Several parents are now opting for all organic food for themselves and their kids for a variety of reasons. Organic baby food is very healthy and does not compromise taste, so it is very easy to prepare and serve. There are so many brands available today, with different varities, flavors and ingredients depending on your budget and your baby’s preference. Of course, you have to know what the products contain and know why it is a better choice than others.
Finding Organic Food
Organic baby food can only be legitimately considered as such if it has been verified and has received organic certification from the appropriate agencies. The USDA or U.S. Department of Agriculture has created a program for organic certification. This requires all kinds of organic food to meet the strict standards set by the government. The standards will regulate the way foods are grown, processed and handled.
Any food manufacturer or farmer who declares or labels a product as organic baby food should be certified first by the USDA. There are a few exemptions, however, such as individuals who produce organic food and sell these at a total lower than $5,000 each year. They should still follow the very same standards set by the government to adequately label the products as organic.
Organic Labeling
Organic baby food should primarily have the USDA Organic tag to mean that it is produced and processed according to the standards set by USDA. 95% or more of the ingredients should also be produced organically. The seal can be voluntary but several organic producers use it to inform consumers. Some organic food products are 100% organic, like vegetables, fruits, eggs and other foods that have single ingredients. These usually have a tiny seal by the USDA. Foods with more than one ingredient, like cereals, can still have the USDA organic seal or other terms on the labels, depending on the quantity of organic ingredients.
Things to Look For
There are a number of things that you should look for when purchasing organic baby food. Primarily, you should try to aim for products that are 100% organic. This means that the products are all made only of organic ingredients. Being organic means that the ingredients, as a whole, should be at least 95% organic. If the product label says that the organic baby food is made with organic ingredients, it means that the product has a minimum of 70% organic ingredients. These products cannot have the organic seal.
Other terms may be present on the organic baby food labels, like “free-range”, “hormone-free” or “all-natural”. These can mean other things aside from organic, so you should watch the ingredients and fine print carefully. Only foods that are grown and handled based on the organic standards set by the USDA can properly be considered organic.
Do It Yourself
Some mothers can still find time to try and make their own organic food. It is important to still maintain the very same elements for the organic baby food, such as fruit, vegetables, grains and protein. Grains should be rinsed, fruits and vegetables steamed and meats cooked very well. You can use a blender, food processor or grinder to prepare the food. The raw ingredients you use should also be organically grown and handled to ensure that you get at least 95% as recommended.
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