Amy E's Bakery products are certified organic by Oregon Tilth.

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) regulates the use of the word ?organic?. They have set up rules for growers, producers, and handlers of organic food products that are to be followed at all times. Compliance with the rules is checked by organic certifying agencies.

Products labeled ?100% Organic? have to have every ingredient certified organic. To be labeled as ?Organic?, 95% of the ingredients in a product have to be certified organic. Products labeled as ?Made with organic ____? have to contain at least 70% organic ingredients.

There is a list of allowed ingredients in the USDA regulations that cannot be produced by organic means and can be used in organic products. Baking soda and baking powder are examples of these. Without them, most cakes, cookies, and muffins would be flatter than the average pancake. They do count against the total percentage of organic ingredients in a product, so a product with them in it should not be listed as being ?100% Organic?.

All of the ingredients in Amy E?s Organic Biscotti are certified organic, with the exception of baking powder, water, and salt. Baking powder is an allowed ingredient and salt and water are, well ... salt and water. They don?t count as organic or non-organic ingredients. This makes my biscotti, cookie, and toffee recipes come out at about 99% organic. I don?t use any added colors, artificial flavors, or preservatives in my products.