The word "Organic" is not a substitute for "Natural." Foods labeled "Organic" have been grown and processed in accordance with the USDA National Organic Program. Certified organic foods may not be grown in the presence of pesticides, chemicals, antibiotics, or genetically engineered organisms. "Organic" is a certification process that is third-party verified. "Natural" is simply a marketing tool. There is no internationally recognized set of rules and criteria for "Natural." It means different things to different people.

Many consumers are under the impression that if they buy a product labeled "Natural," they are buying a product free from chemicals and antibiotics, or one that was grown in an environment free from pesticides and genetically-engineered organisms. This is simply untrue.

Take honey, for instance. Certified organic honey is not produced in the US in much quantity, due to the widespread use of chemicals and pesticides. Hive diseases in the US have forced many beekeepers to treat their hives with antibiotics, or risk losing their bee colonies to disease. The varroa mite has decimated US honey producers; over 50% or US bee colonies have died as a result. Since many producers cannot certify their honey as organic, they label their product as "Natural" honey instead.

Yet "Natural" honey is harvested from bees that may feed on the flowers of GM crops, or those that have been contaminated by agricultural chemicals. There is no guarantee that "Natural" honey found on store shelves is free from antibiotics, pesticide residues, or GM pollen.

Zambezi 100% Organic Forest Honey is a delicious Certified 100% Organic, Fairly Traded, tropical forest honey now available in many fine grocers nation-wide. The USDA organic seal on the label guarantees that Zambezi Organic Forest Honey is produced without chemicals, pesticides, antibiotics, or GM pollen.

Many consumers who care about their health and care about the environment have already made the switch to organic produce. If this applies to you - have you made the switch to organic honey yet? Why not?

Remember to look for the USDA organic seal. Don't fall for the "Natural" honey myth. Make the switch to certified organic honey today!