“Non-GMO,” “Organic,” “Pesticide-free” all these terms can sound confusing.

Here is a breakdown of what common food labels mean

Organic – According to the USDA, organic means “foods that are grown and processed according to federal guidelines addressing, among many factors, soil quality, animal raising practices, pest and weed control, and use of additives. Organic producers rely on natural substances and physical, mechanical, or biologically based farming methods to the fullest extent possible”. Not all products with this packaging meet this standard; to be organically certified by the USDA, the produce must meet this standard.

Non-GMO – GMO or genetically modified organism according to the USDA, is “a plant, animal, or microorganism that has had its genetic material (DNA) changed using technology that generally involves the specific modification of DNA, including the transfer of specific DNA from one organism to another.” non-GMO means the plant or animal has not been genetically modified. Natural genetic modifications can happen and are entirely natural and do not fall into this category.

Pesticide-free – According to GreenerChoices.org, “Pesticides” is a general term for products that control living organisms that are considered pests. Pesticides can target insects, plants, fungi, or other types of pests. When people think of pesticides applied to crops, they probably picture an airplane flying over a farm field or a truck driving through an orchard, spraying pesticides on the crops while growing. But many pesticides are applied to seeds, soil, and crops before and after the actual growing period.

Grass-fed – The animal ate only grasses and forages (like hay) for the length of its life, starting when it was weaned off its mother’s milk. The label is regulated by the USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Services (FSIS) but isn’t strictly enforced.

The producer must send documentation to FSIS stating that its animals are raised on an all-grass diet. The claims then have to be verified by USDA auditors, which happens from an office rather than an in-person visit.