ORGANIC LABEL REVIEW
What Can You Say on an Organic Label?
What We Check on Your Label
The USDA has clear rules for the word organic on a package. We check your label against those rules before you print, so you do not pay for labels you cannot use.
Your Label Category
"100% organic," "organic," or "made with organic." We work out which one your product fits, based on your recipe.
The Seal and the Wording
Where the USDA seal can go, what the front panel can say, and how to list organic ingredients.
Certifier Ready
The "certified organic by" line, your ingredient list, and a clean file to send your certifier for approval.
Why Brands Choose Kona Organic for Labels
A label mistake is costly after printing. We catch it while it is still a file on your screen.
Before You Print
We review the draft, so fixes cost nothing but a few minutes.
Plain Answers
You get a short list of what to change and why, in plain words.
Part of the Whole Plan
Your label matches your Organic System Plan and your recipes, so your certifier sees one clear story.
Common Questions
Can I use the USDA organic seal?
Only on certified products in the "100% organic" or "organic" category. "Made with organic" products cannot use the seal.
What does "made with organic" mean?
The product has at least 70 percent organic ingredients. You can name up to three organic ingredients or food groups on the front.
What if my product has less than 70 percent organic ingredients?
You cannot say organic on the front panel. You can only mark the organic ingredients in the ingredient list.
Does my certifier have to approve my label?
Yes. Certified operations send labels to their certifier before using them. We get your label ready for that review.
Do I need to name my certifier on the label?
Yes. Certified products carry the words "certified organic by" and the certifier name, below the name of the company that made or sold the product.
Do you review labels for products sold outside the US?
We review against the USDA organic rules. If you sell in other countries, we flag where their rules may differ.
What are the organic label levels?
There are four. 100 percent organic. Organic, which means at least 95 percent. Made with organic, which means at least 70 percent. Below that, organic can only appear in the ingredient list.
What Goes on the Information Panel
The name of the company that made or sold the product, and right below it the words Certified Organic by and the name of your certifier. The ingredient list marks which ingredients are organic.
Websites and Social Media Count
The label rules cover what you say online and in ads too. If the package cannot say organic, your website cannot either.
When to Send a Label for Approval
Before you print, and again any time you change the recipe, the claim, the product name, or your certifier.
Who this is for
Brands, co-packers, and farms that sell packaged products, sell online, or are changing a label or a claim.
When to call us
Call before you print or post. A label check costs far less than a reprint.
Our conflict of interest policy is simple: we never inspect an operation we consult for, and your certifier always makes the certification decision. Book a consultation to talk through where your operation stands and what it needs.
Related: Certification for Handlers and Food Brands • Organic System Plan Writing • Fraud Prevention Plans • Organic Sales and Marketing • Take the free readiness quiz • Organic Input Review • Organic Import and Export