Organic products and non-organic products have been a topic of interest to me for a long time because I have often wondered if there is really a difference between the two types of products. I have always wondered what the possible nutritional, economic, labor and pollution differences were in the creation of the two types of products. Through research, I have found several sources of information that allow me to determine more than a physical difference between the two. To start, labeling something as organic is specific and determined by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). The established regulations are extremely specific and it is relatively difficult to meet the standards. Pesticides must be natural and on the approved list established by the Organic Foods Production Act 1990 (6). The crop must also be free of banned substances for at least three years. The time limit is set to allow room for chemicals, which may have an effect on the crop, which may persist over time and become less abundant. This is only a prerequisite for the crop to be considered organic, meaning the crop may not be certified as organic anyway. It is also prohibited to subject the harvest used to genetic engineering. In order for livestock to be labeled organic, the animal must also undergo several standards set by the USDA. Because many non-organic animals use many types of drugs, organic animals cannot be treated with prohibited drugs, according to the USDA. Livestock must also have access to the outdoors. The only exception to this condition is that the animal may be contained based on its health, safety, ... middle of paper ... Florida IFAS Extension. March 2006. Web. 14 February 2011. .4. Mayo clinic staff. "Organic Foods: Are They Safer? More Nutritious?" Mayo Clinic. 18 December 2010. Web. 14 February 2011. .5. Milmo, Cahal. “Organic farming 'no better for the environment' - Green Living, Environment - The Independent.” The Independent. 19 February 2007. Web. 15 February 2011. .6. "Organic farming". US Environmental Protection Agency. 29 July 2009. Web. 15 February 2011. .7. T, Pragya. “Organic Foods vs. Non-Organic Foods.” Buzzle Web Portal: Smart Life on the Web. Network. February 14. 2011. .