USDA Oversight of Organic Content

Organic is a labeling term for food or other agricultural products that have been produced according to the USDA organic regulations. USDA standards recognize four categories of organic production:

• Crops: Plants that are grown to be harvested as food, livestock feed, fiber, or used to add nutrients to the field. 
• Livestock: Animals that can be used for food or in the production of food, fiber, or feed.
• Processed/multi-ingredient products: Items that have been handled and packaged (e.g., chopped carrots) or combined, processed, and packaged (e.g., bread or soup).
• Wild crops: Plants from a growing site that is not cultivated.