What does "Natural" mean anyway?

The American Agricultural Law Association, on its Ag & Food Law Blog, recently wrote on the topic of "natural" labels on food:

"Consumer Reports National Research Center released a poll revealing that 59 percent of consumers check to see if they are buying “natural” products even though there is 'no federal or third-party verified label for the term....'"

Moreover, Consumer Reports indicated that more than 80 percent of consumers think that the labeling of food as natural should connote that the food is free of artificial ingredients, pesticides, and genetically modified organisms.

So far, the FDA has chosen not to exercise its authority to define "natural."

Consumer Reports is currently seeking signatures for a petition to the FDA requesting that the FDA prohibit the use of the term "natural"on food labels.

Neil Pederson, J.D expected 2015, William Mitchell College of Law.

USDA: Pesticide Levels are Safe; Eat your vegetables!

USDA recently released its 2010 annual summary of pesticide labels.  The conclusion is that pesticide levels are safe.

Statement from USDA:
“Age-old advice remains the same: eat more fruits and vegetables and wash them before you do
so.  Health and nutrition experts encourage the consumption of fruits and vegetables in every
meal as part of a healthy diet. This message is affirmed in the Dietary Guidelines for Americans
released last year, in USDA’s My Plate, as well as federal nutrition guidance that urges people to
make half their plate fruits and vegetables.”  

Since its inception, the program has tested 105 commodities including fresh and processed fruit
and vegetables, meat and poultry, grains, catfish, rice, specialty products, and water.  The data is
a valuable tool for consumers, food producers and processors, chemical manufacturers,
environmental interest groups, and food safety organizations. 

A commentary on Food Safety News notes that good news such as this gets little attention.  You can see the 2010 Summary here. The report itself is about 200 pages.  In addition to the summary, USDA publishes information for consumers regarding the pesticide summary on the Pesticide Data Program website.

Posted by Donna M. Byrne, William Mitchell College of Law