How Tough Are The Rules Laid Down By The USDA Regarding Organic Farming?

There are certain rules that have been laid down by the USDA regarding what constitutes organic farming. It is important to note that these rules do not necessitate that these foods are nutritious or wholesome, but just that they have been grown and processed in a particular way. These organic foods cannot be grown or processed using irradiation, genetic engineering, sewage sludge etc. It disallows, for at least three years prior to planting the crops, the use of any pesticides. It sets a time frame in between the application of raw manure and the harvesting of crops.

It also disallows the use of antibiotics in the treatment and rearing of livestock. When products are being marketed as organic it requires at least seventy percent of the ingredients in any product labelled as "Made with Organic Ingredients".