Organic Products

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Definition

USDA provides this national definition for Certified Organic Products and use of its Label:

Organic products are produced without toxic & persistent pesticides & fertilizers, genetically modified organisms (GMOs), antibiotics, irradiation, sewage sludge or added hormones.

Branding

The USDA Seal Provides Strong Brand Recognition Ensuring Consumer Confidence

Who Uses Organic Products?

Over 40% of the people in the US purchase organic food, textiles and other non-food products such as personal care items. Plastic made from organic corn is the newest product segment being developed for the consumer market.

Companies Offering Organic Foods:

Companies Offering Products made with Organic Cotton:

Growth of Organic Industry Sales in billions

Source: Datamonitor, Natural Foods Merchandiser, Organic Trade Association

*In 2003, sales were $10.4 billion!!!

Education

The Center has a singular mission to provide consumers, health care professionals, educators, public officials, &

government agencies with credible, scientific information about the organic benefit, thus accelerating the consumer

switch from conventional to organic products.

Organic Center Continued…

Organic Production Provides:

o Healthier and better tasting food

o Elimination of hazardous waste frompesticide & fertilizer manufacturing, mining, & refining

o Improvements in ecological health of farmland including biodiversity

Additional Benefits

o Improved animal health & welfare

o Major reduction in pesticide risks especially to children

o Reduces bacterial resistance to antibiotics

o Avoids unknown risks of GMOs

Chocolate for the Birds

Many birds visiting your yard during the summer migrate to and from Latin America where their habitat is being increasingly converted to sun-grown chocolate plantations.

Shade grown chocolate supports natural predators keeping insects in check so farmers don’t use harmful pesticides.

Sustainable Organic Cocoa

Organic Products Add Value

Supermarket News: retailers believe organic is good for business (Sept. 2003)

Organic Growth is Steady

For over a decade, organic farming continues to be a fast-growing segment of US agriculture. Producers are turning to certified organic to lower costs, use renewable resources, capture high-value markets and premium prices, and boost farm income.

(ERS/USDA June 2003)

Organic is Profitable

Sales are projected to reach $31 billion by 2007. 21.4% annual growth rate between 2002 & 2007

(Datamonitor 2003)

Impacts on Organic Industry Growth

Merger & acquisitions

International trade growth

Mainstreaming of products

Consumer demand for healthy & sustainable

products

USDA Label

Why Go Organic?"My niche is supporting the environment through the growth of organic agriculture." (Nell Newman)

“Americans care about the environment. Buying organic products has a big collective impact. Farmers, manufacturers and retailers respond to consumers’ buying decisions.” (Greg Griffith, NWF’s Director of Cause Related Marketing)

New Study…

Pesticide Residue State of Science Review released by the Organic Center reinforces that organic products do not contain the high levels of multiple pesticide residues found in conventional products, and that for infants and children, these residues can have long-term adverse health effects.

Consumers Like Organic

“More than 60 percent of American shoppers believe that organic foods are better for their health.”

(Food Marketing Institute & Prevention Magazine Dec. 2002)

Where Do Consumers Buy Organic?

Find out more about Organic

http://www.atoexpo.com

Co-located at McCormick Center in Chicago, IL with:

Find out more about Organic:

http://www.organic-center.orghttp://www.ota.comPromoting and protecting the organic industry since 1985.

Defines Sustainable Agriculture for Textile Including Organic Production

http://mts.sustainableproducts.com/standards.htm

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