CAP: Organic Status

U.S. National Organic Standards

GENERAL ORGANIC STANDARDS INFORMATION

The U. S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is responsible for the national organic standards, which this time are based on organic community standards and are largely accepted by the organic community. These standards offer consumers consistent standards between states and with other countries. Consumers and those offering organic products have a strong decision-making role on the specifics of these standards through the National Organic Standards Board (NOSB).

For more information, see these websites:

USDA National Organic Program (NOP) site <www.ams.usda.gov/nop>
Organic Trade Association (OTA) site <www.ota.com>
The direct page for standards is www.ota.com/standards.html.
Especially note their Key Points page.

Organic Consumers Association (OCA) site <www.organicconsumers.org>

Organic & Beyond Campaign <www.organicandbeyond.org/mission.htm>

OUR COMMENTS

We believe the national organic standards are a good step forward, and that we can continue to build on them in two ways:

(1) We can ensure that the quality of the standards is maintained, and

(2) We can encourage consumers to also include in their shopping choices other values they might have, such as supporting local, small farms, etc.

Organic standards define growing practices, and we think it is that simplicity that has allowed them to get as far as they have. Let's value that success of this grassroots movement and build on it!

Information courtesy of:

"Information Empowering Action for a Healthier World"

We hope this information (and our work) is valuable to you,
and supports the health and well-being of yourself,
your family, our community, and our world.
If it is, please let us know. It makes us happy to hear!

You can support our work and ensure that it continues. For instance, you can link to our site and let others know about it. Or become a CAP member! For more information, click on the "About CAP" button above.

If you find a broken link or outdated information, or want to suggest an addition or edit to this page, please let us know by emailing info[at]healthyworld.org. Please include both the webpage name and the relevant information.

Thank you to everyone who supports our ability to offer this information
to our community, for our planet!