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'Natural' (NOT a certification)
Worldwide · Tier 4 Marketing
USDA Organic logo
USDA Organic
United States · Tier 1 Gold
Canada Organic Biologique logo
Canada Organic Biologique
Canada · Tier 1 Gold
What it meansThe word 'natural' on packaging is a marketing term, not a certification. In most jurisdictions there's no legal definition, no standard, and no inspection. A product labelled 'natural' can contain synthetic ingredients, pesticides, GMOs, and artificial flavours.The US Department of Agriculture's national organic standard. The green-and-white seal is the legal mark for any food sold as 'organic' in the United States.The federal Canadian organic standard, mandatory on any agricultural product sold across provincial borders or imported as 'organic'.
ScopeSeveral categoriesFoodFood
Established—20022009
InspectionNoneAnnual on-site by USDA-accredited certifierAnnual on-site by CFIA-accredited certifier
Residue testingNoneRequired on ≥5% of operations annuallyRisk-based, conducted by accredited certifiers
Guarantees
  • Nothing. It is not a certification and there is no body verifying anything.
  • At least 95% of ingredients are certified organic (the '100% Organic' variant requires every ingredient).
  • No synthetic pesticides, no synthetic fertilizers, no GMOs, no sewage sludge, no irradiation.
  • Annual on-site inspection by a USDA-accredited certifier.
  • Residue testing on at least 5% of certified operations each year.
  • ≥95% organic ingredients (single-ingredient products: 100%).
  • No synthetic pesticides, no GMOs, no irradiation.
  • Annual third-party certification under the Canada Organic Regime.
Does NOT
  • Doesn't mean organic. Doesn't mean pesticide-free. Doesn't mean GMO-free. Doesn't mean ethically produced.
  • Some markets (e.g. the US FDA on food, EU on cosmetics) place very limited restrictions on the word, but enforcement is weak.
  • Doesn't certify nutrition, taste, or animal welfare specifically (separate marks like AWA cover welfare).
  • Doesn't guarantee local production — a 'USDA Organic' product can be grown anywhere with an accredited inspector.
  • Provincial sales-only operations are not legally required to carry it (though many do voluntarily).

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