Consumers are increasingly knowledgeable about the distinction between natural and organic products.  USDA has specific regulations concerning the term 'organic' for food products and product labels, whereas the term 'natural' has only a general definition.

What is Organic?

Simply stated, organic products are made from ingredients grown without the use of pesticides, synthetic fertilizers, sewage sludge, genetically modified organisms, or ionizing radiation; organic animal products are from animals that are fed with organic feed and are not treated with antibiotics or growth hormones.  Additionally, organic products are manufactured under controlled conditions to maintain the organic integrity of the product.

The term "organic" is regulated and defined under the USDA National Organic Program (NOP).  The NOP allows three levels of organic labeling on consumer products:

• 100% Organic: These foods must contain, excluding water and salt, only organically produced ingredients. The USDA seal can be used on these packages.
• Organic: These foods must consist of at least 95 percent organically produced ingredients, excluding water and salt. The USDA seal can be used on these packages.
• Made with organic ingredients: Processed products that contain at least 70 percent organic ingredients can use this phrase and list up to three of the organic ingredients or food groups on the principal display panel. The USDA seal cannot be used on these packages, but the percentage of organic content and the certifier's seal or mark may be used. The nonorganic ingredients (30 percent or less) may not be genetically engineered or include other prohibited methods such as irradiation or fertilization with sewage sludge. Products made with less than 70 percent organic ingredients can only identify organic ingredients in the ingredient statement and cannot use the USDA organic seal or a certifier's seal or mark.

  In 2002, UNFI became the first coast-to-coast natural products company certified in organic distribution. Our certification by Quality Assurance international, a USDA accredited organic certification organization, means that we meet the stringent standards of the National Organic Program and that we have all the required systems in place to verify and maintain the organic integrity of product through entire supply chain. UNFI is the largest wholesale trader of organic goods, nationally, with over 6,000 SKU’s of organic products.

What is 'Natural'?

In contrast to the term "organic", there is no official, U.S. Government regulated definition for the term "natural" pertaining specifically to the natural products industry.  The FDA refers to natural ingredients as “ingredients extracted directly from plants or animal products as opposed to being produced synthetically.” (Source: U.S. Food and Drug Administration, FDA Consumer)
 
UNFI defines natural products as those which:

• Do not contain synthetic ingredients
• Do not contain artificial ingredients including colors or flavoring
• Do not contain synthetic chemical preservatives.