Are you as confused as I am by the various different terms sprinkled on packaging these days? It turns out, with a little research I was able to compile a list defining the various different words, logos and certifications that appear on the things we buy, in the stories we read and on the news we watch and hear…so we can now all sprinkle these words into our daily conversation and sound real smart.

Here's a  list of words found on food labeling. Most of the definitions below and further information can be found here or here.

1. Natural – unfortunately there are not real clear regulations on the use of this term so if you see it on grocery or household products you can probably assume it’s better than products that don’t carry any “healthy” terminology but, read the label to see exactly what the manufacturer means.

2. Organic – This term usually refers to products made from materials grown using natural fertilizers and no synthetic growth hormones. Again this is a little shaky though Organic food production is legally regulated. Currently, the United States, the European Union, Japan and many other countries require producers to obtain organic certification in order to market food as organic.

3. K or Kosher - means the food complies with Jewish dietary laws and was processed under the supervision of a rabbi. A “U” inside a circle means it complies with Jewish dietary laws and is authorized by the Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America, known as the Orthodox Union. The word “Parev” next to these symbols means the food contains neither meat nor dairy ingredients.

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