All-natural versus organic food

All-Natural means that foods are minimally processed and do not include ingredients such as refined sugar, refined flour, milled grains, artificial sweeteners, artificial colors, artificial flavorings, or hydrogenated oils. Generally, all-natural foods are as close to their natural state as possible, but they are not necessarily organic.

Organic produce is grown without man-made pesticides, insecticides, and herbicides. Organic meat and dairy comes from livestock fed an organic diet and reared without antibiotics and growth hormones. Additionally, in order to be considered organic, produce and livestock must not be genetically modified. 

Not everything all-natural is also organic. For example, you can have a fresh picked apple which meets the criteria for all-natural, but it could have been grown or produced conventionally (non-organically) with pesticides.

There are several organizations that help prevent fraud and assure the food is indeed organic. The food is then labeled “certified organic” so the consumer can be assured of its authenticity. USDA Certified Organic, Oregon Tilth, and CCOF are a few of the more popular certifying agencies in the United States.

When shopping in the Twin Cities, markets such as Whole Foods Market and Trader Joes, as well as the many co-ops in and around the Twin Cities sell only all-natural and/or organic foods and products.

Click HERE for information on where to purchase nutrient rich all-natural and organic food in the Twin Cities.

Click HERE for information on Vitamins and Minerals the body needs for healthy living.  

For more information about organic and all-natural food, visit the following organic and all-natural food websites:
Organic Consumers Association
Farmers Organic Food International
Kashi
Organic Valley 
Stonyfield Farm
Fage USA (The absolute best yogurt)
Lynn Brakke Organic Beef
Smart Chicken