How to Identify the Organic Product

October 14, 2025 •

4 min read

According to the Organic Trade Association, the U.S. organic market was valued at over $56 billion in 2020, signaling growing consumer interest. This guide will explain how to identify the organic product by decoding labels, understanding certifications, and distinguishing it from non-organic alternatives.

Quick Summary

This guide provides a comprehensive overview of how to distinguish genuine organic products from conventional or falsely marketed goods. It focuses on deciphering official certification labels, understanding regulatory frameworks, and recognizing the different organic content categories to help you make informed purchasing decisions.

Key Points

Check for Certification Seals: Look for official government logos like the USDA Organic seal in the US, which signifies adherence to strict production standards.
Understand Label Tiers: Differentiate between '100% Organic' (all organic ingredients), 'Organic' (95%+ organic ingredients), and 'Made with Organic Ingredients' (70%+ organic ingredients) to know what you're buying.
Inspect Produce Codes: Look for a five-digit PLU code starting with '9' on loose fruits and vegetables, which is the industry standard for organic items.
Recognize Greenwashing: Be wary of unregulated marketing terms like 'natural' or 'eco-friendly' and always look for verifiable certifications.
Compare Appearance and Shelf Life: Genuine organic produce may look less uniform, have minor blemishes, and have a shorter shelf life due to the absence of synthetic chemicals and preservatives.
Verify with Databases: Use official resources, like the USDA Organic INTEGRITY Database, to cross-reference and confirm a product's certified status.

Understanding Official Organic Labels

Genuine organic products are regulated by government bodies, and the most reliable way to identify them is by looking for specific certification seals. In the United States, the USDA Organic seal is the primary indicator, backed by rigorous standards set by the National Organic Program (NOP). In other regions, like the EU, Canada, and India, different logos signify adherence to local organic standards. These certifications require that products are grown and handled without the use of most synthetic pesticides, fertilizers, GMOs, or sewage sludge.

United States Labeling Categories

In the U.S., the USDA defines specific labeling categories based on organic content:

100% Organic: The product contains exclusively organic ingredients. The USDA seal is mandatory.
Organic: The product contains at least 95% organic ingredients, excluding water and salt. The remaining ingredients must be on a pre-approved list. The USDA seal may be used.
Made with Organic Ingredients: The product contains at least 70% organic ingredients. The USDA seal is not permitted, but the words 'made with organic' can appear on the front panel.
Less than 70% Organic Ingredients: These products can only list the organic ingredients in the ingredient statement and cannot make any organic claims on the front of the packaging.

Spotting the Signs of Truly Organic Produce

Beyond packaged goods, identifying loose organic fruits and vegetables requires a different approach. While many stores use placards to designate organic produce, some tell-tale physical signs can also help.

PLU Codes: Loose produce is often marked with a Price Look-Up (PLU) sticker. Organic produce typically has a five-digit code starting with the number '9'. Conventional produce has a four-digit code, while genetically modified produce has a five-digit code starting with '8'.
Physical Appearance: Organic produce often appears less uniform and cosmetically perfect than its conventional counterparts. You might see irregularities in shape, size, or color, as well as minor blemishes from insects, because harsh synthetic pesticides are not used.
Shorter Shelf Life: Without chemical preservatives and wax coatings, organic fruits and vegetables may spoil faster. This shorter shelf life is a natural consequence of the product being processed minimally.
Stronger Aroma: The lack of processing can mean a more potent, natural scent and flavor. The oils within organic fruits, herbs, and spices are more concentrated, leading to a richer aroma.

Avoiding Greenwashing and Misleading Claims

Not all claims of 'natural' or 'eco-friendly' are equal to 'organic'. Marketers often use a practice called greenwashing to make products seem more environmentally friendly than they are.

Organic vs. Natural Products


Feature	Organic Products	Natural Products
Regulation	Heavily regulated and subject to federal standards (e.g., USDA NOP).	Lacking standardized regulations in many countries.
Certification	Requires third-party certification and inspection to use the official seal.	No certification required, relies on manufacturer claims.
Pesticides/Chemicals	Strict restrictions on synthetic pesticides, fertilizers, and hormones.	Can still use synthetic pesticides or ingredients and be minimally processed.
GMOs	Explicitly prohibits the use of genetically modified organisms.	No regulation prohibiting GMOs unless labeled otherwise (e.g., Non-GMO Project).
Labeling	Clearly states organic content percentage and displays certification seal (if applicable).	Often uses ambiguous marketing terms without verification.

Tips for Navigating Greenwashing

Look Beyond Buzzwords: Phrases like 'natural,' 'all-natural,' 'eco-friendly,' and 'farm fresh' are largely unregulated and don't guarantee organic status. Focus on official seals.
Analyze the Packaging: Packaging with green and earthy tones or pictures of nature is often a visual cue to mislead consumers. Don't be fooled by the aesthetic.
Check the Back Label: The ingredients list and nutritional information panel will reveal the true nature of the product. Look for a certifying agent's name and check if organic ingredients are specified.

Conclusion: Empowering Your Shopping Choices

By understanding the official labels, recognizing the physical attributes of organic produce, and being aware of deceptive marketing tactics, consumers can make more informed choices. The commitment of certified organic producers, who undergo rigorous annual inspections, ensures integrity and traceability from the farm to your table. Focusing on the certifier's mark, such as the USDA seal, and verifying the organic content percentage is the most reliable way to identify the organic product and avoid costly mistakes. This empowered approach not only protects your wallet but also supports sustainable and transparent food systems. For more on USDA standards, you can visit their official site [https://www.ams.usda.gov/services/organic-certification/organic-basics].

How to Check if an Organic Product is Legit

To verify an organic product's certification, you can use official databases. The USDA's Organic INTEGRITY Database lists all certified organic farms and businesses, ensuring you can trace a product back to its source and confirm its certified status. Similar databases exist for other countries and certifying bodies. You can search by operation name or location to cross-reference the details on a product's label. If a company's details don't match the database, it's a strong indicator that the product may be falsely labeled.

Frequently Asked Questions

The term 'organic' is legally regulated by government bodies and requires strict third-party certification. 'Natural' is a largely unregulated marketing term, meaning a product may contain natural ingredients but can still include chemicals, GMOs, or undergo processing that an organic product cannot.

No. Organic farming prohibits most synthetic pesticides but allows the use of natural ones. The emphasis is on using natural resources and avoiding harmful, toxic chemicals, but it does not mean 'pesticide-free'.

For loose produce, look for the five-digit PLU code beginning with the number '9' on the sticker. Additionally, look for clear signage in the produce section confirming the organic status. When in doubt, ask a store employee or visit a certified farmers market.

Yes, but with caution. This label means the product contains at least 70% organic ingredients, but it does not meet the criteria for the USDA Organic seal. It's best to check the ingredients list to see which specific components are organic.

Organic products can be more expensive due to higher production costs. This includes rigorous certification fees, stricter standards for farming and processing, and often lower crop yields compared to conventional methods.

For products labeled 'Organic' (95%+ content), using the USDA seal is voluntary, though it is the most trusted mark. However, products with 100% organic ingredients are mandated to use it.

The certification body's name and/or code confirms that a third-party organization has inspected the farm or handler and verified their compliance with organic standards. This adds a layer of transparency and accountability.