Shopping for food is our daily activity. As we reach for organic options, there are several labels, words, seals and certifications that can be confusing. Here is a glossary to help you out a little.

The Organic Foods Production Act (OFPA) and the National Organic Program (NOP) assure consumers that the organic agricultural products they purchase are produced, processed, and certified to consistent national organic standards.

100% Organic: Products labeled as "100% organic" must contain only organically produced ingredients and processing aids.

Organic: Product labeled "organic" must consist of at least 95% organically produced ingredients. For "100% organic" and "organic" products USDA seal may appear on product packages and in advertisements. They must be grown and processed using organic farming methods that recycle resources and promote biodiversity. Crops must be grown without using synthetic pesticides, bioengineered genes, petroleum-based fertilizers and sewage sludge based fertilizers. Organic livestock must have access to the outdoors and be given no antibiotics or growth hormones.

Made with organic ingredients: Processed products that contain at least 70% organic ingredients can use the phrase. The USDA seal cannot be used anywhere on the package.

Natural: For meat and poultry, the "natural" label applies to how meat is processed, not how animals are raised. According to USDA, meat and pultry must be only "minimally processed" and cannot contain any artificial flavoring, color ingredients, chemical preservatives or artificial ingredients.

Hormone-free: This can be easily misunderstood, as all animal products naturally contain hormones. The USDA allows the label "no hormones administered" on meat or poultry products to designate that the animals did not receive added hormones during their lifetimes. Meanwhile, use of hormones in pigs and chicken are already prohibited, so the "no hormones administered" label on pork or poutry doesn't mean the producer took special measures.

No antibiotics administered: "Antibiotic-free" term is not allowed by the USDA, but, "no antibiotics administered" or "raised without antibiotics" is applicable when an animal has not received any antibiotics during the course of its lifetime.

Cage-free: This is defined by the USDA to mean that brids can roam indoors, but doesn't guarantee that birds are allowed access to the outdoors.

Grass-fed: Grass-fed animals produce meat that is higher in vitamins and omega-3 fatty acids and lower in fat than grain-fed animals.

Omega-3 enhanced: In eggs, this USDA term means that the laying hens were fed a diet enriched with natural sources of omega-3 fatty acids, such as flaxseed or fish oil.

References: www.usda.gov, www.fmi.org, www.npr.org