Posts Tagged ‘Non-GMO’
Do you buy organic, or do you think it’s just marketing hype? It’s a big deal, and not the same as calling something “healthy” or “natural.” Organic food labeling laws are specific. Know the difference before you walk into the grocery store, so you know what you’re getting.
Hi, again, Dear Readers:
So I’m back with another “joint” blog post about an issue you may or may not think much about: organics. What is it, and why does it cost more?
Sometimes I buy organic things for one reason or another, especially if they’re on sale. Even though Aldi and Walmart have a fair selection of organic foods, they’re not something people buy often here. In Houston and other big cities, you’ll find more organic devotees. Over time, we’ve found some favorites, and a few happen to be organic. James, of course, is not impressed when I get anything organic, even if it’s something he will be consuming.
I’ve talked about organics before, but now I can’t find that blog. But never mind, let’s delve into this issue a little with some help from my new BFF.
Going Organic
Walk down nearly any grocery aisle and you’ll see it: that smug little green label whispering, I’m better than you.
Source: ChatGPT
“Organic” food has become the status symbol of the shopping cart. But what’s really behind that label—and what happens when brands stretch the truth? Spoiler: sometimes it ends with a lawsuit and a lot of PR damage control.
What “Organic” Really Means, Legally
Let’s start with the facts. “Organic” isn’t just a marketing term someone slapped on a granola bar after meditating. It’s defined and regulated by the USDA National Organic Program (NOP).
Source: ChatGPT
To legally carry that USDA Organic seal, a product must:
- Be grown without synthetic fertilizers or pesticides
- Avoid GMOs (genetically modified organisms) entirely
- Use organic feed and humane practices for livestock
- Be verified by a certified organic inspector
And the rules go deep—even the soil, seed sources, and processing methods are part of the certification process. This can include all manner of agricultural products, including plants and seeds. My plant-based hair color is also certified organic, but that’s not the main reason I buy it. The USDA has a series on its website called “Organic 101,” where the agency offers a wealth of information if you want to know more.
Organic farming is also not as sustainable or practical as conventional farming. Buying from local farmers is one of the best ways to get more organic foods, along with growing your own.
For products labeled “Made with Organic Ingredients,” the bar is lower (at least 70% organic content), but the claim still has legal teeth. So yes, there’s real meaning and real oversight behind that little green label.
Why People Pay More for Organic
I used to know someone in Houston who was more into organic than I was. She invited me (along with the guy I was seeing at the time) to a Sunday dinner with her parents, nice folks I’d met before. We were talking about something related to food related when her father said, “I don’t understand why you girls will pay an extra dollar for a can of cr*p because it says ‘organic’ on the label!” I didn’t know what to say, frankly, but our hostess, his daughter, just smiled at him. (We were in our late 40’s at the time.) Otherwise, it was a nice visit.
The late Suzanne Somers became a devotee of organic food after her original cancer diagnosis. After her passing in 2023, her husband, Alan Hamel, said that her adoption of organic food and a non-toxic lifestyle gave her many more years of life than she would have had otherwise.
Source: ChatGPT
Not everyone has that kind of situation. However, there are some legitimate reasons to spend extra on organic:
- Reduced exposure to pesticides: This is especially important for children and pregnant women.
- Environmental impact: Organic farming tends to improve soil health and biodiversity.
- Animal welfare: Organic livestock receive more humane treatment, and routine antibiotics are not allowed.
- Taste and freshness: Some people insist that organic produce tastes better, especially local or seasonal crops. That’s an individual preference, but people who have enjoyed something truly home-grown and not laden with synthetic pesticides know what that is.
In other words, you’re not just buying food, but also a philosophy. That philosophy comes at a premium, and that’s when things can get legally complicated.
The Gray Areas: “Natural,” “Healthy,” and “Clean”
Here’s where the halo slips. Terms like “natural,” “clean,” and “healthy” are basically the Wild West of food labeling.
- “Natural” has no consistent FDA definition. It doesn’t mean organic, non-GMO, or chemical-free—only that the product didn’t magically appear in a lab.
- “Healthy” is being redefined, but has historically been based on outdated fat/sugar ratios. Today, it could mean sugar-free, gluten-free, allergy-free, or free of a specific allergen like eggs, nuts, or corn.
- “Clean” isn’t regulated at all. It’s marketing poetry, not science. Like “healthy,” it could mean the absence of a specific substance or ingredient.
And when those words get plastered across packaging, consumers often assume legal weight where none exists. (I’ve been stung a few times by stuff that had no business in my shopping cart.) That confusion has led to a line of class-action lawsuits that read like your pantry’s lineup.
Famous Food Label Lawsuits
A few big names learned the hard way that “creative labeling” can backfire:
- Kashi (Kellogg’s): Sued for calling cereals “All Natural” despite containing synthetic and genetically modified ingredients. Settled for $4 million.
- Wesson Oil: Claimed “100% Natural” while allegedly using genetically modified corn. The case dragged on for years before a settlement. (It ended in 2023.)
- Kind Bars: Faced scrutiny for the word “healthy” due to fat content (mostly from nuts, but still a no-go under the old rules). In 2022, the company prevailed in a lawsuit over “natural” ingredients, and an appellate court agreed with the company. I have bought some of them primarily because they were gluten-free, but they do have some sugar.
None of these companies went to trial, but the settlements and bad press were a wake-up call. There’s a fine line between clever marketing and consumer deception. I’m all for free trade and capitalism, but not at the expense of truth in advertising. That’s why it’s important to understand what’s in the food you buy that you might believe to be healthier. Start by reading the labels (no matter what your significant other says).
How to Read Between the Labels
A few practical takeaways for your next grocery run:
- “Organic” = USDA certified and inspected
- “Made with organic ingredients” = still has standards, just looser
- “Natural” = legally meaningless
- “Clean” = just vibes, intending to indicate ingredients without toxins, wheat, gluten, or other undesirable additives.
Read the list of ingredients because they’ll tell you more than the buzzwords ever will. Like calling something “gluten-free,” which also has federal requirements, you should know what you’re getting with no surprises.
One Final Bite
Buying organic can be worth it, for your health, your family, and peace of mind. But don’t let a label do your thinking for you. “Organic” has legal standards, while “natural” has a marketing department.
Next time a product screams “All Natural!” in fancy script, remember, so are tobacco and arsenic.
Looking for a more fun topic for my next blog post. Until then:
Happy Dining!
Good Morning, Dear Readers:
It’s been an interesting week, and I’m inspired to write first thing in the morning. In the last couple of weeks, I’ve upgraded the memory on my small laptop, fixed an air conditioner problem, almost fixed the washing machine (that’s OK, the nice repair guy finished what I started), all with the help of YouTube.
You can fix nearly any problem in your life with a YouTube video.
I also got enough stars on my Starbucks card to have a gold card (long story, but it’s mine) and re-connected with a Buddhist who I used to know in New Orleans, but now happily lives in central California with her new partner. Facebook is also a great thing, long as you don’t put TOO much there.
I’ve got a few more things to do, and I hope to shampoo the carpets this weekend, but life is buzzing along in different areas.
We’ve had a good dousing rain this week, and the plants couldn’t be happier. (Is the drought over yet?) Heck, the weeds love it too, because I haven’t gotten out there to get rid of them. When the rain stops, I plan to get some weeding done, and maybe yank out the “houseplant-gone-wild” stuff out front. It’s about to grow into our living rooms. Neighbor K and I dug up most of that stuff a couple of years ago, and it was mostly gone, except for where we stopped. It’s growing now, under the stairs, where we quit digging. We’re expecting the second cool front next week, and if I can get around to it, I’ll do some fall gardening and weeding. The garden is about the same as last week, just waiting for stuff to grow more.
I think it’s raining all over the world. . . .
Last night I went out foraging (shopping) and my beloved grocery store HEB has foot-high potted basil plants for $4 each. I didn’t buy one last night but am considering it. I need to re-stock the pine nuts, but if I get one or two. . .would that gives me one more pesto batch? The little basil stubs I have may not grow big enough to give me more, so, I’m thinking about it. You know I love my pesto.
Before I went out, I went through the coupon stash I’ve been collecting, and it’s amazing that so many had expired. Need to keep up with that, but I managed to find a few I could use. I sat down to watch the very handsome and manly Mike Rowe do some Dirty Jobs while I cut them. One of those jobs was going to an animal sanctuary and handling a 5-month-old “Ti-Liger,” a hybrid big cat with a milder temperament that would eventually become about 1,000 pounds. It was just a big kitten, no kidding, and probably weighed at least 65 pounds during this filming. The job was to walk this animal and wash its beautiful fur. No kidding. Mr. Rowe was a bit nervous with a carnivore with huge paws sporting very sharp retractable claws. Much as I love the felines, I do not want to deal with that cat’s litter box. I bought two of those plastic bottles of cat litter so I wouldn’t run out for a while. The 15-pound cat in here is enough for me.
I also am trying out Sheba cat food for Jezebel–it’s a couple of cents cheaper per can, and I found several coupons for it. However, despite the beautiful kitty in the advertising that looks a lot like my deceased Catmandu, Sheba also uses responsibly sourced fish and does not contain corn, wheat/grains, or soy. I mistakenly bought a can of chicken and tuna last night, but she gobbled it up this morning. I think we’re changing cat foods around here. Wish I’d tried this with Catmandu and Kismet, but we just move forward, not backward.
I also clipped a coupon for Silk’s refrigerated coconut milk, which I bought one of to try. It’s fine. . .no soy, no lactose, all that. I like the shelf-stable stuff the best.
A trip through Target, and then onto HEB, netted me a couple of things that my longtime friend The E-Man can get behind. I’ve known him since October 1988; he can tell you the date and time I met him; he’s one of the first members I met when I relocated to New Orleans from California. When I got married in 1996, we put him in a tuxedo to make him behave; it sort of worked. But until about 12 years ago, I didn’t know The E-Man was allergic to eggs. It’s OK if the eggs are IN something, like a muffin, but eating them as I do, hard-boiled, scrambled, etc., no.
That means mayonnaise is out, too–especially the fresh stuff I whip up in a blender.
Last year, I told you about lab-grown beef and eggless mayonnaise, which The E-Man might like. Last night, I found some in Target. Called Just Mayo, an 8-ounce bottle costs $1.99 in SuperTarget. (I also got some Blue Plate Mayonnaise for $2.24 at HEB.) Since there aren’t any SuperTargets in his neck of the woods, a quick search shows that Dollar Tree and Whole Foods in his area carry it.
Dollar Tree? Ok, whatever. DT also carries it here, but I don’t know where they are. Target is fine with me.
The company, Hampton Creek, also makes cookies, but I didn’t see them in Target. There is also a larger jar of Just Mayo, but I didn’t look at the price on it.
Now, if you know someone who is allergic to eggs, take note, they may be able to enjoy mayo. Take a look, and compare it to Blue Plate Mayonnaise I got at HEB last night:
Mayo: one regular, one vegan.
Why Blue Plate? I grew up with it, so to me, that’s what mayonnaise means. No, I do NOT like Miracle Whip. I don’t mess with Blue Plate too often, though.
So what’s the difference? Well, this is what’s in your standard commercial mayonnaise:
Yes, I know. . .but I don’t use it very often. But hey–it’s gluten free!!
Now check out the ingredients in the vegan mayo:
No eggs. Have at it, E-Man!
Unusual ingredients, non-GMO is always good; pea protein is something I see occasionally in other foods, like Larabar’s Alt Bars. It’s how they keep from using soy in it.
Now, I haven’t tried this new stuff yet, but I will soon. I actually like mayonnaise, and if I get ambitious and make some gluten-free bread to go with meatloaf anytime soon, that will be the first way I try it. (I prefer home-made mayo with olive oil, though.)
If you have someone who can’t have standard mayonnaise, this might be an alternative for you. You can read more at Hampton Creek’s website and decide for yourself. Much as I’m not a veeeeeegan, alternatives are usually a good thing.
When Hurricane Ike hit in 2008, I ended up at his place. Irony–going TO New Orleans to evacuate for a hurricane. I was there nine days. The E-Man keeps his cool at all times. I can’t say I do that a lot. But I gave his wife as much of a break from cooking as I could. I did create a chicken salad for them that had no mayo, and was, I think, pretty darn good. I based it on a Giada de Laurentiis recipe, using a rotisserie chicken, and a vinaigrette kind of dressing, tossed in some sliced grapes, and it turned out well. I haven’t made it since, but I do have a printout in my notebook of recipes I’ve printed from the web.
The E-man also likes his coffee, as does his wife. I’ve brought them Central Market’s coffee a number of times, and I also got him a Central Market logo coffee cup many years ago, when they had them. (I think I still have one myself.)
FREE COFFEE ALERT: McDonald’s is promoting their McCafe’ coffee by offering a free small coffee every day during breakfast hours from now until September 29th. I haven’t gotten over there yet, but be forewarned that McDonald’s has sugar and Equal (blue stuff.) They don’t have Sweet ‘N Low, so if you don’t want Equal, bring your own. McDonald’s coffee is actually pretty good, I just don’t go in there very often. If you’re over 60 or 65, I think it’s half price, but again, during the morning, small coffees are FREE! Check it out if you’re interested.
Another thing I got from HEB last night was some coffee I haven’t bought in a long time–HEB’s store brand breakfast blend:
Hello, old friend!
When I first moved to Houston, I used to buy this for me and my ex-husband, although it used to be regular. I forgot how good it is, and had some just this morning. Why haven’t I bought this for so long? I think it was about $7, much less than the Starbucks coffee I thought about getting in Target. I’m not knocking Starbucks, of course, but I sure did miss this one. I think I’ll be having this more often, too.
Is there a penalty for drinking it from a Starbucks coffee cup? Well, it sure was good.
Don’t knock grocery store coffee. You might be surprised at what you find.
If you really, REALLY enjoy coffee, you might want to check out Nick Usborne’s website, Coffee Detective. Nick loves coffee, and discusses different types of coffee, coffee makers, and all things coffee. You can read about my favorite method, the French Press, at this link; he also has videos on the subject.
Would Nick like this coffee? Heck, I dunno. What you like might not be what I like, and what you and I like might not be what Nick likes–but isn’t that what makes life interesting?
Think I need another cup, y’all.
Fall fruits are starting to come out, and I got a couple of small Bartlett pears; they’re ripening on my altar. But in about a month, you KNOW what’s coming.
Pomegranates!!! I LIVE for pomegranate season. I don’t care about the mess they make, or the little red arils that I find on the floor sometimes when I vacuum. I LOOOOVE pomegranates.
Off I go, on with my day. Make it a good one, everyone!
