Sustainable Food Labels: What Do They Mean?
Wondering what sustainable food labels really mean? This guide shares information on reliable sustainable food labels you can trust.
Shopping to lower your “foodprint” can be challenging. With so many food labels, logos and certifications claiming foods are sustainably produced, certified organic, or humanely raised, how do you know what they mean or if they’re even legit? It’s a real concern because some food labels guarantee that a food has been raised and produced in a way that may align with your values, while others merely suggest certain standards were met or practices were used—no guarantee. You’ve likely seen a dizzying array of these sustainable food labels when you shop. Many are reliable, such as Certified Organic , Fair Trade Certified, Rainforest Alliance Certified , Certified Humane Raised and Handled, Biodynamic, Regenerative Organic Certified, and more. Sadly, there are just as many that are not. “Greenwashing”—misleading information about how products are environmentally sound—is out there.
More than ever, consumers are looking to shop for sustainably produced and raised products. Studies show that a majority of consumers worldwide believe that purchasing food items produced in an environmentally sustainable manner is important, and more than a third are willing to pay more for them. For many, seeking specific sustainability labels on the packaging is part of our shopping routine.
Essentially, sustainable eating means a way of eating that values people, animals, and the planet, and makes sure healthy food is available both now and in the future; produced in a way that doesn’t harm natural resources, like land and water, and protects wildlife. That’s a lot, so it makes sense that there are a lot of certifications and claims to take into consideration when purchasing sustainable food products. Confusing as it may be, it’s worthwhile to learn the different types of labels and the meaning behind them to ensure you make choices that align with your values.
6 Sustainable Food Labels You Can Trust
The Certified USDA Organic label is a reliable program that ensures food is grown through the exclusion of most synthetic fertilizers, chemicals, or chemical sludge. It symbolizes that the methods of production and process in which organic foods are grown have been approved. The USDA National Organic Program oversees and regulates that all organic products follow specific agricultural methods that are safe for both society and nature. It is important to check for a certified USDA label, as well as the identification of organic ingredients on the nutrition facts label when identifying organically grown foods. Buying foods with this stamp means they are verified organic in all steps of production, from farm to store. Learn more about organics here.
Certified Humane Raised and Handled
The Certified Humane Label is a reliable source requiring that animals are allowed to engage in natural behaviors, which means that they have sufficient space to grow and live without use of cages, crates, or stalls, are handled in a gentle manner, treated properly, and are fed a quality diet without antibiotics or growth hormones. Essentially, this sustainable food label assures consumers that the food products they are purchasing derive from environments in which the farm animals are treated in a humane manner, from birth to market.
The Fair Trade certification is a global movement whose goal is to provide fair prices for farmers, better wages for workers, safe working conditions, and environmental-friendly production. Fair Trade emphasizes the importance of improving the lives of communities and families, especially those in developing countries. This reliable source highlights the importance of providing benefits of trade in an equal manner, specifically for those who have been directly affected by climate change, inequality, and educational opportunities. Products bearing this label have been produced using a model that improves lives, protects the environment, and builds resilient and transparent supply chains.
The Rainforest Alliance seal promotes collective action for people and nature, focusing on the beneficial impacts of responsible choices throughout the entire production process. Products and ingredients are produced with sustainability, supporting people, the economy, and the environment. All are certified and audited annually by independent inspectors, which exemplifies a reliable source. Standards of certification are based on the protection of forests, climate, human rights, and livelihoods. This seal means that all workers and farmers have been treated fairly and that crops are sustainably grown. The intertwinement of environmental and social aspects that the Rainforest Alliance supports, also contributes to the changes that need to be made in order to improve the world around us.
Demeter Certified Biodynamic is a reliable source that has similar characteristics to the Certified Organic label in the sense that products are grown without genetic engineering, synthetic fertilizers, or pesticides. However, Demeter Biodynamic also requires strict adherence to imported fertility, solutions for pest- and disease-control, and particular conditions for water conservation. Demeter Biodynamic emphasizes the idea that agriculture can heal the planet when proper methods are implemented for the growth of crops. This seal represents the importance of protecting the land through responsible production of food, fuel, and fiber. Learn more about biodynamic farming here.
Regenerative Organic Certified
The Regenerative Organic certification means that the farms and products with this specific label fulfill optimal requirements for a variety of sustainable agricultural methods, including soil health, animal welfare, and farmworker fairness. Regenerative agriculture is beneficial for food products as well as for humanity because it avoids the incorporation of chemicals, pollution, factory farming, exploitation, habitat destruction, and income inequality. Purchasing products with this certification supports efforts to minimize the long-term issues we face today, such as climate change, factory farming, and broken rural economies.
Learn more about sustainable food labels in this great resource from Tufts here.
For other blogs on sustainable eating, check out the following:
Top 11 Tips for Sustainable Eating
7 Steps to Go Plant-Based
4 Ways to Eat for the Environment
What is a Sustainable Eating Style?
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