How to Navigate the World of Eco Food Labels Like a Smart Shopper
Take a trip to the grocery store and you’ll likely see the terms Natural, Organic, Sustainable and GMO-Free displayed across product and food packaging. While some labels can be trusted, others come with misleading claims and confusing terminologies, making even a quick stop at the store overwhelming.
But with the following tips and a discerning eye, you can become a master at deciphering labels, and a pro at making healthier and more sustainable choices for yourself, animals and the planet.
Natural: As a shopper you’ve likely seen the term Natural across product packaging, which might connote images of wholesome ingredients, but the reality can be quite different. Actually, Natural lacks a standardized definition and has been seen on heavily processed products packed with synthetic additives. To avoid falling for this marketing tactic, be sure to read the entire food label, look for recognizable ingredients and choose organic products with minimal processing.
Sustainable: Sustainable is another unregulated, and sometimes misleading term that is showing up more frequently on products. When you come across this, keep in mind it could only be referring to packaging, and not the production process which could still be harmful to the environment. If you want to be confident about a product’s sustainability, look for certifications like Fair Trade, Rainforest Alliance, or USDA Organic certifications that have clear criteria for sustainable practices.
Egg Labels: Confused about egg labels? Let’s “break” them down for you. Cage-free indicates laying hens aren’t confined to cages but may still be kept indoors, Free-Range means hens have some access to the outdoors, and Pasture-Raised indicates laying hens spend most of their time outdoors on pasture.
Seafood: If you care about protecting marine ecosystems but still want to enjoy seafood as part of your diet, look for products with the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) label certifying that the seafood comes from well-managed and sustainable fisheries, or the Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC) certification, meaning the seafood is responsibly farmed.
GMO-Free: If you notice an item labelled GMO-Free or Non-GMO Project Verified, this indicates that it contains no genetically modified produce or grains. You can usually trust that organic produce from your local farm is GMO-free.
Organic and Pesticide-Free Produce: It’s widely known that consuming organic produce can help reduce your exposure to harmful pesticides, fertilizers and herbicides, and can support sustainable farming practices. But with food prices skyrocketing, organic eating is out of reach for many. Thankfully, you can still prioritize purchasing the organic versions of fruits and vegetables which tend to accumulate the highest levels of pesticides; items like strawberries, celery and spinach, commonly known as the Dirty Dozen.
Recently, while perusing the produce section, you may have encountered the Apeel Healthy Produce Preserver label. This coating was designed to form a protective barrier that slows down water loss and oxidation, two things that cause spoilage. It was created by a California-based company to extend the shelf life of fruits and vegetables, with the goal of reducing food waste and promoting sustainability. In April 2023, a post circulating on social media platforms made a claim, based on a comprehensive data sheet, which has been debated, that Apeel contained toxic chemicals and was a cleaning solution for produce, causing many to question the safety and authenticity of the product.
Non-Produce Organic Labels: Walk down any grocery store aisle and you’ll likely notice organic labels on packaged products indicating the item was produced without synthetic pesticides, GMOs, or artificial additives, or that it’s free from hormones and antibiotics in the case of meat, fish, milk and eggs.
But not all organic foods are automatically more nutritious. Organic junk food is still junk food, and some products may still be high in unhealthy fats, sugars, and calories, even if they are labeled as organic. Also, keep in mind that the term Organic doesn’t necessarily mean the product is sustainable or produced using eco-friendly practices. When shopping, be sure to read the entire food label, including the nutritional information and ingredient list, before taking a label at face value.
Below are a few more tips for navigating through these misleading claims and making more informed food choices:
Read the entire food label: Don't rely solely on front-of-pack claims or buzzwords. Look at the nutritional information and ingredient list to understand the product's true nature and familiarize yourself with reliable certifications and labels that indicate genuine quality like USDA Organic, Non-GMO Project Verified.
Check for recognizable ingredients: Choose products with a short ingredient list, with items you can pronounce and identify. This often indicates less processing and more wholesome options.
Do your research: Don't hesitate to research a brand or company and their practices if you're unsure about a product's claims. Look for transparency in their sourcing and production methods. Keep in mind that a single claim on a product doesn’t define its overall healthiness or environmental impact.
A grocery store run is the opportunity to vote with our dollars. What we put in our shopping carts has the power to create a positive impact on your health and the planet. By being aware of misleading claims, embracing organic and pesticide-free options, understanding egg and seafood labels, decoding nutrition labels, and seeking GMO-free products, you can do your part to work towards a healthier, more sustainable future.
To connect with grocers in your area that carry planet and people-friendly food, look no further than Intengine.com. The global directory of sustainable businesses features an array of advanced search filters that let you search, find, filter and connect with sustainably minded organizations in just a few clicks.
Tags: food label, eco food label, organic, natural, pesticide free, non-gmo, smart shopping