USDA Organic Seal
The certification mark indicating a product meets the National Organic Program standards. Use is governed by NOP §205.300 through §205.311.
The USDA Organic seal is the green-and-white round mark indicating that a product meets the National Organic Program standards. It's the only federally regulated organic certification mark in the United States, and its use is tightly controlled by 7 CFR Part 205 Subpart D (Labels, Labeling, and Market Information).
Who can display it
The seal can appear on products certified to the NOP standards by a USDA-accredited certifying agent. That covers four labeling categories:
| Category | Composition | Seal allowed? |
|---|---|---|
| 100% Organic | All ingredients are organic, including processing aids | Yes |
| Organic | At least 95% of ingredients (by weight, excluding water and salt) are organic | Yes |
| Made with organic ___ | At least 70% organic ingredients | No — can list specific organic ingredients but no seal |
| Specific organic ingredients | Less than 70% organic | No seal, can only mention organic ingredients in the ingredients list |
What the regulation requires
NOP §205.303 covers the use of the term "organic" on labels for products with 95% or more organic ingredients, and NOP §205.304 covers the "made with organic" tier. The full set of labeling rules runs through subpart D.
Operations using the seal must:
- Be currently certified by a USDA-accredited certifying agent
- Display the certifier's name on the information panel of the package
- Use the official seal artwork without modification (the USDA AMS provides approved versions)
- Apply the seal only to products that meet the labeling category claimed
Why it matters
The seal is the consumer's primary visual signal for organic. Misuse — putting the seal on a non-certified product, on a "made with" product, or after certification has lapsed — is a federal violation enforceable by the USDA with fines up to $11,000 per violation per NOP §205.100.
Common gotchas
- Lapsed certification. Products in distribution after a certification has been suspended or revoked must have the seal removed or be re-labeled.
- Imported products. Imported organic goods must meet the NOP standards (or an equivalent under a USDA Organic Equivalence Arrangement) to carry the seal in the U.S.
- Lookalike marks. State or third-party organic marks (CCOF's "Certified Organic" mark, for example) can appear alongside the USDA seal but cannot replace it.
Cited regulations
Linked to the current eCFR text of 7 CFR Part 205. Reviewed before publication.
QO Editorial Team
Quick Organics
Quick Organics' editorial team writes about USDA organic certification, the Organic System Plan, and the daily realities of running a certified organic operation. Material is reviewed against the current eCFR text of 7 CFR Part 205 before publication.