The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) will begin reconsidering the rules governing use of the word ‘natural.’

Discover B2B Marketing That Performs

Combine business intelligence and editorial excellence to reach engaged professionals across 36 leading media platforms.

Find out more


More clarity is required, says the USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service, which will reconsider current rules. Set in 1982, those guidelines asked that a product labelled as natural be “not more than minimally processed,” and came before many advances in food production and packaging, including antimicrobial agents, high pressure pasteurisation and other methods that cannot be automatically defined under current understanding of the term ‘natural.’


Some current products requiring clarification include products treated with sodium lactate, and the marketing of poultry, which is soaked in or injected with salt water.

Just Food Excellence Awards - The Benefits of Entering

Gain the recognition you deserve! The Just Food Excellence Awards celebrate innovation, leadership, and impact. By entering, you showcase your achievements, elevate your industry profile, and position yourself among top leaders driving food industry advancements. Don’t miss your chance to stand out—submit your entry today!

Nominate Now