Understanding Organic Product Composition: A Comparative Analysis of USDA NOP and Indian NPOP Standards

Organic certification is crucial for ensuring that products meet specific standards of organic production, processing, and labeling. In both the United States and India, organic certification systems—the National Organic Program (NOP) under the USDA and the National Programme for Organic Production (NPOP)—provide clear guidelines on how products should be composed and labeled to be considered organic. Although both standards share common principles, there are notable differences in how they categorize and define organic product composition. This article provides a detailed comparison between the USDA NOP and Indian NPOP standards regarding product composition and labeling.

USDA NOP Organic Product Composition Status

The USDA's National Organic Program (NOP) offers four distinct categories for labeling organic products based on their composition:

1. 100% Organic:

- Definition: Products in this category must contain only 100% organic ingredients (excluding water and salt) and must not include any synthetic substances.

- Labeling: Products may display the "100% Organic" label and can use the USDA Organic seal.

2. Organic:

- Definition: Products in this category must contain at least 95% organic ingredients by weight (excluding water and salt). The remaining 5% can consist of non-organic ingredients or synthetic substances, but only if they are on the USDA's National List of Allowed and Prohibited Substances.

- Labeling: These products can be labeled as "Organic" and may also feature the USDA Organic seal.

3. Made with Organic:

- Definition: Products must contain at least 70% organic ingredients. The remaining 30% can be non-organic, but the non-organic ingredients cannot be produced using certain methods (like genetic engineering or irradiation).

- Labeling: The label can state "Made with Organic [specific ingredients]" but cannot display the USDA Organic seal.

4. Less than 70% Organic Ingredients:

- Definition: Products containing less than 70% organic ingredients fall into this category.

- Labeling: These products cannot use the word "organic" on the principal display panel but may list the organic ingredients on the information panel.

Indian NPOP Organic Product Composition Status

The Indian National Programme for Organic Production (NPOP) categorizes organic products differently:

1. Certified Organic:

- Definition: Products that are labeled as "Certified Organic" must contain 100% organic ingredients, similar to the "100% Organic" category under the USDA NOP.

- Labeling: Products can use the "India Organic" seal, indicating they meet the 100% organic composition standard.

2. Organic:

- Definition: Products in this category must contain at least 95% organic ingredients by weight, excluding water and salt. The remaining 5% can include permitted non-organic substances listed in the NPOP's National Standards for Organic Production.

- Labeling: These products can be labeled as "Organic" and may display the "India Organic" seal.

3. Made with Organic Ingredients:

- Definition: Products must contain at least 70% organic ingredients. The remaining 30% can include non-organic ingredients, provided they adhere to specific NPOP guidelines.

- Labeling: The product can be labeled as "Made with Organic [specific ingredients]" but cannot use the "India Organic" seal.

4. Less than 70% Organic Ingredients:

- Definition: Products with less than 70% organic ingredients are classified here.

- Labeling: These products cannot use the term "organic" on the main label, but they can list the organic ingredients on the back panel.

Comparative Analysis

While the USDA NOP and Indian NPOP both categorize organic products based on the percentage of organic ingredients, there are slight differences in the terminology and application of seals:

- 100% Organic vs. Certified Organic: The USDA NOP's "100% Organic" and the Indian NPOP's "Certified Organic" essentially correspond, both requiring all ingredients to be organic. However, the USDA NOP uses the term "100% Organic," while the NPOP uses "Certified Organic."

- Organic (USDA) vs. Organic (NPOP): Both programs define this category similarly, requiring at least 95% organic ingredients. Both allow the use of their respective organic seals.

- Made with Organic vs. Made with Organic Ingredients: The categories align in both systems, requiring at least 70% organic content. However, neither allows the use of the organic seal, though they can specify which ingredients are organic on the label.

- Less than 70% Organic Ingredients: Both systems prohibit the use of the term "organic" on the principal display panel if a product contains less than 70% organic ingredients, but they allow for the listing of organic ingredients on the information panel.

Both the USDA NOP and Indian NPOP provide robust frameworks for organic certification, ensuring that consumers receive products that meet high standards of organic production. The key differences lie in the terminology and the specific seals used, but the underlying principles remain consistent. For businesses and consumers alike, understanding these distinctions is essential for navigating the global organic market and ensuring compliance with regional certification standards.

Organil Services remains committed to providing expert guidance on organic certification processes, helping businesses align with both USDA NOP and Indian NPOP standards to achieve certification and meet consumer expectations for organic products.

---

I included a comparison between the USDA and Indian NPOP standards, focusing on terminology, labeling, and certification.

Lets Stop with a Question of how is the Product composition Status as per EU Regulation 2018/848 ?

?? (Written by Anil M V, 24 years experience, {Bsc. Agric, MBA, CTP} Founder, * Organil Services)Mobi # +91 8606551335

Website : www.organil.org Email : [email protected] Admin Email : [email protected]