Organic finds place in the sun

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In my opinion, brown is not the new black, and organic farming is not a fad. It's here to stay. A small section of the supermarket is dedicated to organic food, but I predict it soon will be the whole store -- or at least a very large part of it. Trying to avoid the organic craze would be like trying to ignore reality TV. Both have skyrocketed overnight, and it is as impossible to avoid all-natural, hormone-free poultry as it is to escape "American Idol" gossip. Organic food has hit the big time. In fact, sales of organics have grown by 20 percent each year for the past decade.

From the soil to the plate, we're concerned about all of it: food quality, food safety, the environment, where our food comes from and animal rights. Despite the rise in obesity (or perhaps because of it), quality over quantity finally seems to be inching its way into the mix.

When I was a teenager, my parents said they needed a special dictionary to comprehend what they called my teen lingo. There seems to be a similar need for translation of at least some of the new labeling terms applied to organics.

Here's what you need to know to be an informed shopper.

Foods certified as "organic" by the U.S. Department of Agriculture are the most comprehensively and closely regulated on the market. Organic farmers apply natural fertilizers, manure or compost to feed soil and plants. They use beneficial insects and birds, mating disruption or traps to reduce pests and disease.

Crops are rotated, and the soil is tilled, hand-weeded or mulched to manage weeds. Animals are fed organic feed and are allowed access to the outdoors. Preventative measures such as rotational grazing, a balanced diet and clean housing are set up to help minimize the risk of disease. Organic meats are raised without chemical herbicides, fertilizers, antibiotics or growth hormones to prevent disease or spur growth.

The term "100 percent organic" refers to products that are completely organic or made of all organic ingredients. They are allowed to carry a small USDA organic seal. This is not mandatory, but most companies use it. Hey, if you've got it, flaunt it. Organic products that are at least 95 percent organic also can use the seal.

"Made with organic ingredients" refers to products that contain at least 70 percent organic ingredients. The organic seal can't be used, but the organic items can be included in the ingredients list.

"Raised without antibiotics" is a general claim that implies that no antibiotics were used in the production of a food product. The USDA defines it as meaning that the animals used for meat and poultry products were raised entirely without low-level or therapeutic doses of antibiotics. Use of this claim requires sufficient documentation.

"No hormones administered" refers to an animal considered to be free from any added hormones over its lifetime. Use of this claim requires sufficient documentation.