The Hain Celestrial Group, Inc., and Sara Snow Make Going Green Easy
Be label savvy. When you’re in a rush, it’s easy to get confused by labels promising “organic” or “natural” ingredients. The U.S. government strictly regulates the use of these terms. Here’s what they mean:
“100% Organic” means the product must contain only organically produced ingredients and processing aids. These products may display the USDA Organic seal.
“Organic” means the product must contain at least 95% organically produced ingredients. These products may display the USDA Organic seal on their packaging.
“Made with Organic Ingredients” means the product must contain at least 70% organic ingredients. Up to three of the organic ingredients or food groups may be listed on the label.
“Natural”means the product has been minimally processed, contains no artificial colors or flavors, and no preservatives, and never any hydrogenated oils or trans fat.
“Fair Trade Certified™” means the product was produced and traded according to strict economic, social and environmental criteria, to insure fair treatment for workers and responsible use of natural resources.
“Certified Organic by QAI” means that the product has been certified by “Quality Assurance International.” Since 1989, Quality Assurance International (QAI) has provided the highest level of organic certification service available in the U.S. In fact, in a nationwide independent shelf study, it was found that two out of three certified organic products on U.S. store shelves use QAI certification services.
