| Let's face it. Organic food products are high in demand. | | | | other countries. |
| You'll see people walking down mall aisles looking for | | | | Basically, there can be no influence of synthetic |
| those organic food product sticker labels, a practice | | | | products anywhere along the production chain. |
| set by the FDA, the Food and Drug Administration. | | | | Whether it be the use of chemicals, pesticides, food |
| The organic food must pass a stringent set of | | | | additives, or even the use of sewer sludge (as |
| requirements set by the FDA. For example, the food | | | | fertilizer) it will quickly exempt a company from earning |
| must be grown with any use of chemical additives. | | | | a certified organic food provider label. |
| Another example is that the livestock cannot be given | | | | Production Participants Have Standards, Too |
| growth hormones and antibiotics. These are but a few | | | | Every company involved in the making of organic food |
| of the long list of requirements. | | | | must pass their own meticulous standard. They must |
| What are some requirements for organic food? | | | | keep strict records of production and sales. They must |
| Because the demand for organic food has risen, the | | | | also record every equipment type involved in |
| government has stepped in to make sure no one is | | | | production. They must also maintain a solid border |
| needlessly dying. They've given out a standard saying | | | | between the organic production areas from the |
| that organic food must be pesticide and chemical | | | | non-organic production areas. |
| fertilizer free, among other things. | | | | The company fields must be kept free of pesticides |
| The entire production chain must meet the FDA's | | | | and other chemical additives for a set number of |
| requirements. How the seeds grow, how they're | | | | years. Normally, this number if three, but it varies by |
| maintained, and how they reach consumers - all of | | | | country. |
| these must pass stringent standards. | | | | All the land is subject to periodic inspection. This is |
| Even all the suppliers involved in organic food must | | | | necessary in maintaining the title of a certified organic |
| pass their appropriate requirements. These include the | | | | food producer. |
| seed providers, farmers, food processing companies, | | | | Due to these high standards, certified organic food |
| food retailers, and restaurants. | | | | providers must take that extra mile to ensure quality |
| An interesting thing to note here, is that the | | | | products. Although it may seem cumbersome, the |
| requirements differ by country; what may be allowed | | | | certification process ensures the health promised by |
| in the United States, may not necessarily be allowed in | | | | organic foods. |