria for organic certification. Its primary mission is to promote trade, support organic agricultural production and rural communities, protect the environment, and ensure food safety. It also seeks to fight hunger in certain areas of the U.S. and around the world.

Products with this certification are inspected and certified by USDA Organics, which is a US national company whose full name is the US Department of Agriculture. This organization adopts standards for organic farming, the free harvesting of wild berries as well as their storage and processing before final packaging. The Ministry also monitors conditions for livestock, such as the type of feed they are fed, which must be from organic sources and must not contain antibiotics or growth hormones. Animals should also have favourable living conditions and access to free-range areas.

Products certified as USDA Organics must contain at least 95% organic ingredients and compliance with these standards is regularly monitored. USDA Organics also prohibits the use of genetically modified ingredients, artificial fertilizers and pesticides, and other chemical products that could adversely affect human health. More information is available on the organization's website [http://www.usda.gov/wps/portal/usda/usdahome].