WHAT IS ORGANIC?
2025 SWEETENER BUYING GUIDE
Since 2019, home cooks across the country have shared their frustrations with me—struggling to find the right sugar alternative, feeling misled by labels, and wondering what’s actually safe to use. I knew there had to be a better way. So, I created a series of sweetener buying guides and smart kitchen tools.
One thing became clear:
Many home cooks don’t just want a sugar alternative—they want reassurance. They want to know that their sweetener is free from artificial ingredients, GMOs, and questionable pesticides. And for many, the USDA Organic seal is that reassurance. But what does “organic” really mean? Is it worth it?
NOT SURE ABOUT ORGANIC SWEETENERS?
Let's Break it Down
If you’re not buying certified organic sweeteners, it's likely for one of three reasons:
• You assume they’re always more expensive than conventional options.
• You’re not sure what organic certification really means.
• You don’t fully trust organic certification or think it’s a marketing tactic.
And that’s okay—I'm here to break it down so you can decide for yourself.
While “organic” is sometimes grouped with vague claims like "all natural" on sweetener labels, it actually guarantees strict standards for how a sweetener is sourced, processed, and handled.
I’ve visited dozens of facilities that produce and package sweeteners, comparing USDA-certified organic with conventional processing. Seeing the process firsthand gave me a whole new appreciation for organic certification.
That’s why I created this page — to simplify organic sweeteners.
Wondering if organic sweeteners are really worth it? I’ve got 15 reasons that might convince you.
Let's start with what an organic sweetener actually is.
WHAT IS AN ORGANIC SWEETENER?
So, what exactly makes a sweetener organic? And how does the certification process work?
✅ A certified organic sweetener follows a long list of rigorous rules
The use of the term "organic" on food labels is regulated by the National Organic Program (NOP), which was established and is administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).
It took the USDA 12 years to set the rules, which are complicated and take hundreds of pages in the Federal Register.
✅ Higher standards than conventional: USDA + FDA oversight
Conventional sweeteners only need to meet Food and Drug Administration's regulations for labeling.
Organic sweeteners, however, must comply with both USDA’s organic standards and FDA’s labeling requirements. This extra layer of oversight ensures that organic sweeteners undergo greater scrutiny than conventional ones.
✅ Unlike ‘natural,’ the term ‘organic’ is strictly regulated
The term “organic” on sweetener labels follows a strict set of regulations, ensuring compliance with farming, processing, and handling standards.
In contrast, “natural” is an informal, unregulated claim with no consistent standards, not requiring third-party certification.
✅ For a sweetener to be labeled organic, every step — from growing the plant to how it is processed, handled, and packaged — must meet USDA standards.
The organic certification is about the entire journey of the sweetener—from farm to table. There are two certification types:
-
Producers — Farmers or ranchers who grow organic crops used to make sweeteners are certified as producers.
-
Handlers – Businesses that process, package, or distribute organic sweeteners must obtain an organic handling certification.
THE SOURCE
Where the Organic Sweetener Comes From
Here are some details on how an organic sweetener must be sourced:
✅ To be organic, sweeteners must be made from crops grown under farming practices that focus on a healthy environment
If you are concerned about the environmental impact of conventional farming, choosing organic sweeteners is for you. Organic farmers must use practices that maintain or enhance the soil and water quality while conserving wetlands, woodlands, and wildlife.
Curious about some specific ways organic farming benefits the environment?
To maintain integrity of the crop: The USDA requires that land used for organic crop production must not have any prohibited substances applied for at least 3 years prior to the first organic harvest. This transition period is designed to eliminate residues of synthetic chemicals and ensure the integrity of organic crops.
For soil health: Organic producers must implement crop rotations to promote soil health and ecological balance.
For sustainability: Choosing organic is a straightforward way to tackle some of the greatest challenges we face, such as climate change and protecting natural resources.
✅ Genetically modified (GM) seeds are not allowed
Certified organic sweeteners cannot come from genetically engineered seeds.
Most natural, zero-calorie sweeteners are derived from corn, but to be certified organic, they must come from non-GMO corn grown under the organic standards. Likewise, organic sugar cannot be sourced from GM sugar beets.
Since corn and sugar beets grown in the U.S. are genetically modified, organic sweeteners made from these crops must either be sourced from non-GMO varieties grown abroad or produced domestically using imported non-GMO corn.
✅ Minimizes exposure to synthetic pesticides and fertilizers
Organic production is designed to protect soil, water, and wildlife while relying on fewer external inputs. That doesn't mean organic is pesticide-free or chemical-free — but the use of synthetic substances is strictly limited and designed to minimize environmental impact.
Certain sprays and powders are permitted in organic crops. To be allowed, the substance must: 1) be absolutely necessary; 2) be safe to humans; and 3) not contribute to crops, soil, or water contamination.
To put this into perspective: Organic farmers have restricted access to about 15 synthetic pesticides, while over 500 synthetic pesticides are registered for use in conventional farming. This major difference is one of the reasons why organic products help reduce overall exposure to synthetic pesticides and chemical residues.
🍯 What about organic honey? Because bees can forage for miles, organic honey requires at least 1.8 miles of isolation from pesticide contamination. This is one of the key challenges to produce organic honey is the U.S. Also, there are no final USDA organic standards specific to honey, only recommendations from 2010.
✅ The grower must submit a lot of paperwork and comply with a long list of strict rules
Becoming a certified organic producer requires detailing farming practices and submitting an Organic System Plan.
An NOP-authorized certifying agency reviews this plan, conducts an on-site farm inspection, and, if all requirements are met, grants organic certification. To maintain certification, farmers must undergo annual inspections.
The USDA lists almost 80 certifying agencies. The most well-known in the U.S. include:
• Quality Assurance International (QAI)
• Oregon Tilth Certified Organic
• California Certified Organic Farmers.
THE PROCESS
How Organic Sweeteners are Made
Organic doesn’t mean unprocessed or unrefined. Organic sweeteners still go through processing—but under strict rules that control how they are manufactured, refined, and packaged.
To be labeled as an organic sweetener and display the USDA Organic seal, it must meet specific processing and handling requirements, including:
✅ Organic sweetener processing facilities must be inspected and certified
Just like the farmer, the facility that manufactures, processes, and packages the sweetener must also be certified by an NOP-authorized agency. These facilities must follow NOP organic processing regulations.
Annual on-site inspections ensure that compliance is maintained.
✅ Artificial and synthetic ingredients are not allowed in organic sweeteners
None of the artificial sweeteners listed HERE are permitted. Common synthetic preservatives—like sodium benzoate and potassium sorbate, often found in conventional liquid sweeteners—are also prohibited.
Artificial flavors are not allowed either.
When it comes to organic cane sugar, processing is also stricter. As it's less processed, it retains more of the natural color and flavor of cane molasses. Bone char (used to decolorize conventional sugar) is not on the National List of Allowed and Prohibited Substances, so it cannot be used in organic sugar production.
✅ If the sweetener is organic, it is non-GMO
The use of genetic engineering or genetically modified organisms (GMOs) is prohibited in organic products. For example, organic erythritol cannot come from processes that involve genetically engineered yeast — it must be derived from a yeast found in nature.
Similarly, genetically modified enzymes are not allowed under the NOP. This means organic sweeteners can only come from enzymes sourced from plants, animals or microorganisms that are free of GMOs.
✅ Organic sweeteners must be kept separate from conventional versions to ensure compliance with USDA regulations
Facilities that process and handle organic sweeteners must have strict procedures to keep them separate from conventional versions.
Inspections confirm these procedures are in place, and audits of production records ensures no conventional product is mislabeled or sold as organic. Selling or labeling a sweetener organic when it does not meet USDA standards can result in fines up to $20,130 per violation.
✅ A lot of paperwork must be submitted by the manufacturer and other handlers
The processor must submit an Organic System Plan (OSP) detailing manufacturing practices, ingredient sources, and handling processes. The certifier reviews and approves this plan to ensure compliance with organic regulations.
Beyond the manufacturer, co-packers, distributors, and other handlers must also be certified by an NOP-authorized agent to guarantee that organic standards are met at every stage.
A certified organic sweetener must include the name of the certifying agency on the product's label. While some products display the USDA Organic seal, it is not always required.
THE PRODUCT
Organic Sweeteners are Held to Higher Standards
Organic sweeteners aren’t necessarily healthier than their conventional counterparts. For example, as I explain in this blog post, organic sugar has the same nutritional value as regular sugar, but is less processed and retains more of the natural color and flavor of cane molasses.
But organic certification isn’t about adding more nutrients—it’s about ensuring higher standards. It’s not just about what you’re avoiding (like synthetic pesticides and GMOs)—it’s also about what you’re supporting.
Beyond nutrition, here’s why organic matters:
✅ Organic sweeteners are verified every step of the way
Many organic sweeteners — like coconut sugar, agave, monk fruit, and stevia — come from outside the U.S. Before they reach your kitchen, they pass through many hands: transporters, warehouses, customs agencies, and more.
Unlike conventional sweeteners, which may pass through multiple intermediaries with little oversight, organic sweeteners must be documented at every step.
Even when produced abroad, organic sweeteners must still meet USDA organic requirements. That can happen in one of three ways:
-
Certified by a USDA-accredited agency — even if the agency is based in the U.S. or another country
-
Approved by a trusted foreign government that’s allowed to certify products as USDA Organic.
-
Certified under an international agreement, where the U.S. and another country recognize each other’s organic rules.
✅ The more you choose organic sweeteners, the more affordable they become
While organic sweeteners tend to cost more than conventional ones, choosing organic supports demand, which can lead to more competitive pricing over time.
As more people choose organic, the price gap shrinks, making organic sweeteners more accessible for everyone.
Of course, prices can vary depending on the type of sweetener and market conditions, but every purchase helps move the market toward more affordable organic options.
Organic isn’t always more expensive.
It’s a common belief that organic sweeteners always cost more than conventional ones. But that’s not always true—in some cases, organic can be just as affordable or even cheaper.
To compare value, I looked at the price of WhatSugar Organic Monk Fruit Extract alongside It’s Just, NuNaturals, Smart Monk, and Transparency — four non-organic monk fruit extracts currently sold on Amazon.
The chart below focuses on real value—not just the number of servings, but how much sweetener you need to replace 1 cup of sugar. And when you look at it that way, WhatSugar Organic Monk Fruit Extract is the most cost-effective choice.
Learn how to compare sweetener costs the right way — visit my Decoding Sweetener Price page.
IF YOU'RE SKEPTICAL ABOUT ORGANIC
Read This
For those who told me, "As for USDA organic... can you really trust the government?" — I hear you.
Skepticism is a good thing. And no system is perfect. But compared to conventional food production, organic is the most heavily regulated and transparent option available today.
USDA organic standards aren’t just a U.S. program—they are globally recognized and align with international organic regulations, including EU Organic and the Canadian Organic Regime (COR).
Can you really trust USDA organic?
It’s easy to assume organic certification is just another label, but here’s the reality:
-
It’s a legally enforced standard, not a marketing gimmick.
The term “organic” is protected by law. Companies cannot simply slap “organic” on their labels without meeting strict requirements. Violators face fines up to $20,130 per violation.
-
It’s backed by third-party verification
Organic certification isn’t self-policed. Independent, USDA-accredited certifiers inspect farms and facilities annually to ensure compliance.
While the organic seal in sweetener labels is often grouped with other logos like Non-GMO Project Verified and Keto Certified — none of them come close to the rigorous standards and oversight of USDA Organic.
-
It requires transparency at every stage
From farming and processing to handling and labeling, organic sweeteners must follow strict documentation and requirements.
Is organic perfect? No. But it’s the best system we have.
No system is flawless. There will always be challenges in enforcement, loopholes, and mislabeling issues. But when compared to conventional farming—which allows hundreds of synthetic pesticides, GMOs, and minimal supply chain tracking—organic offers the highest level of accountability.
The choice is yours.
I encourage you to do your own research. Look into how organic farming, processing, and certification actually work.
Better yet, visit an organic-certified facility yourself. Many organic farms, processors, and co-packers offer tours or educational programs where you can see firsthand how strict organic standards are enforced. Seeing the process up close can give you a whole new appreciation for what it means to be truly organic.
WhatSugar-Approved
After years of analyzing sweeteners, I’m bringing you the best in 2025. WhatSugar The Sweetener Co. is my new line of certified organic sugar alternatives—handpicked for exceptional quality from a small USA-based business you can trust. And the first monk fruit product just launched! Want updates on monk fruit and allulose blends or stevia? Email me at info@whatsugar.com.
WhatSugar is reader-supported.
When you buy through Amazon links, this site may earn an affiliate commission.
A one-woman business relying on Amazon affiliate commission to avoid ads.
The list above is not intended to endorse, advertise or recommend products.
We present this listing simply as a service to our readers.
