Free Tool
Type any certification or label term — USDA Organic, Non-GMO Project, COSMOS, and more — and get a plain-English explanation of what it actually requires, and who verifies it.
Reflects commonly published certification standards as of publication. Requirements can be updated by the certifying body — always check the current source for legal or purchasing decisions.
How It Works
The decoder covers 9 common certifications and label terms. Each entry says what the label applies to, who verifies it, and what it does and doesn't mean. Entries are written from the certifiers' own published standards, including the USDA National Organic Program, the Non-GMO Project, the COSMOS standard, Fair Trade USA, Certified Humane, USP, and NSF.
Most of these labels answer different questions. USDA Organic covers how a food was grown and handled. Fair Trade covers worker and farmer pay, Certified Humane covers animal welfare, and USP and NSF check what's in a supplement and whether it's contaminated. A product can carry one, several, or none of them, and one doesn't stand in for another.
This tool explains what a label means. It doesn't verify any particular product. To confirm that a business is a certified organic operation, search the USDA's Organic Integrity Database.
For most foods, no. "Natural" has no single, strictly regulated definition, which is why it isn't in this tool. See our guide on organic vs. natural supplements for how that plays out.
"Organic" products must be at least 95% certified organic by content and can use the USDA seal. "Made with organic ingredients" requires at least 70%, and can't use the seal.
Tell us which one and we'll consider adding it. In the meantime, search the certifier's own website for its standard.
Last reviewed: October 2026. Certifier standards can change. Spot a mistake? Tell us.