When talking about healthy food and eating, words like “organic” and “natural” get thrown in a lot. Generally, they seem like the same thing.
But is it?
Well, in the US, natural vs. organic aren’t interchangeable. Organic is a regulated certification with USDA standards, while natural captures a broader labeling claim. In simple terms, not every natural product is organic.
When you understand the difference between natural and organic food, you’ll know how to read food labels better. And that’s exactly what we’ll show you in this blog.
What Does Organic Food Mean?
In the United States, organic food is regulated by the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) through the National Organic Program. According to the USDA, the term "organic" refers to agricultural products and food that comply with the department’s organic standards. These include recycling, biodiversity conservation, and ecological balance.
For a product to be labeled as “organic”, it has to be certified by the USDA’s certifying agents. These products need to be specifically created, meaning methods like genetic engineering and ionizing radiation shouldn’t be used in the production process. Additionally, they must contain substances approved under the USDA’s organic regulations.
With that said, you can see that organic foods are natural, but they must be produced and handled according to a set of standards to be labeled as such.
Certified organic food follows regulated production and handling standards, including restrictions on genetic engineering and certain synthetic inputs. LOOV products are always certified organic, offering clear standards for how their ingredients are grown and produced.
What Is The USDA Organic Label?
One of the easiest ways to ensure you’re getting an actual organic product is to check whether it has a USDA Organic seal.
More specifically, if a product is labeled “100% organic”, the ingredient list should contain only organic substances, except for water and salt. Additionally, if the label reads “organic”, at least 95% of the ingredients used need to be certified organic. When products fulfill this criterion, they can have the USDA Organic seal on them.
You may notice that some products contain the “made with organic…” label. In these cases, the product must contain 70% certified organic ingredients, but the USDA’s seal cannot be displayed.
Still, when talking about natural vs. organic food, this doesn’t mean that organic is always the better and healthier choice. For one, organic food production has specific regulations on pest, weed, and disease management, and certain approved substances may be used when other management practices are insufficient.
In other words, the “organic” label doesn’t automatically make the product superior. It just gives insight about how the food was grown, processed, and certified.
What Does Natural Mean On Food Labels?
On the other side of the natural vs. organic debate is the “natural” label.
For one, you already know that this isn’t the same as organic. The FDA hasn’t officially defined the term, but generally, “natural” means that the product hasn’t been made with anything artificial or synthetic.
This can be helpful, but keep in mind that production methods aren’t taken into account. Namely, the FDA doesn’t take note of how the food was grown, harvested, or processed.
So, to put it simply, the “natural” on food labels means that the food doesn’t contain anything artificial, but doesn’t guarantee organic farming, organic certification, non-GMO production, or a specific environmental standard.
Common Misconceptions About Natural vs. Organic Food
With the natural vs. organic food debate, there’s one question most people are interested in – which one is better?
Well, there’s no concrete answer to this since both types of foods come with their own misconceptions.
For example, when choosing food, we usually go for those with a “natural” label, thinking they're the healthiest option. However, keep in mind that this isn’t a nutrition label. The food may still contain ingredients like sugar or saturated fats that you want to limit in your diet.
Additionally, most people believe that organic food is the most nutritious. While this can be generally true, not every producer uses the same compounds in the production process. This means that some products may be better for you than others, even if they’re both labeled organic.
Lastly, organic food doesn’t limit the use of pesticides. Organic farming restricts many synthetic inputs and prohibits certain methods, but organic standards do allow specific approved substances under regulated conditions.
So, one of the best ways to know that you’re getting the best food for your health is to read the full label. Look at the ingredient list, nutrition facts, serving size, certifications, and sourcing information instead of relying on one word on the front of the package.
Natural vs. organic food labels can be misleading, as neither automatically guarantees a healthier or more nutritious product. Check the ingredient list, nutrition facts, organic certification, and sourcing information to make an informed choice.
How To Read Food Labels Carefully
For some of you, reading food labels can be new, and you won’t know what you need to look for without proper guidance. So, here’s what you should take note of.
Firstly, check whether the product has the organic label. If it does, continue reading the full list to see what’s actually inside.
Alternatively, if the product is labeled “natural”, remember that it’s not the same as certified organic. These can still be good for you, but you don’t have any insight about the company’s farming practices, certification, and ingredient sourcing.
Generally, when choosing organic food, look for short, simple ingredient lists. They are often easier to understand, so you’ll know exactly what you’re ingesting.
Why LOOV Chooses Certified Organic Ingredients
LOOV chooses certified organic ingredients for its fruit and berry powders because certification gives you a clearer standard to look for. Instead of relying only on “natural,” certified organic ingredients are connected to regulated production and handling requirements.
Our organic berry powders are designed to make it easier to add real fruit flavor, color, and plant-based ingredients to everyday meals. For example, several of our powders are made from organic berries, including wild blueberry, cranberry, raspberry, and blackcurrant powders.
Still, we’re not saying that LOOV’d fruit powders are magical wellness products. With our carefully chosen ingredients, we can help you add fruit-based flavor to your meals simply and conveniently.
LOOV organic berry powders are made with certified organic ingredients, including wild blueberry, cranberry, raspberry, and blackcurrant. Pure fruit and berry powders add natural flavor, color, and plant-based ingredients to everyday meals.
Final Thoughts
We hope that we’ve helped you understand the difference between natural vs. organic food.
If you want a clearer standard when choosing fruit and berry powders, certified organic products can offer more transparency than a general natural claim. LOOV chooses certified organic ingredients to help you better understand the origin, production, and quality of the ingredients you add to everyday meals.
