THE

TRUTH
ABOUT
ORGANIC
ANSWERS to YOUR MOST
PRESSING QUESTIONS ABOUT
THE ORGANIC LABEL

1 RODALEINSTIT UTE.ORG
 TABLE OF CONTENTS
Rodale Institute is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated
to pioneering organic farming through research and outreach.
Rodale Institute is committed to groundbreaking research in 3 Introduction
organic agriculture, advocating for policies that support farmers,
4 Is the Organic Label Just a Marketing Scam?
and educating people about how organic is the safest, healthiest
option for people and the planet. 6 Do Organic Farmers Spray Their Crops?

611 Siegfriedale Road, Kutztown, PA 19530 9 Can Organic Feed the World?
610-683-1400 | RodaleInstitute.org Is Meat Ruining the Planet?
12
14 Is Organic Really the Healthier Option?
16 Conclusion
17 References
WHAT’S THE
REAL TRUTH
ABOUT
ORGANICS?
For as long as people have been growing food, natural and
organic methods were the norm. What’s new is organic’s
substantial value in the modern marketplace.

Today more than 82% of American households purchase

organic products. As of 2018, the organic market is worth
more than $50 billion in the United States alone, and it
continues to grow.1

In 1954, J.I. Rodale said, “Organics is not a fad.”

65 years later, he’s proven right.
For more than 70 years, we’ve been researching best prac-
tices in regenerative organic agriculture. Our decades-long
Farming Systems Trial has borne out the evidence that
organic systems are more resilient, sequester more carbon,
yield fewer emissions, require less energy, and can produce
yields equal to conventional—if not higher.2

Now, we’re expanding our research to encompass links

between soil health and human health, an area woefully
WE HOPE YOU ENJOY IT. unexplored through long-term trials. We remain objective
Let us know what you think, or ask in our research, but we believe in the power of organic,
questions, by connecting with and we always have.
@RodaleInstitute on social media.
Even with this tremendous growth, there are still a lot
of questions out there about organic. This guide will give
To learn more, sign up for our email
real, honest, and clear answers about the biggest questions
newsletter at RodaleInstitute.org.
and myths surrounding organic agriculture, and what it
means for you.

3 RODALEINSTIT UTE.ORG
QUESTION #1

IS THE ORGANIC LABEL

JUST A MARKETING SCAM?
Some people think that the organic label is just an excuse to charge
more that doesn’t mean anything. But that’s not the case.

WHAT IS ORGANIC?
Organic agriculture is a production system that regenerates the health of soils,
ecosystems, and people. Organic farmers rely on natural processes, biodiversity,
and holistic cycles adapted to local conditions.

If you purchase a product with the USDA Organic seal, you can be assured that
item was produced without synthetic pesticides, herbicides, or fertilizers,
and that it is GMO-free. Organic also prohibits dozens of other chemical
additives and preservatives.3

THE CERTIFICATION PROCESS

Here are some important things to know about certification:

1 The rules for what materials and practices are allowed in organic production
are determined by the National Organic Standards Board and the National
Organic Program and are reviewed biannually with input from people all over
the agricultural spectrum, including farmers and scientists.

2 The public is encouraged to submit their comments on what should be

As organic grew in popularity, permissible in organic.
farmers and shoppers wanted
3 A USDA Certified Organic label requires a yearly review and audit by a
a standard that could make third-party certifier. Every facet of the farm or business and every
things easier for consumers material used is examined to make sure it’s in compliance.
trying to make choices in the
grocery aisle. Certification is a rigorous process based on frequent collaboration and review
of the standards. The USDA Certified Organic seal is a stamp of approval that
the farm or business is in compliance, and you can trust it.

4 RODALEINSTIT UTE.ORG
CURRENT CHALLENGES WHAT THAT MEANS FOR YOU
In recent years, updates to the standards (or a lack thereof ) Don’t let organic’s growing pains deter you. The USDA
have caused concern. Here’s what you should know: Certified Organic seal is still an excellent signpost that
the item was produced in a healthy way.
1 Organic certification for livestock still isn’t as rigorous as it
should be. Organic advocates are fighting to ensure stricter There are several new certifications emerging that aim to
rules and enforcement for organic animal management. take organic even higher. Keep your eyes open for these
“coming soon” labels:
2 Hydroponics can be considered organic, even though
they are soilless systems. Many farmers feel that soil is Regenerative Organic Certification: Regenerative
a. 
the essence of organic and cannot be left out. Organic Certification requires eligible farms to be USDA
certified organic first. The farms must then implement
3 As organic has become more profitable, there’s been an
additional practices to improve soil health, animal wel-
increase in import fraud. That means that some shipments
fare, and social justice. Learn more at RegenOrganic.org.
(usually livestock feed) claimed as organic were actually
conventional. The most recent Farm Bill has applied spe- The Real Organic Project: The Real Organic Project
b. 
cific resources to eliminating fraud. is also an add-on to USDA certified organic. It prohibits
hydroponics and upholds high standards for animal
As more and more labels have entered the marketplace, like
welfare and soil health. Read the standards at
Fair Trade, Biodynamic, Non-GMO, Certified Humane, and
RealOrganicProject.org.
more, confusion in the grocery aisle has increased.
When it comes to what and how we eat, each of us has more
The bottom line: no current label is as all-encompassing
choices available than ever before. Yes, the landscape of organic
as USDA Certified Organic. USDA Certified Organic is the
is changing. But you have the power to enact positive change.
only label that means no synthetic pesticides, herbicides, or
fertilizers, and no GMOs—not to mention it prohibits dozens
of other additives.

IS THE USDA CERTIFIED ORGANIC

LABEL JUST A MARKETING SCAM?
ABSOLUTELY NOT.
Organic is based on sound farming practices
that protect resources, and it’s backed by a
rigorous certification process.

5 RODALEINSTIT UTE.ORG
QUESTION #2

DO ORGANIC FARMERS
SPRAY THEIR CROPS?
ANSWER: YES—BUT NOT THE WAY YOU THINK.

Organic agriculture prohibits the use of synthetic herbicides, pesti-

cides, and fertilizers. So when consumers find out that organic farmers
sometimes use sprays and other “inputs,” they’re understandably
confused. Get the full story on how organic farmers deal with pests.

GETTING STRAIGHT ON GLYPHOSATE

Many families choose organic to avoid exposure to toxic synthetic chemicals like
glyphosate, the chief ingredient in the weed-killer RoundUp.

Glyphosate is so ubiquitous in our food, water, and air that it is regularly

found in human urine.4

Organic not only bans synthetic herbicides like RoundUp—it prohibits the use
of hundreds of chemical additives, preservatives, colorings, and more.5

The key word is “synthetic.” Generally, organic farmers use no synthetic (read:
man-made chemical) inputs. However, they are allowed to use natural ones.
But the story is more nuanced than that.

6 RODALEINSTIT UTE.ORG
THE APPROVED MATERIALS LIST Almost all natural materials are approved for use in
organic. Take, for example, neem oil. Neem oil is derived
The National Organic Standards Board and the National from the seeds of the neem tree. It has been used for hun-
Organic Program maintain a list of materials that are dreds of years to minimize pests and plant diseases. Neem
approved for use in organic production (see Question #1).6 oil is natural and approved for use in organic.
Once the NOSB and NOP add a material to the national list, Most synthetics are prohibited in organic—unless there
third-party organizations like the Organic Materials Review is no naturally occurring alternative. Certain synthetics like
Institute (OMRI) evaluate new products to make sure they’re copper sulfate have been approved for use in organic for a
in compliance. few reasons:
The general rule for the national list is that naturally occur- 1. No natural alternative exists that can effectively target the
ring materials are allowed, and synthetic materials are same plant diseases.
prohibited. There are, however, exceptions to that rule.
2. Copper was determined safe with restrictions on its use
SYNTHETIC VS. NON-SYNTHETIC by the USDA before approval.

Non-synthetic is defined as “a substance that is derived 3. Farmers can only use copper once they’ve exhausted all
from mineral, plant, or animal matter and does not undergo other options.
a synthetic process. Non-synthetic is used as a synonym
In these cases, a certifier will work with the farmer to make
for natural.”
sure only the minimum amount of the material is applied.
Synthetic is defined as “a substance that is formulated or Preference is always given to biological and preventative
manufactured by a chemical process or by a process that methods before a synthetic material is introduced, and
chemically changes a substance extracted from naturally exposure is always minimized as much as possible.
occurring plant, animal, or mineral sources.”

“Approved substances are naturally derived and

quickly degrade by weather…lowering the chance
of human exposure. Chemical pesticide formulations
and other synthetic materials are manipulated in
laboratories and are foreign to the human body,
which might see the compounds as intruders.”

DR. ANDREW SMITH

Rodale Institute Chief Scientist

7 RODALEINSTIT UTE.ORG
THE ROLE OF BIODIVERSITY WHAT THAT MEANS FOR YOU
For more persistent pest issues, organic farmers utilize • Organic is a surefire way to avoid the most dangerous
strategies like introducing natural predators and beneficial chemicals on the market, including glyphosate, which has
insects, crop rotation, natural pheromones, or mechanical been implicated in human health concerns like cancer.
controls like trapping. Broad sprays of non-specific pesticides
• Organic-approved inputs are generally natural and
are always a last resort. Healthy soil, from good farming prac-
safer than conventional and go through a rigorous
tices, is always the first line of defense.
review process.
As the organic industry booms, more large farms are joining
• Organic farmers only use inputs as a last resort.
the movement, and those large farms sometimes grow just
a single crop for efficiency. Complex ecosystems have more • If you’re concerned about the safety of an approved
natural defenses than monoculture farms. material, speak up to the NOSB and NOP.

Because of this, large farms are more likely—though by no • Organic is about more than pesticides and fertilizers.
means guaranteed—to use more organic-approved sprays. Organic also prohibits dozens of artificial preservatives
If you are concerned about avoiding even organic-approved and additives.
sprays, do some research on the farms that grow the produce
that you and your family enjoy.

DO ORGANIC FARMERS SPRAY THEIR CROPS?

PHOTO CREDIT: JOHNY GOEREND
SOMETIMES—BUT ONLY WITH THOSE APPROVED
BY THE ORGANIC STANDARD BOARDS AND ONLY
AS AN ABSOLUTE LAST RESORT.
If you want to minimize your family’s exposure to harmful
synthetic chemicals, organic is the best choice.

8 RODALEINSTIT UTE.ORG
QUESTION #3

CAN ORGANIC
FEED THE WORLD? PHOTO CREDIT: ROB CURRAN

ANSWER: YES—AND MORE.

“Although achieving [this] With the global population set to hit 9.1 billion by
20507, it’s true that in the future we’ll need to
increase will be challenging, grow more food than ever. But there’s a common
global agricultural output is at misconception that organic isn’t up to the task.

least on the right trajectory. A LOOK AT THE NUMBERS

In contrast, agriculture’s Recent research says we need to increase food production
by anywhere from 20% to 70% in order to meet demand in
environmental performance is coming years.8

going in the wrong direction: Yes, we need to produce more food. But more importantly,
we need to mitigate farming’s harmful effects on the
Aggregate impacts are increasing environment—fast.

and must drop sharply over Agriculture accounts directly for 11-13% of greenhouse emis-
sions and indirectly for another 12%.10 With our climate
the coming decades.” 9 increasingly unsteady, we can’t afford to continue with current
methods that erode soil and pollute the environment. That’s
AGRICULTURE IN 2050: RECALIBRATING TARGETS why the myth that organic food can’t feed the world isn’t just
FOR SUSTAINABLE INTENSIFICATION, 2017 wrong, it’s downright counterproductive.

If we’re going to decrease farming’s impact—and we must

decrease farming’s impact—then we need organic. Because
farming doesn’t only contribute to climate change; it’s greatly
affected by it. And it is getting harder and harder to grow
food in extreme weather.

9 RODALEINSTIT UTE.ORG
THE PROBLEM WITH YIELDS CHALLENGES TO CURRENT RESEARCH
Conventional and organic methods are often compared based Studies claiming that organic yields are less than
on how much crop they yield per acre, leading to farm con- conventional are generally short-term, meaning they collect
solidation in addition to environmental degradation from soil data over just a couple years. There is a serious dearth of
erosion, air pollution, and water contamination. long-term research on the differences between organic and
conventional farming. Organic systems, when transitioning
We hear that in order to feed the world, the only solution is
from conventional, need time to rebuild soil health to operate
bigger farms with fewer farmers that achieve higher yields
at maximum capacity.
with new technologies like chemical fertilizers, pesticides,
and GMOs—the conventional American way. Rodale Institute’s Farming Systems Trial, started in 1981, is
the longest-running side-by-side trial of organic and conven-
Is a marginal increase in yields achieved by further burden-
tional in North America.
ing ecosystems really worth it when other solutions exist?

Organic farmers protect the environment and prioritize soil THE NEXT FRONTIER: NUTRIENT-DENSITY
health, clean and air water, and nutrient-dense foods. Their 70% of the crops grown in America are cereal grains, primar-
emphasis is typically less on maximizing crop yields and ily corn and soybeans. The majority of that harvest doesn’t go
more on creating healthy, resilient ecosystems. to human food. Boosting yields of these crops isn’t going to
However, it’s untrue that the difference in yields between or- feed the world.
ganic and conventional is drastic, or that organic doesn’t ever To truly feed the world, we’re going to need more foods
yield as much as conventional. In fact, organic outperforms that provide complete nutrition and more farmers to
conventional in adverse weather conditions like drought by grow it.
as much as 40%.

40 YEARS OF RESEARCH
Our Farming Systems Trial data shows:
1 
Organic yields are competitive with conventional yields after
a 5-year transition period

2 Organic systems produce yields up to 40% higher in drought

3 Organic methods leach no toxic chemicals into waterways
4 Organic uses 45% less energy
5 Organic releases 40% fewer greenhouse emissions
6 Organic earns 3-6x higher profits for farmers

10 RODALEINSTIT UTE.ORG
 Currently, our food system overproduces grains, fats, and
sugars and underproduces the vitamins, minerals, and pro-
teins vital for human health. The nutrition in some fruit and
vegetable crops has been declining for decades as we’ve bred
for yields over flavor and health.11

The answer to these problems isn’t maximum yields of corn

and soy—it’s more nutritious food grown in a healthier way.

UNTAPPED POTENTIAL
40% of the world’s current crop production comes from
small farmers in the developing world, and they are poised
to make a big difference.12

Given tools like viable seed and better crop varieties, these
farmers can dramatically increase their productivity. Pair
those tools with basic infrastructure and weather information
to help time planting and harvest and these small farmers
could triple their yields while regenerating resources.

WASTE NOT
More than 800 million people are hungry today despite
the fact that we grow enough to provide for the current
population.13 One-third of the food we produce globally
gets lost or wasted.14

If we’re worried about feeding the world, we should spend

CAN ORGANIC FEED time making sure the food we do have is used completely
THE WORLD? YES IT CAN, and responsibly.

WHILE ALSO IMPROVING

HUMAN HEALTH AND WHAT THAT MEANS FOR YOU
Our growing population needs farming methods that
THE ENVIRONMENT. conserve and regenerate resources while generating healthy
Organic methods can compete food—not methods that use more chemicals, polluting
with conventional yields the environment in order to grow more corn to feed more
feedlot animals.
and have huge potential to
expand global food production
while actively regenerating
resources and protecting the
environment from pollution
and toxic waste. For a healthy
future, we can’t afford
anything less.

11 RODALEINSTIT UTE.ORG
QUESTION #4

IS MEAT RUINING
THE PLANET?
ANSWER: IT DOESN’T HAVE TO.

In the last few decades, factory farms have taken Grain-fed animals also emit more methane. Between 1990 and
over the global meat supply. Their focus is on 2005, U.S. methane emissions from dairy cow manure rose
maximum production at the cheapest cost—and 50%. Pasture-raised animals, on the other hand, produce ma-
nure with about half of the potential to generate methane.22
that comes at the expense of animal welfare
and environmental health. Artificial fertilizers and herbicides required for corn and
soybeans are also major CO2 emitters.23 The result is an
A FRIGHTENING TREND increasingly unsteady climate, a food system saturated with
toxins like glyphosate, polluted air and water, and a deforest-
By 2050, global meat and dairy production is projected
ed landscape.
to increase more than 150%.15

In 2017, the EPA reported that agriculture contributed nearly THE ORGANIC DIFFERENCE
10% of all greenhouse gas emissions, and livestock accounted
It’s clear: Factory farming isn’t working out. The good news
for a full third of that.16 Animal feed production and pro-
is that organic prohibits what factory farming allows.
cessing contributes the bulk of those emissions, with manure
next in line.17 To be certified organic, livestock farmers have to follow
these rules:
However, it’s a myth that animal agriculture has to be
destructive or that we have to stop eating meat to save the • No antibiotics or artificial growth hormones
planet. It’s not the cow, it’s the how.
• Animals must be managed in a way that conserves natural
resources and biodiversity
AGAINST THE GRAIN
Cows’ and pigs’ digestive systems aren’t built for grain— • All feed must be 100% organic, and that means no glypho-
they’re built for grass. Perpetual grain feeding leads to sate or polluting fertilizers
health problems that require more antibiotics, leading • Animals must have year-round access to the outdoors
to higher risks of antibiotic resistance.

12 RODALEINSTIT UTE.ORG
THE POWER OF PASTURE
If we continue to lose soil at current rates, we have fewer IS MEAT RUINING THE PLANET?
than 60 years remaining before global topsoil is depleted.24 IT COULD, IF WE DON’T CHANGE
Smart grazing can help the soil recover and build soil health. OUR PRACTICES QUICKLY.
Grazing encourages plants to send out more and deeper By utilizing regenerative organic methods
roots, boosting soil biomass and fertility and sequestering
like rotational grazing and eschewing
carbon from the atmosphere. As the soil carbon matter
antibiotics, our meat will be healthier for
increases, so does the land’s ability to hold water, preventing
the environment and for us.
erosion and agriculture runoff.

If we applied strategic grazing to just 25% of our crop-

lands and grasslands, we could mitigate the entire carbon
footprint of North American agriculture.25 Grazing
animals can utilize marginal land otherwise unable to grow
food, bringing those lands back to life. UNFORTUNATE FACTS OF
WHAT THIS MEANS FOR YOU FACTORY FARMING
If you’re ready to say no to factory farms and make the switch ANIMAL WELFARE VIOLATIONS
to regenerative organic meat, look for new labels like Regen-
• Animals are often raised indoors under artificial
erative Organic Certification that consider animal welfare in
light and crowded in small confinement pens.
their standard. Buy local meat and eat vegetarian at restau-
rants, focusing on organic and regenerative meat when you • Lack of pasture creates vast “manure lagoons”
do choose to eat it. that contribute to animal disease.

ENVIRONMENTAL VIOLATIONS
• Factory farm manure pits are easily eroded in
heavy rain or storms and can leach antibiotics,
insecticides, and potential pathogens like salmo-
nella into the water supply.18

• Fertilizer used to grow animal feed combined with

animal waste runs off into waterways. This creates
algae blooms that suffocate aquatic life.

HUMAN HEALTH CONCERNS

• 80% of all the antibiotics produced in the U.S. are
fed or administered to livestock.19 Frequent antibi-
otic use creates resistant bacteria that could lead
to the outbreak of a superbug.20

• Factory farms create noxious fumes that pollute

the air and degrade quality of life for rural resi-
dents, particularly African Americans, Hispanics,
and American Indians.21

13 RODALEINSTIT UTE.ORG
QUESTION #5

IS ORGANIC REALLY THE

HEALTHIER OPTION?
ANSWER: WE WANT TO FIND OUT.

The last frontier in organic research is determining

SCIENCE SAYS… exactly how organic foods affect human health.
Here are some studies that shine light on the And that’s easier said than done.
question of whether an organic diet is healthier.
HERE’S WHAT WE KNOW:
• THE INTERNATIONAL AGENCY FOR RESEARCH
• We’re using more pesticides and herbicides in our con-
ON CANCER: They’ve classified glyphosate, the
ventional agricultural systems than ever before.26
common ingredient in the herbicide RoundUp,
as a probable carcinogen.33 • Cancer rates are on the rise worldwide.27

• INDEPENDENT RESEARCH ON GLYPHOSATE AND • The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC)
THE MICROBIOME: One report finds that contact has classified three common conventional pesticides
with glyphosate can destroy intestinal villi, and herbicides—glyphosate, malathion, and diazinon—as
affecting nutrient absorption.34 This is linked to probable carcinogens.28
the rise of celiac and autism.35
• Incidents of autoimmune diseases have increased signifi-
• THE AMERICAN MEDICAL ASSOCIATION: cantly worldwide—as much as 7% for some conditions.29
A population-based study of French men and
• We’re spending $3.5 trillion a year on healthcare each
women over 5 years found a 25% reduction in
year in America,30 yet the majority of physicians spend
cancer risk for participants who ate a largely
less than 3 minutes discussing nutrition with patients.31
organic diet.36 The study has been criticized for
its largely female sample and for its assessment • 70% of Americans are on at least one prescription
questionnaire. medication.32

• UC BERKELEY, UC SAN FRANCISCO, AND We’re treating our food with more chemicals than ever before
FRIENDS OF THE EARTH: Their peer-reviewed and we keep getting sicker. Many people choose organic to
study found that switching to an organic diet avoid additional chemical exposure and to fight back against
reduced levels of synthetic pesticides found in a food and healthcare system that is no longer working.
the participants by 60.5%.37
14 RODALEINSTIT UTE.ORG
GETTING A HANDLE ON NUTRITION BRIDGING THE GAP
Research studies on the effects of an organic diet have It’s difficult to design sound studies on the effects of or-
been controversial. ganic vs. conventional food, and there’s an abundance of
competing interests.
Nutrition doesn’t exist in a vacuum, with factors like ge-
netics and environmental influences at play, and that makes Rodale Institute’s Vegetable Systems Trial is designed to help
it hard to study the impact of an organic diet. fill in the gap. In this study, the first of its kind, we’re growing
conventional and organic crops side-by-side under con-
However, several studies do indicate that eating organic
trolled conditions. We aren’t currently studying people, but
foods might be better for your health.
this long-term research will give us a more accurate picture
of any differences in nutrient-density between organic and
SOMETHING IN THE WATER conventional produce.
But what about other factors? We’re impacted by more than
This type of controlled, long-term research is critical to
just what we eat. The air we breathe and the water we drink
future conversations on the links between agriculture
also affect our immune system and our quality of life.
and human health.
Organic production not only releases fewer emissions
by avoiding nitrogen fertilizers38—it also keeps toxic WHAT DOES THAT MEAN FOR YOU?
chemicals out of the public water supply. A study in 2017
We need more research. In the meantime, your health and
found neonicotinoids, a conventional insecticide, in treated
your family’s health are in your hands. You have the power to
tap water.39
make informed decisions. An unhealthy planet is unhealthy
Our own Farming Systems Trial has found that convention- for everyone on it, and that matters. The choice is yours.
al systems leach atrazine, another toxic pesticide,
into groundwater.

IS ORGANIC THE HEALTHIER OPTION?

We know organic foods contain less pesticide-residues, are free
of potentially harmful substances like antibiotics, GMOs, and
glyphosate, and that there are some nutritional differences—like
higher omega-three fatty acids in organic dairy.

BUT WE NEED MORE RESEARCH TO UNDERSTAND

THE LONG-TERM EFFECTS OF AN ORGANIC VS.
CONVENTIONAL DIET ON HUMAN HEALTH.

15 RODALEINSTIT UTE.ORG
 Families considering making the switch to an organic lifestyle
understandably have a lot of questions. Is it worth it? What does it
mean for my family’s health? How am I impacting the planet?

We’re here to be your resource. Rodale Institute is backed with facts, science,
and rigorous research. We’ve been studying the effects of organic farming—on
your health, on the climate, on water, and for farmers—for more than 70 years.

We hope this guide has given you clear answers to an increasingly complicated
food system. Every time you’re in the grocery store aisle, or sitting down for a
meal, you can vote with your dollars for the type of future you’d like to see for
your family and the planet.

TOGETHER, WE HAVE THE

POWER TO HEAL THE WORLD.
Learn more about our other research, farmer training, and
consumer education initiatives at RodaleInstitute.org.

16 RODALEINSTIT UTE.ORG
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