What does "Organic" mean?

Effective October 21, 2002, new U.S. organic standards have been instituted by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). For the consumer, the goal of the National Organic Standards is to make organic labeling consistent, clarify different categories of organic foods, and provide assurance of product integrity. The standards are expected to expand the marketing of organic products and support the credibility of U.S. organic agriculture.

After Oct. 21, 2002, only products with at least 70% organic ingredients will be able to make "organic" claims and boast the new USDA Organic seal. The categories created by the USDA distinguish between the percentage of organic ingredients in food products in the following manner:

• 100% Organic: all content is certified organic

• Organic: at least 95% of content by weight, excluding water and salt, is organic

• Made with Organic: If at least 70% of content is organic the main product panel may display the phrase, "Made with Organic" followed by up to three specific ingredients

• Products containing less than 70% organic content: may identify current content only on the product's ingredient list.
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What does "Totally Natural" mean?

"Totally Natural" refers to what is in the food. Totally natural foods contain no icky additives or pesky preservatives, and no artificial colors or flavors. All of Annie's products are either totally natural or organic.
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What is "Annatto?"

Annatto is a natural plant extract used in tropical American cultures for generations. The annatto tree grows 20 or 30 feet in height and when its seeds are stirred in water, they produce orange annatto dye, also called achiote, used to color foods such as cheese, butter, and mustard. Many cultures use achiote oils and pastes, with their mild flavor and intense color, on meat, fish, and rice.
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What is "Natural Flavor?"

According to the FDA, natural flavorings are "derived from a spice, fruit or fruit juice, edible yeast, herb, bark, bud, root, leaf or similar plant material, meat, seafood, poultry, egg, milk product...whose significant function in food is flavoring rather than nutritional." Our Pasta Meals and Peace Pasta with Parmesan utilize less than one tenth of one percent of natural flavors and extract. Please know that Annie's never puts any of the top eight allergens under "natural flavors."
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What is "Yeast Extract?"

Yeast Extract is a savory flavoring agent naturally produced by growing, harvesting, and concentrating yeast cells. The yeast self-digests (autolyzes), breaking down the cell walls, and creates a savory base used to formulate a multitude of different flavors.
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