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Food labels can be overwhelming, hard to understand and open to misinterpretation. For example, many foods are labeled “natural,” but the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has yet to release a formal definition. However, both it and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) do offer guidelines, and below we break those down so you can make informed decisions when buying foods with phrases such as “all natural,” “from nature,” “naturally grown” and so on.

FDA:

  • In 2016, the FDA requested public comment to assist with developing the definition of “natural” but never formally released an official definition.
  • Their policy says nothing artificial or synthetic has been included in or added to food.
  • The FDA views “natural” as dealing with ingredients.

USDA:

  • In contrast, when the term “organic” appears on food labels, the USDA views it as a description of the agricultural production practices and monitors to ensure these processes are met.
  • The USDA states a “natural” food is a product containing no artificial ingredients or added color and is only minimally processed.
  • “Natural” does not mean free of hormones or antibiotics because these are separate labels, also regulated by the USDA.

Additional Facts:

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  • Labels must include a statement explaining the term “all natural,” such as no artificial ingredients, minimally processed, etc.
  • Natural labels can be placed on foods containing natural flavors, sweeteners and/or other plant-derived substances.
  • The USDA does monitor the word “natural” when applied to meat, poultry and eggs.
  • All said, “natural” and “all natural” may not be the best terms to base your purchases because neither have clear definitions. Instead, focus on the Nutrition Facts label for details about the healthfulness of the food.

Sources: American Society for Nutrition, Food Insight, U.S. Department of Agriculture, U.S. Food & Drug Administration,

See more: Deciphering Food Label Lingo

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