Organic labels may mislead

Products can either be labeled "100 percent organic," or "organic," the latter meaning the produce is more than 95 percent organic, according to the Kansas State University food safety Web site. Produce can also be "made with organic ingredients," which means it's at least 70 percent organic, but it can't carry the U.S. organic seal.

There are recognizable differences between organic and certified organic, said Jennifer Ryder Fox, dean of the college of agriculture.

If the produce is labeled "certified organic," then a third party has looked at the records and determined the farmer has followed the correct requirements. For three years, farmers have to follow a strict regimen, then have to have a third party come in and certify it. Growing organic food requires an understanding of the regulatory process on a local, state and federal level. The entire flow of the farming practices has to be organic, from the seed to the milk in the carton.