However, this mad rush has resulted in some people getting concerned with organic food certification because too much competition and hurry could result in factory type animal farms to quietly creep into the organic food market. While the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) did establish some guidelines in 2000 that were meant to help consumers decide which companies were actually complying with the organic food certification rules, there were many ambiguities and confusions that have still not been cleared.

As per the USDA guidelines the farms growing fruits, vegetables, meat, and milk cannot use synthetic pesticides or fertilizer in food production. These farms also have to avoid genetic engineering, irradiation, or sewage sludge. In order for organic food certification, livestock can only be fed with certified organic feed and cannot be given any growth hormones, etc. While the guidelines also mention that the animals must be allowed to spend some time outdoors daily, the precise interpretation is confusing.

The USDA established guidelines were supposed to cover everything; unfortunately, there are some gaps that can be used by unscrupulous companies. It is best that you read the labels on organic food carefully.

100% organic

This means that the fruits and vegetables were grown without any synthetic fertilizers and pesticides. For milk and meat, it signifies that all the USDA conditions for organic food certification like no hormones, time spent outside, organic feed for animals, etc. were fulfilled.

Organic

This product does not meet the USDA conditions but according to the National Organics Standards Board, there are at least 95% of the ingredients that have the Board's approval for organic use.

Made with organic ingredients

This organic food certification means that at least 70% of all vegetables, milk, and meat was produced using organic ingredients.

Free Range (or Cage Free) and Natural

This is where it gets a bit tricky. The USDA regulates the use of these terms and applies it to poultry but not to eggs. There is no clean meaning of what "outdoor" or "cage free" means. "Natural" is another confusing label. Chicken, meat, and milk are always natural in some sense. The definition includes broad conditions like it can be any food produce besides meat and poultry that cannot have: artificial coloring, chemical preservatives or ingredients. It should also be processed minimally. Unfortunately, there is no organic food certification process for meat and poultry producers they must follow before putting up "organic" on their products.

At this time it all rests with USDA, whether this will help clear up this confusion or not remains to be seen.