Guide to Decoding Labels

When strolling through the grocery store or farmer’s market, one may notice an abundance of “natural,” “eco-friendly,” or “cruelty-free” products. On earth-toned packaging, pictures of smiling animals promise “locally sourced” ingredients and “free range” farming. While some of these products may boast true environmental benefits, there is no standard for words like “natural,” “local,” or “cage free” to ensure the shopper is getting what they pay for.

So, how can a shopper identify truly eco-friendly products? Grocery store certifications are the first step to understanding the food on your plate. Certifications help shoppers consider the impact of food and understand the journey from farm to table. Below is a list of common green labels that outline clear standards for certification and guarantee greener products.

USDA Organic

Perhaps the most familiar certification in grocery stores, USDA Organic is awarded only to those meeting strict standards set by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Many products are marketed as “organic”; however, USDA certification is the only guarantee for genuine organic products. To be certified organic, products must meet standards on soil quality, animal raising practices, pest and weed control, and use of additives. Organic farms and products typically rely on natural substances and biologically based farming methods, with no use of synthetic pesticides, genetically modified organisms (GMOs), or antibiotics. Likewise, in order to remain USDA Organic certified requires routine inspections of farming practices. Because of these standards, USDA Organic certification is a trustworthy label to look for in the grocery store.

Non-GMO Verified

Another common grocery store certification is Non-GMO Verified, or a certification from the Non-GMO Project that verifies a product contains no genetically modified ingredients. The Non-GMO Project is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing verifiable non-GMO alternatives to consumers. What constitutes a GMO is often up for debate; but according to the Non-GMO Project, a GMO is defined by:

“A GMO, or genetically modified organism, is a plant, animal, microorganism or other organism whose genetic makeup has been modified in a laboratory using genetic engineering or transgenic technology. This creates combinations of plant, animal, bacterial and virus genes that do not occur in nature or through traditional crossbreeding methods.”

GMOs are a controversial topic, with arguments for both pro-GMO and anti-GMO. Regardless of your stance on GMOs, the Non-GMO Verified certification requires a product to meet strict standards on genetically modified organisms. However, the Non-GMO verification does not guarantee a product is organic, but only that it contains no genetic modification. The USDA Organic prohibits the use of GMOs in order to meet the organic standard. For this reason, shoppers should first search for the USDA Organic certification. Non-GMO Verified is only useful if shoppers are looking to avoid GMO products.

Fair Trade Certified

Unlike many green certifications, Fair Trade certification considers both the environmental and social impact of a product. Fair Trade certification is awarded by Fair Trade USA, a non-profit organization focused on creating sustainable livelihoods for farmers, workers, and communities while upholding environmental standards. Compliance for fair trade certification is grouped into 6 categories:

Empowerment
Fundamental rights at work
Wages, working conditions, and access to services
Biodiversity, ecosystem function, and sustainable production
Traceability and transparency
Internal management system

Fair Trade certification can be a lengthy and rigorous process, and products are often significantly more expensive due to increased standards for human and environmental wellbeing. However, when you purchase fair trade, you can be confident the product contributed positively to both the environment and local communities. Because of the consideration for both people and the environment, Fair Trade certified is perhaps the most sustainable label to search for in the grocery store.

Rainforest Alliance Certified

Similar to Fair Trade certification, Rainforest Alliance certification addresses sustainable social, economic, and ecological practices. Rainforest Alliance Certification is provided by the non-profit organization Rainforest Alliance; the Rainforest Alliance works to combat a variety of issues including deforestation, climate change, and social injustice in rainforest communities. Agriculture compliance standards are based on 5 sustainability principles:

Effective planning and management systems
Biodiversity conservation
Natural resource conservation
Improved livelihoods and human well-being
Sustainable cattle production

Rainforest Alliance Certification also requires Integrated Pest Management (IPM) to minimize damage from pesticides and balance the loss of crops from pests. More interestingly, remaining Rainforest Alliance Certified requires continuous improvement of sustainability practices. Once a product meets the baseline for certification, it is expected to continually improve on sustainability. For shoppers who are concerned about climate change and rainforest conservation, this certification provides reassurance the product is working to minimize its overall impact.

Animal Welfare Approved

With many animal products claiming “cage-free,” “free-range,” or “grass-fed,” finding trustworthy humane products can be a difficult task. While USDA Organic certification prohibits the use of antibiotics and growth hormones, the standards for animal living conditions do not guarantee humane practices. To find reliable humane products, one label shoppers should look out for is Certified Animal Welfare Approved. Through the non-profit organization A Greener World (AGW), Animal Welfare Approved certification assures shoppers receive products raised to the highest animal welfare standards. Animal Welfare Approved certification standards include:

Animals must be raised on pasture or range
Dual production prohibited
Approval awarded only to independent farmers
Specialized standards for each domesticated species

Certification from AGW is based on the specialized needs for individual species and the overall welfare of both animals and the environment. The strict standards on welfare can reassure shoppers that animals received humane treatment and lived the best life possible.

Certified Humane

For another dependable humane label, shoppers can search for Certified Humane. Through the non-profit organization Humane Farm Animal Care, Certified Humane is rewarded to farms practicing sustainable and responsible animal farming. Certification prohibits cages, crates, and tie stalls; animals must have the space to freely move about and partake in naturally occurring behaviors. Likewise, animals must receive quality feed without animal by-products, antibiotics, or growth hormones. To ensure the standards are continually upheld, farms must undergo routine inspections by animal scientists and veterinarians specializing in each species. When a product is Certified Humane, shoppers can feel confident in the quality of care for animals and the environment.

With this list of labels, your next trip to the grocery store will leave you feeling confident in the quality of your purchases. Products claiming “natural” or “free-range” will no longer faze you as you calmly search the aisles for dependable green products. However, keep in mind; because certifications are often costly, smaller companies and farms may not boast labels such as organic or fair trade. This does not mean products are not environmentally friendly, but rather, certification is not affordable. Although these certifications provide a helpful tool for identifying more eco-friendly products, a true eco-conscious shopper should rely on more than grocery store labels. Research the products, companies, and farms to understand the complete environmental impact. By educating yourself on the products you purchase, you can help to ensure both the success of genuine green products and true stewardship of the environment.