Organic foods are not new but are becoming something that many people are now interested in. There are different ways to categorize food as organic, the main way in the US being through the USDA Certified Organics program. 

One way the USDA maintains these standards is through the Organic Food Products Act (OFPA) 7 U.S.C. §§ 6501 to 6524, which regulates the production of organic foods under the USDA within the United States.

Organic foods have their own labeling requirements, different from traditionally produced products. The USDA has a quick reference guide for producers looking to correctly label their organic products

Regulated by the USDA, when a product meets a specific standard set forth the product is "Certified Organic" and is able to bear the seal (attached below). This standard is helpful for consumers so they are able to comfortably purchase a product that they know has met what the USDA deems to be organic. If it is a mixed product (trail mix, prepared food, etc.) it can bear the seal if it contains a specified amount of USDA Certified Organic food products. 

This is a federally regulated series of guidelines to ensure a consistent standard is kept between different organic certifications and labelings.