Organic, Organic, Organic: What Does That Even Mean?

IS ANYTHING REALLY ORGANIC?

WHAT I’VE BEEN TOLD

The labeling of foods as organic is confusing because we’re not actually eating anything in its organic state. When some plants are in their organic state, they are poisonous, so the label itself is misleading. A food auditor years ago at Whole Foods, in Monterey California, told me the term “organic” was chosen to suggest that foods labeled as such are pesticide free, but what it really means is that fewer pesticides are used in the growing and harvesting process.

I also learned from the same auditor that the only thing the green and white USDA organic circle means when it comes to grains and grain products is that glyphosate (Roundup) has not been used on it. She also said if I intended to trust any label that said “organic,” I should only trust the USDA green and white circle when it came buying grain products like bread, crackers, rice, etc., and flours as well – all grains, really.

Street Roots, in their article “USDA Organic: the fight for the label’s integrity,” updated in 2018 shows what the label means. Curiously, under the section “No synthetics” they state the following: “There is a caveat to the ban on synthetics in organic farming. When farmers cannot access a synthetic-free organic-approved substance they need for pest control, soil improvement or other farming practice, the National Organic Standards Board can add a synthetic chemical to a list of exceptions known as the National List.”

WHAT ABOUT ORGANIC ESSENTIAL OILS?

I’m not an expert on this “organic” thing, but from what I’ve been reading and learning from others who are, the organics industry is rife with corruption. As to certification, the standards used to qualify for the designation sound like they are mediocre and filled with loopholes.

I do know that Young Living EOs are above organic standard quality. Labeling them organic would be a downgrade.

A Little About Organic Farms

For a farm and all that’s grown on it using organic practices to be designated “organic,” the land must be seven years organic, in some cases four. Young Living only uses land that is 50+ years organic and in many cases the land has never seen chemicals. They also use their EOs to keep their crop pesticide free.

Disturbing to me is that you can have organic land and farming practices and still use non-organic seeds (GMOs or other modified seeds). Even though the DNA makeup of the plant material is not good, meaning contamination or hybridization, it can still be labeled organic.

There are regulations against using GMO seeds for anything to be certified organic, but the seed can be only one gene removed from GMO and still be considered organic. In other words, hybrids that should be labeled as GMOs can be labeled as organic if they are grown in organic soil using organic farming practices – so – plants can be labeled as “organic” when a GMO seed is used. Not sure I like that. It certainly makes the entire organic certification system suspect.

Something else to consider: “Organic” for chemists means anything that is made of carbon compounds (or something to that effect) so with that definition, even kerosene would be considered “organic.” Therefore, even if an oil is adulterated, even if it has 1% of the plant oil in it, it could still be labeled as organic. For more information on this, I was advised to read the farm chemical catalogues. Still looking into that.

WHAT I KNOW

Young Living’s essential oils Seed-to-Seal process is better than best because of all the testing they do, including third-party testing. YL’s essential oils are above and beyond what is required for the “organic” designation, and that’s why they do not stand by the organic labels as they are set because the standards to be designated as “organic” are way too low.

Of that I am certain.

Many Blessings.

Organic 101: What the USDA Organic Label Means

If you’re interested, more information about what the USDA Organic label can be found here: “Organic 101: What the USDA Organic Label Means“

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Sheri Rose – Educator, Writer, Editor, and Essential Oils Coach – Referral # 12488561

Sheri Rose is an avid reader and writer who enjoys spending time with her husband, family, and friends, and loving on her three dogs. As an educator, editor, and writer turned essential oils coach, Sheri has helped others all her life. She currently studies aromatherapy at the Aromahead Institute and has completed her essential oils coaching certification with Dr. Josh Axe. Essential oils and essential oil products are not just a hobby for her, they are a part of her daily routine, and she loves sharing with others how to use them to create a healthy lifestyle. Overall, Sheri is quirky and kind and compassionate, she works daily to maintain wellness, and she truly cares about the health and wellbeing of others.