{"id":645,"date":"2012-06-09T08:00:41","date_gmt":"2012-06-09T12:00:41","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/mymontys.com\/wordpress\/?p=645"},"modified":"2012-07-27T15:59:52","modified_gmt":"2012-07-27T19:59:52","slug":"ask-monty%e2%80%99s-omri-listed-versus-%e2%80%9ccertified-organic%e2%80%9d-labeling","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.wordpress.mymontys.com\/?p=645","title":{"rendered":"Ask Monty\u2019s – “OMRI Listed” versus \u201cCertified Organic\u201d labeling"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/a>What is the difference between plant food or fertilizer that is \u201cOMRI Listed\u201d and \u201ccertified organic?\u201d\u00a0 Who certifies these organic products?<\/p>\n

Rick, Eagle Mountain, Utah<\/em><\/p>\n

Rick:
\nThis can be confusing and maybe even redundant, but the terminology and two endorsements actually work together and maybe even simultaneously.<\/p>\n

First, the term “certified organic” can only legally apply to food and fiber products, and not to fertilizers or plant food.\u00a0 Second, as mentioned in an earlier post<\/a>, fertilizer companies can use the term “organic” to refer to organic \u2014 or carbon-based \u2014 content, without any verification that any or all of the ingredients meet specifications set out by the National Organic Program to be listed by OMRI (see below).<\/p>\n

The USDA has established the guidelines to meet \u201corganic certification,\u201d<\/strong> which ensures that the end product \u2014 food or fiber \u2014 has conformed to their strict uniform standards, which are verified by independent state or private organizations. The certifications include:<\/p>\n