Since the dog food recalls of 2007, most dog owners have become very aware of the need to study the dog food labels more stringently. Many have switched to making their own dog food, with many more switching to organic dog food. But what is organic dog food? How is it classified? In this article, I will explain what organic dog food is all about and the different guidelines necessary to be labeled that way. National standards for Organic Dog Food were set forth by the United States Department of Agriculture in 2002. Not only do the strict rules apply to organic dog food, but also any food that wants to be labeled organic. In the following commentary I describe these guidelines. Organic dog food is created without the use of pesticides, synthetic fertilizers or sewage sludge. It also has no GMO grains or irradiation. Organic dog food and the ingredients used are produced by farmers committed to the use of renewables and the conservation of soil and water for a better environment now and for the future. The farms that produce the ingredients for organic dog foods must be free of all contaminants for no less than three years before they can be classified as an organic farm. As far as organic meats, poultry and dairy products are concerned, they must derive from animals that are taking no antibiotics or growth hormones and are fed organic, pesticide free grains. Before an organic dog food can be classified as such, a USDA approved certifying agency must inspect the farms where the food is grown or raised in order to make sure each are adhering to all the rules necessary to meet USDA organic standards. Even the companies that process the organic dog foods must also be USDA certified.
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