Organic VS Natural

The confusion over “all natural” products and “organic” products continues to rage on. The most recent battle over the blurry line between organic and all natural is between Cornucopia Institute, an organic watchdog group, and Target. CI has filed a complaint with the USDA against the red and white bull’s-eye block store over misleading advertising for Silk Soymilk. Strangely there isn’t a legal definition of what constitutes a “natural” food. The Food and Drug Administration holds policy that foods labeled natural cannot include added color, flavors, or any synthetic substance. Food producers use the term natural loosely, meaning for all intense and purposes preservative free with a minimal amount of processing. Natural foods can include organic, but not all “natural” foods are organic. Totally confused yet? Don’t feel bad, so are the majority of American consumers. Just remember, “organic” is a food certification system overseen by the USDA; “natural” is a labeling claim that for the most part is not overseen by any one government agency.