Definitions are important, I was reminded after receiving a letter from the Public Affairs Office of the United States Department of Agriculture in response to a recent column on food labeling. “There ...

If you buy something from a link, Vox Media may earn a commission. See our ethics statement. One morning in 2015, instead of heading into the fields, a group of about 50 farmers gathered in a parking ...

"Natural" and "organic" are common on food labels, but the terms can be confusing. "Natural" labeling is simple, but vague. "Organic" labeling is more complicated. There are, however, specific ...

You would think seafood couldn’t get more organic than a thick filet of wild salmon fresh from the pristine waters of Nova Scotia’s Bay of Fundy. Well, you’d be wrong. And if you’re confused, then you ...

A long-running debate over how to define “organic” for things like vegetables and chicken has now flared into a raging controversy dividing farmers and involving everything from accusations of ...

“Organic” might be the most abused word in the English language. Chemists, farmers, and marketers all use it—and none of them mean the same thing. The result is a label that can make Oreos, cigarettes ...

Words like “organic” and even “free-range” are more marketing language than anything else, but now the Department of Agriculture has changed that a bit. A new rule establishes stricter USDA criteria ...

Walk through any grocery store and the word "organic" appears on seemingly everything from baby food to dog treats. It has ...

Is “USDA Organic” really organic? The Real Organic Project supports farmers who say the “Certified Organic” definition should prioritize soil health and sustainable farming methods. Navigating food ...

Just over a month ago, the Department of Agriculture announced that it will allow American farmers to plant genetically engineered alfalfa, which is widely used as feed for dairy cows and horses.

The organic food industry is a booming business, with sales surging last year by 12.4% to $61.9 billion. However, most people don't know what "organic" really means. In 2014, brand consultancy BFG ...