Companies can NOT simply add 'organic' as a label their product. It does mean something and can be used if the product does not meet specific criteria.

If you want to claim: "Organic" (or a similar statement):

Your product: Must contain at least 95% organic ingredients, not counting added water and salt.

Must not contain added sulfites.

May contain up to 5% of:

      1. non-organically produced agricultural ingredients which are not commercially available in organic form; and/or
      2. other substances allowed by 7 CFR 205.605.

Your label MUST:

Show an ingredient statement.

List the organic ingredients as "organic" when other organic labeling is shown.

1 Water and salt included as ingredients must not be identified as organic. (IS)

Show below the name and address of the handler (bottler, distributor, importer, manufacturer, packer, processor, etc.) of the finished product, the statement:

        "Certified organic by ___" or similar phrase, followed by the name of the Certifying Agent. Certifying Agent seals may not be used to satisfy this requirement. (IP)

Your label MAY show:

The term "Organic" to modify the product name. (PDP/IP/OP)

"X% organic" or "X% organic ingredients." (PDP/IP/OP)

The USDA Organic seal and/or certifying agent seal(s). (PDP/OP)

The certifying agent business/Internet address or telephone number. (IP)

1 To identify an ingredient as organically produced, in the ingredients statement, use the word, "organic" in conjunction with the name of the ingredient, or an asterisk or other reference mark which is defined below the ingredient statement.

Good to know, thanks for the info! This is the kind of information consumers to need to be aware of.

The argument as to whether mankind would be better off with more or less population growth is a whole other thread. Either way, our population needs to be healthy. Chemicals such as BPA not only contribute to our poor health (think of the impact on healthcare costs) but may also affect the planet in adverse ways (who knows how many countless species may also be affected by BPA). We all know there are many examples of chemicals being released that have devastating affects on the ecosystem and that isn't good for anyone, regardless of our views on population growth.

lol, I understand what you're saying and I completely agree with you that there are very few corporations (state owned or not) that will act on their own accord for the 'world's' benefit. The power here though is really with the consumer. I for example do not purchase any plastics that have BPA in them, if i have a choice. There are more and more private enterprises that are manufacturing BPA free plastics as they see demand increasing. I hope the trend continues.

This is definitely a step in the right direction. BPA is a risk to the entire population and it's use is very widespread. It disrupts our hormonal system and has now been linked to different types of breast cancer, heart disease and endocrine disorders. It also affects our reproductive systems. People really need to be aware that the use of plastics containing BPA is harmful and that use of this substance is currently ubiquitous throughout the world.