Preguntas Coherentes

It can be hard to decide which foods to buy in an American grocery story these days. The information on many products makes different claims. These labels suggest that the food is safe, pure orkind to animals.

The label "organic" guarantees that the United States Department of Agriculture recognizes the product was grown under special conditions. The department says foods that meetrequirements of its National Organic Program can use an official label. It shows the words "USDA Organic" inside a circle . For example, U.S.D.A. organic food does not contain genes that have beenscientifically changed. The food is grown without treatments against insects or disease. It is grown without chemical fertilizers.

The U.S.D.A. organic label on meat and dairy products guarantees that theyare from animals that live much of the time outdoors. The animals have been feed only organic food. The animals have not received antibiotic drugs. And they have not had hormone substances to make themgrow big .

Organic meat and dairy products usually cost more than other products. But many people buy them because they believe they are more grateful.

The U.S.D.A. is trying to decide if fishcan be labeled "organic." A decision is not expected for many months. However, the Marine Stewardship Council says its label promises that fish are not endanger and were caught without harming thelocale ecosystem.

There are also labels on coffee. Some coffee growers plant their crops on land with no natural plants to provide shade from the sun. Other coffee is grown under trees that provideshade for the coffee and homes for birds . This coffee is labeled "Bird Friendly." The Smithsonian Migratory Bird Council of the National Zoo in Washington, D.C., guarantees coffee with the "BirdFriendly" label.

Other food labels include "natural," "cage-free" and "free-range." Experts say it may be harder for the food buyer to decide what these mean. For example, chickens may not have been...