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Certified Organic
We are proud to announce that in 2005, we launched our certified organic line
of pork sausages! Our processing facility has met all the requirements
for humane treatment, organic farm practices, feed and processing, and
have been certified by Quality Assurance International. Our fresh, organic
pork will be available in stores across the country— so demand more
Andy's Organic!
The Organic Difference
Terms like "organic" and "natural" can
be confusing. How do shoppers know when something is organic
or when it's natural? And what's
the difference? Check the chart to see what makes a product, especially pork,
certified organic according to USDA regulations. Adding
to the potential confusion is the availability of Certified Natural. Certified
Natural is essentially pork raised to organic standards, except that they are
not fed organic feeds-- this may seem like a small difference, but as far as
the environment and support of sustainable farming go, it is significant. Certified
Natural is marked by the seal:
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| Criteria |
USDA Certified Organic Pork |
USDA Natural Pork |
| Regulation |
The USDA definition of organic is more than 500 pages long and is now federal
law! Our practices achieve or exceed USDA requirements |
Natural meats are regulated to be minimally processed.
There is no requirement for natural at the farm level. |
| Feed/Diet |
Hogs eat only certified organic feed. Antibiotics and growth hormones are
not allowed in the feed or by injection. |
Hogs are not required to eat only certified organic feed.
Antibiotics and growth hormones are allowed. |
| Humane Treatment |
Hogs are raised under USDA-specified humane conditions
including access to the outdoors and safe living quarters. |
No regulations or guidelines for humane treatment are
addressed in the USDA natural definition. |
| Environment |
Organic farmers must manage manure so that it does not
contribute to crop, soil or water contamination and optimizes
recycling of nutrients. |
Environmental safety practices from farm to processing
plant are not required or regulated. |
| Processing |
A third-party certifying agency, approved by the USDA, inspects and tests
for pesticide residues and complete compliance with USDA standards. No
synthetic chemicals or preservatives such as nitrates may be used in
processing. |
Pork products are not tested by a third party but are
required to be minimally processed. They may not have any
artificial coloring agents or preservatives, but water,
sodium and other solutions may be added. |
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