Organic & Sustainability
The "Made With Organic" claim indicates that a product contains at least 70% certified organic ingredients, excluding salt and water, and must adhere to specific USDA labeling guidelines.
Full Definition
A "Made With Organic" claim is a specific USDA organic labeling category for multi-ingredient products. It signifies that 70% to 94% of the product's ingredients, by weight or fluid volume (excluding salt and water), are certified organic. The remaining non-organic ingredients must be produced without prohibited methods (e.g., genetic engineering) and cannot be organically available. Unlike products labeled "Organic" (95% or more organic ingredients), products with a "Made With Organic" claim cannot display the USDA Organic Seal on their principal display panel, but they can list up to three organic ingredients or ingredient categories on the front of the package.
Why It Matters for CPG Brands
For CPG brand operators, this claim offers a valuable middle ground to appeal to health-conscious consumers without requiring 95% or 100% organic ingredients, which can be challenging or costly. It helps build consumer trust and market differentiation by transparently communicating the significant organic content, while avoiding potential mislabeling penalties from regulatory bodies.
In CPG Operations
When a CPG brand formulates a new snack bar, they might find it difficult to source a specific flavor extract as certified organic. If they ensure all other major ingredients like oats, nuts, and dried fruits are certified organic, and these collectively exceed 70% of the product's total weight (excluding water), they can legally use the "Made With Organic" claim. This allows them to market the organic attributes while accommodating supply chain limitations for certain components.
Example
A frozen entree brand with 8 SKUs wants to highlight its organic vegetables and grains, but their beef supplier is not USDA Organic certified. By ensuring that over 70% of the product's total weight (excluding water and salt) comes from certified organic vegetables, rice, and spices, the brand can use the phrase "Made With Organic Rice and Vegetables" on its packaging, without needing full USDA Organic certification for the entire product.
Manage Made With Organic Claim with Guidance
Guidance is the operations platform built for CPG brands. Replace your spreadsheets with one connected system for purchasing, production, inventory, COGS, and compliance.
Apply as a Design Partner
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main difference between "Organic" and "Made With Organic"?
The primary difference is the percentage of organic ingredients. "Organic" products must contain 95% or more organic ingredients, allowing them to display the USDA Organic Seal. "Made With Organic" products contain 70-94% organic ingredients and cannot use the USDA Organic Seal, but can state "Made With Organic" followed by up to three organic ingredients on the front panel.
Can my CPG brand use the USDA Organic Seal if our product is "Made With Organic"?
No, products labeled "Made With Organic" are not permitted to use the USDA Organic Seal anywhere on their packaging. Only products containing 95% or more organic ingredients (labeled simply "Organic") or 100% organic products can display the seal.
What kind of documentation do I need to support a "Made With Organic" claim?
You need to maintain thorough records, including organic certificates for all organic ingredients from your suppliers, detailed formulation sheets showing the percentage of organic content, and an Organic System Plan (OSP) that outlines your processes for handling and segregating organic ingredients to prevent commingling or contamination.