"Organic" is one of the most useful words on a label, and one of the most misunderstood. On some products it's a regulated claim backed by inspection. On others it can mean almost nothing. Knowing which is which is most of the battle.
What organic means
Organic describes how something was grown or raised: without synthetic fertilizers and most synthetic pesticides, without genetically engineered seed, and under rules for soil, water and animal welfare. It's a farming standard, checked by an accredited certifier, not a test of the finished product.
That distinction matters. Organic doesn't mean "chemical-free" (organic farming allows a short list of approved inputs), and it doesn't by itself tell you how a fibre was dyed or finished after it left the farm. For that, you need the textile standards further down.
Food in Canada: the rules are strict
In Canada, organic claims on food are regulated under the Safe Food for Canadians Regulations and the Canada Organic Regime, overseen by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA). The percentage of organic ingredients decides what a label may say:
- 95% or more organic: may be called "organic" and may carry the Canada Organic logo.
- 70% to under 95%: may say "contains X% organic ingredients," but can't use the logo or simply call itself organic.
- Under 70%: organic ingredients can only be named as organic in the ingredient list.
A few details worth knowing: certified products must name their certification body on the label. "100% organic" isn't a permitted claim in Canada, and neither is "made with organic ingredients," because it doesn't tell you how much. Some provinces, including British Columbia, also run their own organic programs for products sold only within the province.
Food in the US: similar, with one extra tier
The USDA National Organic Program uses four categories:
- "100% organic": only organic ingredients (not counting water and salt). May use the USDA Organic seal.
- "Organic": at least 95% organic. May use the seal.
- "Made with organic ___": at least 70% organic. No seal.
- Under 70%: organic ingredients named in the ingredient list only.
So a phrase that's normal on an American package, "made with organic ingredients," isn't allowed on a Canadian one. If you shop across the border or on Amazon, that's why labels look different.
Skincare, soap and cosmetics: read carefully
This is where "organic" gets slippery. The CFIA states that cosmetics, natural health products and pet food are outside the scope of the Canada Organic Regime: they can't be certified under it or carry the Canada Organic logo. A Canadian cosmetic can still list individual organic ingredients, but "organic" on the front isn't backed by the same federal system as your groceries.
In the US, the USDA only regulates "organic" on cosmetics when they contain agricultural ingredients and are certified to its standards. Many products instead use private or foreign certifications, which can be good, but vary.
What to look for: a named certifier or recognized seal, an ingredient list where the organic ingredients are actually marked, and a short, readable ingredient list overall. Be wary of "organic" in a brand name or tagline with no certification anywhere.
Textiles: look for GOTS
For blankets, sheets, towels and clothing, the standard to know is GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard). It's the main certification that follows a textile from the field through spinning, dyeing and sewing, not just the raw fibre. GOTS has two label grades:
- "Organic": at least 95% certified organic fibre.
- "Made with X% organic materials": at least 70% certified organic fibre.
Beyond the fibre, GOTS also restricts the dyes and chemicals used in processing and sets social criteria for the factories involved. That's why it's a more meaningful mark than "organic cotton" on its own, which may only describe how the cotton was grown.
One example from our shop: the Salt Earth Organic Waffle Blanket is made from GOTS-certified organic cotton.
You'll also see OEKO-TEX on many textiles, like the cover of our Woolino Merino Wool Mattress Topper. That's a different promise: OEKO-TEX tests the finished product for a list of harmful substances, but it isn't an organic standard. Both are useful; they answer different questions. We'll cover textile labels in more detail in a future guide.
When "not organic" is still a good choice
A missing organic label doesn't make a product a poor pick. Linen is made from flax, a crop that generally needs less water and fewer inputs than conventional cotton, and wool is a naturally renewable fibre. Pieces like our 100% linen sheet set or a washable wool blanket don't carry an organic claim, but they're natural fibres made to last instead of synthetic ones made to be replaced.
That's how we think about it at Earth & Home: organic certification is a strong signal when it's real, but durability, materials and what a product replaces matter too.
The quick checklist
- Food: look for the Canada Organic or USDA Organic logo, and a named certifier.
- Percentages: "organic" means 95%+; a stated percentage means less.
- Skincare and soap: trust a named certification and a marked ingredient list, not a tagline.
- Textiles: GOTS is the gold standard for organic; OEKO-TEX is about tested substances, not organic farming.
- No certifier named anywhere? Treat "organic" as marketing until proven otherwise.
Sources: Canadian Food Inspection Agency, Canada Organic Regime guidance; USDA National Organic Program; Global Organic Textile Standard label grades. This guide is general information, not legal advice. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.