If you’re like me, you have probably stumbled upon an overload of strangely misleading labeled products at every grocery store. Walking into supermarkets, organic, vegan, and fat free foods seem to engulf each isle more and more. But what do these different categories of foods actually mean and are they truly a healthier option for your body?

According to the USDA, “‘Organic’ is a labeling term that denotes products produced under the authority of the Organic Foods Production Act. The principal guidelines for organic production are to use materials and practices that enhance the ecological balance of natural systems and that integrate the parts of the farming system into an ecological whole.”

That sounds extremely confusing to the common consumer, but can be simply broken down into specific parts that help the reader understand what it means in their daily life.

Contrary to popular belief, organic products don’t just mean they were grown from an organic farm, but also an ecologically aware farm. No hormones or pesticides are necessary for these farms to function. They are able to profit while still sustaining natural environmentally friendly businesses. This is something difficult in todays society where newer scientific discoveries of growth enhancing drugs become readily available for sometimes a cheaper price than “going natural.”

Organic.org states, “Before a product can be labeled “organic,” a Government-approved certifier inspects the farm where the food is grown to make sure the farmer is following all the rules necessary to meet USDA organic standards.”

Here are a few simple tips to use when distinguishing if your food is filled with chemicals in disguise or filled with nutritious value according to organic.org. The labels on each product should be clearly stated.

• 100% Organic: Made with 100% organic ingredients

• Organic: Made with at least 95% organic ingredients

• Made With Organic Ingredients: Made with a minimum of 70% organic ingredients with strict restrictions on the remaining 30% including no GMOs (genetically modified organisms)

• Products with less than 70% organic ingredients may list organically produced ingredients on the side panel of the package, but may not make any organic claims on the front of the package.

Another confusing label is a product being vegan. According to The Vegan Society, “Veganism is a way of living which seeks to exclude, as far as is possible and practicable, all forms of exploitation of, and cruelty to, animals for food, clothing or any other purpose.” Ultimately the difference between vegan and organic is that vegan products exclude every harsh treatment of animals and environment. Vegan also means lacking items, “such as meat, fish, dairy, eggs, honey, gelatin, lanolin, wool, fur, silk, suede and leather” as told by About News.

So which is healthier? There are many factors that conclude vegan and organic living are both healthier options. We all know that eating a candy bar filled with sugar is probably not the best choice for us rather than fresh organic fruit. I believe it is all up to personal preference which eating habits agree with your body.

Often times, it is still confusing to distinguish between the two products so I encourage anyone to go to their grocery store and check out the items in person and actually compare the two. Organic foods may work well for some and vegan products better for others. But I think the importance of both is a trend in society that should stick around. After all it is good for environment and also for our bodies; How often does that happen?

References: 

Corn, Yough, PA. Personal photograph by author. 2014.

Gold, Mary V. “Organic Production and Organic Food: Information Access Tools.” Organic Production and Organic Food: Information Access Tools. USDA, June 2007. Web. 16 Sept. 2014. <http://www.nal.usda.gov/afsic/pubs/ofp/ofp.shtml>.

Lin, Doris. “What Do Vegans Eat? How Is Veganism More than a Diet?” About. N.p., n.d. Web. 16 Sept. 2014. <http://animalrights.about.com/od/animalrights101/a/Veganism.htm>.

“Organic.org – Organic FAQ.” Organic.org – Organic FAQ. N.p., n.d. Web. 16 Sept. 2014. <http://www.organic.org/home/faq>.