There are a lot of words floating around in conjunction with “all natural.” We have provided this glossary of commonly used phrases to reference if questions arise. Important Food Terms
ALL NATURAL* All-natural, USDA-regulated products generally contain no artificial ingredients, chemical preservatives, added colors or synthetic food additives, and are minimally processed. “Minimally processed” means the product has been processed in a manner that does not fundamentally alter it. ALLERGEN FREE If a food product contains one of the eight major allergens (cow’s milk, eggs, peanuts, tree nuts, fish, shellfish, soy and wheat) the food manufacturer is required to declare the presence of the allergen on the label. A product absent of these declarations may be considered free from such added allergen ingredients, but the term “allergen free” is not permitted in labeling. ANTIBIOTIC FREE The term “no antibiotics added” may be used on labels for meat or poultry products if the producer provides sufficient evidence demonstrating that the animals were raised without the use of antibiotics. The term “antibiotic free” is not permitted, as all meat and poultry products must be free of antibiotics. CELLULOSE Cellulose extracted from wood pulp or cotton and chemically processed with acids or alkali can be added as a creaming agent or thickener to shredded cheese (Parmesan), ice cream, fast food (burgers), powdered drink mixes and other commercial foods. FREE-RANGE The USDA specifies that animals defined as “free- range” must be given an open, airy space, as well as the opportunity to graze. No other criteria — such as the size of the range or the amount of space given to each animal are required for an animal to be designated “free-range.” GENETICALLY ENGINEERED According to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), genetic engineering refers to the use of modern biotechnology to introduce, rearrange, delete or alter genetic traits in organisms. This includes intentionally altering genomic DNA which is a process that includes, but is not necessarily limited to, the use of genome- editing technologies or genetic engineering to introduce desirable traits into organisms. At this time, there are no genetically engineered domestic food animals approved for commercial use.
GENETICALLY MODIFIED ORGANISM (GMO) An organism whose genome has been altered in order to favor the expression of desired traits or the output of desired biological products. See prior definition of “Genetically Engineered” for further information. GESTATION CRATE Gestation crates are individual stall units used for housing sows during the time of pregnancy. They are used so that individual sows can be fed relative to their individual needs and to reduce the potential impact of aggressive behaviors sometimes seen in group housing. GLUTEN FREE In 2013, the FDA published a new regulation defining “gluten free.” For a food to be considered “gluten free,” it must contain less than 20 parts per million of gluten. The term “gluten” refers to proteins that occur naturally in wheat, rye, barley and crossbred hybrids of these grains. GROUP SOW HOUSING This is a method of housing sows together in pens. Sizes of the pens may vary from five sows per pen up to more than 100 sows per pen. Free-access stalls, trickle feeding, electronic sow feeding stations and deep-bedded systems are just a few of the many variations in group housing systems. HIGH FRUCTOSE CORN SYRUP High fructose corn syrup (HFCS) is a sweetener made from corn found in thousands of foods and beverages on grocery store shelves throughout the United States. HFCS is composed of either 42 percent or 55 percent fructose, with the remaining sugars being primarily glucose and higher sugars. HORMONE FREE Per federal regulation, added hormones are prohibited in the raising of hogs, poultry and dairy cattle. Hormones may be given to sheep or beef cattle to help improve production. The FDA and a joint committee of the Food and Agriculture Organization and World Health Organization (FAO/WHO) state that the amount of these hormones that make it into food products is safe for consumption. However, no product may be labeled as “hormone free” because hormones are naturally occurring in all mammals. Claims related to hormones may only speak to the absence of their use in livestock production.
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*Minimally processed. No artificial ingredients.
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