“Organic” is a very different and important distinction. Products that are organic may contain ingredients that are organic or the entire product may be derived from organic sources. One of our top rated dog foods is “organic” as defined by the AAFCO through its national organic program (NOP) which is a division of the US Department of Agriculture. According to the NOP website, products that are considered to be organic are “produced through approved methods that integrate cultural, biological and mechanical practices that foster cycling of resources, promote ecological balance and conserve biodiversity. Synthetic fertilizer, sewage sludge, irradiation and engineering may not be used.”
For a dog food to be considered and labeled as organic, pet foods must adhere to and be judge by the same strict USDA standards as human food to be labeled organic. Foods or products that are labeled as organic will display a USDA organic seal, and must contain a minimum of 95% organic ingredients. If a company uses the word “organic” without complying with, and being inspected by the USDA, it can face regulatory action through the USDA and AAFCO regulations and laws.
