Does Whole Foods Have a Lot of Organic Food?

December 28, 2025 •

6 min read

In 2023, more than 57% of fresh produce sold at Whole Foods Market was organic, far exceeding the typical offerings of conventional grocers. The simple answer is yes, Whole Foods is dedicated to carrying a lot of organic food and products. Their commitment is so extensive that they became the first and only certified organic national grocery store in the United States.

Quick Summary

Whole Foods Market is known for its vast organic selection, offering tens of thousands of certified organic items across numerous categories. This is backed by the company's annual store certification and strict quality standards, which protect organic integrity throughout the supply chain. While they offer conventional options, organic food is central to the retailer's mission.

Key Points

Extensive Organic Selection: Whole Foods stocks over 45,000 certified organic products across its various departments.
Certified Organic Grocer: Whole Foods is the first and only certified organic national grocery store, with every store undergoing annual third-party inspections to maintain strict handling standards.
High Proportion of Organic Produce: In 2023, more than 57% of fresh produce sold at Whole Foods was organic, demonstrating a deep commitment to these offerings.
Banned Ingredients List: The company prohibits over 200 ingredients from its food products, adding an extra layer of quality assurance beyond just the organic label.
Strict Organic Handling: Certified procedures prevent the commingling of organic and conventional products throughout the supply chain and in-store preparation.
Premium Price Point: Due to their rigorous standards and extensive organic selection, Whole Foods' prices are generally higher than conventional grocery stores.
Beyond Food: The organic commitment extends to other categories, including body care products, where organic claims must be backed by third-party certification.

Whole Foods Market's Organic Commitment

Whole Foods Market has built its reputation on a deep and longstanding commitment to organic and high-quality products. This is not just a marketing claim; it's a foundational part of their business model. As of recent reports, the retailer stocks over 45,000 organic products in its stores, spanning every department from produce and meat to bulk foods and body care. This dedication is a primary reason shoppers choose Whole Foods, despite the higher prices often associated with premium products.

The Certified Organic National Grocer Status

One of the most significant differentiators for Whole Foods is its certification as an organic grocer at the national level. This goes beyond simply stocking organic products from certified farms. It means that every single Whole Foods store undergoes rigorous, third-party inspection each year to ensure strict handling standards are met. The certification process addresses key compliance points, such as:

Preventing the commingling of organic and conventional products.
Protecting organic prep spaces, including proper sanitization procedures.
Verifying that all organic ingredients used in the stores' kitchens are certified.
Ensuring organic integrity from the sourcing farm all the way to the customer's shopping cart.

A Broader Selection of Organic Goods

Whole Foods' organic offerings are far from limited to just fruits and vegetables. They extend across a comprehensive range of categories, providing organic options that are often difficult to find in other retail environments.

Organic Selection Highlights

Meat and Seafood: All meat sold is sourced from animals raised without antibiotics or added growth hormones, with many organic options available. The seafood department carries Responsibly Farmed and sustainable wild-caught products, with many also being organic.
Produce: The produce department boasts a high proportion of organic offerings. For example, over 57% of fresh produce sold in 2023 was organic.
Pantry Staples: The in-house 365 by Whole Foods Market brand includes nearly 1,000 certified organic items, from grains and snacks to other pantry essentials.
Bulk Foods: Shoppers can find an extensive array of organic bulk foods, including nuts, grains, and spices, which are also inspected for organic integrity.

Banned Ingredients and Quality Standards

Further reinforcing its commitment to high-quality food, Whole Foods maintains a list of over 200 banned ingredients that will not be found in any of its food products, including High Fructose Corn Syrup and many artificial preservatives, flavors, and colors. This stringent standard, combined with its organic commitment, is what differentiates Whole Foods from other mainstream grocery stores.

Whole Foods vs. Conventional Grocers: An Organic Comparison


Feature	Whole Foods Market	Conventional Grocery Stores	Key Difference
Organic Selection	Very large, extensive selection across all departments.	Smaller, often limited to specific produce or specialty aisles.	Volume and Variety: Whole Foods prioritizes a vast, comprehensive organic inventory.
Organic Certification	First and only certified organic national grocer.	Not certified; only individual products or processing facilities are typically certified.	Store-Level Integrity: Whole Foods guarantees organic handling and storage practices throughout the store.
Quality Standards	Stores adhere to strict standards, including a list of over 200 banned ingredients.	Standards vary by chain, and many carry products with artificial additives.	Rigorous Standards: Whole Foods applies higher quality benchmarks across all products, not just organic.
Pricing	Higher than conventional grocers, often dubbed "Whole Paycheck".	Generally lower prices on similar products due to differing sourcing and standards.	Cost vs. Value: Consumers pay a premium for Whole Foods' quality assurance and expansive organic offerings.

What Does "Certified Organic" Really Mean?

For consumers, understanding what the "organic" label signifies is crucial. The USDA regulates the use of the term and the organic seal. Foods are categorized based on their organic ingredient percentage:

100% Organic: All ingredients are certified organic, excluding water and salt.
Organic: Contains at least 95% certified organic ingredients. This is the label required for carrying the USDA Organic Seal.
Made with Organic Ingredients: Contains at least 70% organic ingredients. The USDA seal cannot be used, but the organic ingredients can be listed.

The Organic Advantage

Choosing organic products offers several potential benefits. While nutritional differences between organic and conventional foods are debated, organic foods consistently show lower pesticide residues. Additionally, organic farming is often associated with more environmentally friendly practices, such as supporting biodiversity and improving soil health. For animal products, organic meat and dairy come from animals not treated with antibiotics, which helps to reduce the risk of antibiotic-resistant bacteria.

Conclusion: A Haven for the Organic Shopper

So, does Whole Foods have a lot of organic food? Without a doubt, the answer is a resounding yes. With over 45,000 organic items across its stores and its unique status as a nationally certified organic grocer, Whole Foods has positioned itself as a premier destination for consumers prioritizing organic choices. While the higher price point is a factor for many, the vast selection, strict quality standards, and rigorous organic integrity measures make it an unmatched option for dedicated organic shoppers. The retailer offers organic food far more extensively than a typical grocery store, from everyday items to specialized goods, ensuring a comprehensive organic shopping experience.

Additional resources

For more information on Whole Foods Market's commitment to organic foods and their quality standards, you can visit their official page: Organic Products | Whole Foods Market.

Whole Foods Organic FAQ

Question: Are all the products at Whole Foods organic? Answer: No, not every product is organic. However, Whole Foods offers an exceptionally wide selection of organic options alongside conventional and other natural products. They also enforce a strict list of banned ingredients for all food items, whether organic or not.

Question: How does Whole Foods ensure organic integrity? Answer: Whole Foods protects organic integrity through a number of strict measures. This includes annual, third-party store inspections, verifying organic sources, and implementing procedures to prevent organic and conventional items from commingling during storage, preparation, and display.

Question: Is organic food from Whole Foods better than conventional food from a standard grocery store? Answer: While research is mixed on the nutritional superiority of organic foods, they typically contain lower pesticide residues. The primary advantage at Whole Foods is the unparalleled selection of organic products and the store-wide certification ensuring handling standards are met.

Question: Is there a price difference for organic products at Whole Foods? Answer: Yes, organic products are generally more expensive than their conventional counterparts at Whole Foods, which contributes to its reputation for higher prices.

Question: Can I trust the organic labels at Whole Foods? Answer: Yes, you can trust the organic labels. For food products, Whole Foods follows the USDA organic labeling standards, which require independent third-party certification. For body care products, they have their own strict standards that must be backed by third-party certification.

Question: Does Whole Foods have more organic food than other stores? Answer: Yes, Whole Foods has a much higher proportion of organic foods compared to most other grocery chains. For instance, in 2023, over 57% of its fresh produce sales were organic. Other stores may carry organic items, but not with the same breadth or depth of selection.

Question: Are Whole Foods' own brands organic? Answer: Whole Foods' private label, 365 by Whole Foods Market, includes nearly 1,000 certified organic options. However, not every product under the 365 brand is organic; shoppers should check for the official certification labels.

Frequently Asked Questions

No, not every product is organic. However, Whole Foods offers an exceptionally wide selection of organic options alongside conventional and other natural products. They also enforce a strict list of banned ingredients for all food items, whether organic or not.

Whole Foods protects organic integrity through a number of strict measures. This includes annual, third-party store inspections, verifying organic sources, and implementing procedures to prevent organic and conventional items from commingling during storage, preparation, and display.

While research is mixed on the nutritional superiority of organic foods, they typically contain lower pesticide residues. The primary advantage at Whole Foods is the unparalleled selection of organic products and the store-wide certification ensuring handling standards are met.

Yes, organic products are generally more expensive than their conventional counterparts at Whole Foods, which contributes to its reputation for higher prices.

Yes, you can trust the organic labels. For food products, Whole Foods follows the USDA organic labeling standards, which require independent third-party certification. For body care products, they have their own strict standards that must be backed by third-party certification.

Yes, Whole Foods has a much higher proportion of organic foods compared to most other grocery chains. For instance, in 2023, over 57% of its fresh produce sales were organic. Other stores may carry organic items, but not with the same breadth or depth of selection.

Whole Foods' private label, 365 by Whole Foods Market, includes nearly 1,000 certified organic options. However, not every product under the 365 brand is organic; shoppers should check for the official certification labels.