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USDA Organic Labeling

Labels and other marketing material used to represent products as organic must meet the requirements set forth in the USDA Organic Regulations §§205.300-205.311.

RETAIL LABELS. QCS must review and approve all labels used on retail packaging prior to printing.

  • The information panel displays the statement “Certified Organic by (Quality Certification Services/QCS)” below the information identifying the handler or distributor of the product, with no printed material or information in between.
  • All organic ingredients are identified in the ingredient statement with the term “organic” or with an asterisk or other mark.
  • The USDA Seal, if used, replicates the form and design as described in §205.311 and is printed legibly and conspicuously.
  • The QCS logo, if used, is not displayed more prominently than the USDA seal.
  • The information panel displays the statement “Certified Organic by (Quality Certification Services/QCS)” below the information identifying the handler or distributor of the product, with no printed material or information in between.
  • All organic ingredients are identified in the ingredient statement with the term “organic” or with an asterisk or other mark.
  • The USDA Seal, if used, replicates the form and design as described in §205.311 and is printed legibly and conspicuously.
  • The QCS logo, if used, is not displayed more prominently than the USDA seal.
  • The information panel displays the statement “Certified Organic by (Quality Certification Services/QCS)” below the information identifying the handler or distributor of the product, with no printed material or information in between.
  • All organic ingredients are identified in the ingredient statement with the term “organic” or with an asterisk or other mark.
  • The principle display panel may state “Made with organic (specified ingredients or food groups)”: Provided, That, the statement does not list more than three organically produced ingredients or three of the following food groups: beans, fish, fruits, grains, herbs, meats, nuts, oils, poultry, seeds, spices, sweeteners, and vegetables or processed milk product. The statement may list 3 ingredients or 3 food groups, not a combination of both. If it lists food groups, all ingredients of each listed food group in the product must be organically produced.
  • The “Made with organic ***” statement, if used, may not exceed one-half the size of the largest type size on the panel and which appears in its entirety in the same type size, style, and color without highlighting.
  • The label may list he percentage of organic ingredients in the product. The size of the percentage statement must not exceed one-half the size of the largest type size on the panel on which the statement is displayed and must appear in its entirety in the same type size, style, and color without highlighting.

NON-RETAIL CONTAINERS USED TO SHIP OR STORE ORGANIC PRODUCTS. §205.307

  • Labeling must identify the product as organic unless organic identification on the retail label, within the non-retail container, is visible.
  • Labeling must display the production lot number, shipping identification, or other unique information that links to container to audit trail documentation. Audit documentation must be sufficient to determine the source, transfer of ownership, transportation, and last certified operation that handled that organic agricultural product.

USDA Labeling Resources

The National Organic Program offers guidance to help organic producers understand labeling categories and requirements:

Labeling Organic Products Website

Labeling Packaged Products Under the National Organic Standards

Policy Memo: Placement of “Certified Organic by ***” Statement

Guidance: Products in the “Made with Organic ***” Labeling Category

Policy Memo: Labeling of Alcoholic Beverages with Organic References

Policy Memo: Labeling of Textiles that Contain Organic Ingredients

NOP 5037 Draft Guidance Calculating the Percentage of Organic Ingredients in Multi-Ingredient Products

Go back to Organic Labeling page
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