Origin of the Term "Organic"
The term “organic” comes from the Greek word “organikos”, meaning “of or pertaining to an organ”. Chemists used this word to describe substances derived from living organisms, like plants and animals.
Government Certification for Using "Organic"
The federal government owns the word organic. Unless certified by a government agency, you may not call yourself organic.
Regulations for Using "Organic" Label
Farmers certified organic or those who sell less than $5,000 a year of organic products can use the word "organic" or phrases like "grown using organic methods" to describe products.
Coined Term "Organic Farming" by Walter James
The term “organic farming” was coined by Walter James in his book Look to the Land in 1939.
Corporate Influence on Organic Brands
The chart shows many iconic organic brands are owned by junk food, processed food and sugary beverage corporations—the same ones that spent millions to defeat GMO labeling initiatives. These corporate owners of organic brands contributed to deny citizens’ right to know what is in their food.
Seeking Authentic Organic Products
“Consumers who want food companies embodying more original organic ideals would seek out products from independent organic firms,” Howard advises.