GoingTrueGreen's Blog Postings

Food Labels Decoded, Organic

1/30/2026

Omega-3 Enriched

Going True Green, Organic, organic certified, organic label

Knowing that an Organic or 100% Organic label is certified by having government approved agents inspect the farm producing the food makes this label the best one to have. Since 2002 USDA organic standards must be met by the farm or company producing the food. Additionally, they must also be certified so they are maintaining the specific regulations to be organic.

Organic foods must be produced without any pesticides, man-made fertilizers, ionizing radiation, bioengineering and any genetically modified material. Meats that are labeled organic, along with eggs, poultry and dairy products must come from animals that have not received any antibiotics or growth hormones.

Unfortunately there are three different categories that are confusing:
- "Made with Organic Ingredients" means that the product must have at least 70 percent of organic ingredients.
- "Organic" means that the product must have at least 95 percent of organic ingredients.
- "100% Organic" is the best way to go if you are not growing the food naturally yourself. These products must only have 100% organically produced ingredients.

With EGGS, Organic means the USDA Organic seal must be shown. This verifies that the eggs meet the organic standards including coming from uncaged hens that are free to roam and have access to the outdoors. Also the hens must be fed an organic diet of feed produced without conventional pesticides or fertilizers. (Check my previous blogs on these labels)

Bill Lauto, at GoingTrueGreen.com
Environmental Scientist
International Sustainability and Energy Consultant
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Food Labels Decoded, Omega-3 Enriched

1/12/2026

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Omega-3 Enriched

We need to have a "base-line" understanding for Omega-3 Enriched labels. The food label for Omega-3 Enriched must have the specific amounts of EPA, DHA, or ALA. These amounts are often an addition to the main Nutrition Facts label or panel. The FDA restricts direct claims such as: "Good Source of EPA", because manufacturers are only allowed to list the quantity with the full name.

Therefore, look for the full names of EPA aka Eicosapentaenoic Acid, DHA aka Docosahexaenoic Acid, and ALA aka Alpha-Linolenic Acid, along with stating where the source is from:
fish, algal oils, flaxseed, or walnuts
The serving amounts should be also listed by saying the amount of "mg" per serving or "Contains flaxseed for Omega-3s."

When the label states that the Eggs are "Enhanced with Omega-3 fatty acids" that means the chickens were given feed with ingredients such as flax seeds or fish oils to increase the omega-3 levels in their eggs. Additional examples from an orange juice carton will state: "Contains 250 mg EPA & DHA" and from a cereal box: "Rich in Omega-3s from Flaxseed" will be stated on the box.

Bill Lauto, at GoingTrueGreen.com
Environmental Scientist
International Sustainability and Energy Consultant
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Food Labels Decoded, Hormones

12/27/2025

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Hormones

What is the story with our Food, A.K.A. Chicken and Eggs?
What is the truth about Chickens and Eggs? Hormones and Our Food?

No hormones? This label is misleading and strictly used as a marketing gimmick. Cutting straight to the facts - FDA prohibits the use of hormones in chickens. All eggs and all chicken products are always hormone-free.

A "no hormone" label means no synthetic hormones were added, however the term is misleading. Animals produce hormones naturally! Additionally, the label is redundant because adding hormones are illegal and not allowed by the U.S. Government. For beef, it signifies no growth hormones were used, but doesn't cover using antibiotics!

Better labels to look for are Organic, Certified Humane, and Grassfed. Also note that the term and/or fake label stating, "No Hormones" isn't approved by the USDA, because all animals naturally produce hormones.

Merry Christmas everyone and a Blessed New Year !

Bill Lauto, at GoingTrueGreen.com
Environmental Scientist
International Sustainability and Energy Consultant
Contribute your comments!

This Christmas Read About A Burial Cloth Truth That Started With Swaddling Clothes On The First Christmas And Began Anew On The First Easter !

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Food Labels Decoded, No Antibiotics or Raised Without

11/10/2025

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No Antibiotics Administered or Raised without Antibiotics

This one is a true enigma. These terms mean that the animal was NEVER treated with antibiotics or fed antibiotics. This explanation of the terms is accepted by the USDA, and the USDA is responsible for the accuracy of these claims. However the verification process is non existing. The additional term know as “Antibiotic-Free” has been labeled by the USDA as impossible to approve.

The label with the words "NO ANTIBIOTICS" for chickens means that the chickens were raised without being given antibiotics for health maintenance, disease prevention or treatment of a disease. However, in the Agriculture industry, they use antibiotics to help decrease the death rate for the livestock. When this is done, the amount administered is low and is strictly regulated.

Between 2008 to 2012, sales of food products raised without antibiotics increased by 25%. Perhaps this occurred because the overuse of antibiotics in animals raised for food is blamed for the increase in resistant bacteria or superbugs. If or when superbugs are passed on to humans, the illness can be very serious.

Perhaps a good recommendation for the shopper is to just look for the Organic label. All meats with this label are raised without antibiotics and there is an excellent verification process in place.

Bill Lauto, at GoingTrueGreen.com
Environmental Scientist
International Sustainability and Energy Consultant
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It's a Trick, Not a Treat!

10/27/2025

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Our kids today are not eating the food we use to eat when young!

When young, I receive a far higher nourishment level from everyday foods than kids do today.

We are kidding ourselves if we think otherwise and this is a large expense on our kids health. We are being tricked, because the bottom line today is the fact that many products sold are tricking us. Here are just a few examples:

ICECREAM

THEN
Milk, Honey, Organic Vanilla Beans, Egg Yolks, Cardboard Container lined with wax or on a wooden stick

NOW
Mostly Plastic Cups and Plastic Containers, Skim Milk, Cream, Buttermilk, Sugar, Whey, Specs of Vanilla Bean, Corn Syrup, Monoglycerides, Diglycerides, Carbobean Gum, Guar Gum, Carrageenan, Cellulose Gel and Gum, Less Than 1% of natural flavors

American Cheese

THEN
Milk, Salt, Enzymes, Cardboard Box
(We cut each slice from solid bar)

NOW
Plastic Wrappers, Cheddar Cheese a Cultured Milk, Salt, Enzymes, Skim Milk, Milk Fat, Milk Protein, Concentrate, Whey, Calcium Phosphate, Sodium Phosphate, Lactic Acid, Cheese Cultured, Annatto a color, Natamycin a natural Mold Inhibitor, Oleoresin Paprika for color

Peanut Butter

THEN
Glass Container, Peanuts, Salt, Sugar

NOW
Plastic Container, Roasted Peanuts, Sugar, Hydrogen Generated Vegetable Oil, Oils, Cotton Seed, Soy, and Grape Seed Oil

Tomato Ketchup

THEN
Tomatoes, Vinegar, Sugar, Salt, Spices Glass Bottle

NOW
Plastic Bottle, Tomato Concentrate, High Fructose Corn Syrup, Corn Syrup, Distilled Vinegar, Salt, Onion Powder, Natural Flavors

Gatorade

THEN
Glass Container, Water, Sugar, Potassium, Lemon Juice

NOW
Plastic Container, Water, Sugar, Dextrose, Citric Acid, Natural and Artificial Flavor, Salt, Sodium, Citrate, Mono Potassium, Phosphate, Modified Food, Starch, Glycerol Esther of Resin, Blue Number One

Bread

THEN
Wheat, Flour, Water, Sugar, Yeast, Salt, Milk, Butter, Paper Bag or Wrap

NOW
Plastic Bag, Unbleached Enriched Flour, Wheat, Flour, Malted Barley Flower, Niacin, Reduced Iron, Thiamin, Mononitrate, Riboflavin, Folic Acid, Water, Sugar, Yeast, Calcium Carbonate, Wheat, Gluten, Soybean, Oil, Dough Conditioners, Sodium Stearoyl Lactyiate, Calcium Stearoyl Lactyiate, Monoglycerides, Distilled Monoglycerides, Calcium Peroxide, Calcium Iodate, DATEM, Enzymes, Vinegar, Citric Acid, Vitamin D3, Soy Lecihin, Calcium Propionate to prevent spoilage

No Images Necessary. Just read...
Your Honor, I rest my case.

Bill Lauto, at GoingTrueGreen.com
Environmental Scientist
International Sustainability and Energy Consultant
Contribute your comments!

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Food Labels Decoded, Natural / All Natural / 100% Natural

10/8/2025

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Natural / All Natural / 100% Natural

When the label says this product is:

100% Natural,
Natural,
or
All Natural...

What does that mean?

The label “Natural” presents itself as "all encompassing" for foods that do not have man-made preservatives, colors, taste enhancers, artificial sweeteners, additives, antibiotics, growth hormones, hydrogenated oils, stabilizers, emulsifiers, nor are they processed to any great extent.

All of these will qualify for the label under FDA. However, there does not appear to be a law that all of the above qualifying elements listed above must be present. Except for poultry and meats, there are no government controls overseeing or allowing the use of these three labels by companies. The only known requirement for companies using 100% Natural, Natural or All Natural, is that they should explain why the label is applied. Such as “No Growth Hormones.”

Natural for Chickens: The USDA states that “egg products labeled as ‘natural’ must be minimally processed and contain no artificial ingredients, or added color.” Beyond that, this label does not indicate anything about the chicken's diet, living conditions, or antibiotic use.

Bill Lauto, at GoingTrueGreen.com
Environmental Scientist
International Sustainability and Energy Consultant
Contribute your comments!

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Food Labels Decoded, Marine Stewardship

7/27/2025

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Marine Stewardship Council (MSC):

Looking for the Marine Stewardship Council’s (MSC) label and more details in order to understand what this label is all about. The best place to start is their Website. The LINK is embedded in the name above.

Over 35 countries world wide have approximately one thousand products with the MSC label. The Marine Stewardship Council uses an independent third-party to verify all certification. Seafood such as salmon and cod are part of the products supplied by almost 100 fisheries involved with the MSC label.

The MSC label offers insurance that the marine products supplied are from a process that maintain the marine environment’s biodiversity, productivity and ecology. Additionally, the catch yield must be reconcilable with long-term sustainability.

Bill Lauto, at GoingTrueGreen.com
Environmental Scientist
International Sustainability and Energy Consultant
Contribute your comments!

Available in Hardcover, paperback, and digital. This new edition has all the scientific data, history, and most probable events for Jesus' burial cloth, known as the Shroud of Turin.
The fascinating adventure starts with clicking the image Link above to walk with the apostles in the streets of Jerusalem, cry for their pain, and rejoice with them.

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Food Labels Decoded, Humanely-Raised

6/5/2025

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Humanely-Raised:

Certified Humane, The Humane Society, Humane, Food Labels, Food Labels Decoded, Raised and Handled, food supply, going true green, going green, GTG blog

A generic “humanely raised” label doesn’t mean anything, but there are third-party organizations that will put their humane seal on eggs like
Certified Humane
OR
The Humane Society

To find out if those organizations definition of humane meets your own definition of humane, read up on each organization’s standards on their websites.

Bill Lauto, at GoingTrueGreen.com
Environmental Scientist
International Sustainability and Energy Consultant
Contribute your comments!

Upper Room, Jesus, Jesus Christ, BBV Publishing, L.J. Williams, Shroud, Shroud of Turin

FOR TWO THOUSAND YEARS WE HAVE HAD THE BURIAL CLOTHS THAT COVERED JESUS' BODY. WHAT STORY DOES ALL THE EVIDENCE TELL?

Authenticity of the Holy Shroud of Turin can no longer be disputed. Jesus' linen Sindone not only gives us a photograph of Jesus' face, but His whole body front and back, fully crucified. An image made 2,000 years ago for us to see today with our modern technology. An image made a nanosecond before the resurrection. There are no viable theories left or evidence to present a possibility of forgery.

Available in Hardcover, paperback, and digital this weekend. This new edition has all the scientific data, history, and most probable events for Jesus' burial cloth, known as the Shroud of Turin.
The fascinating adventure starts with clicking the image Link above to walk with the apostles in the streets of Jerusalem, cry for their pain, and rejoice with them.

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Buying Eggs Ethically, Is That Possible?

5/27/2025

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Comparing the difference between factory farm free-range eggs and the backyard chicken version of free-range is big. Bigger than big, it is Hugh.

Many would say that millions of animals are enduring miserable lives so humans can consume chicken, eggs, milk, and meat. Also intensive farming can support the avian (bird) flu. Keeping birds in tight quarters, their own waste, and eating antibiotic-laced food, along with insects, can add to avian flu outbreaks.

If you are fortunate enough to be able to buy eggs from a small farm or someone raising chickens the old way, then do so. All the labels stamped on an egg carton will never tell the complete story. Best to see the complete situation with your own eyes when buying from a small local farm. Also if possible, see what your town codes allow. You may be able to have your own chickens and even a goat!

Bill Lauto, at GoingTrueGreen.com
Environmental Scientist
International Sustainability and Energy Consultant
Contribute your comments!

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No Hormones or rBGH Labels

3/8/2025

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Hormone and rBGH Free... Really?

rBGH, hormones, bovine growth hormone, Zilmax, USDA, FDA, certified organic, rBGH-Free, Hormone-Free

Label on Milk Container

What is rBGH? A growth hormone, a recombinant bovine growth hormone. Do you want this in your dairy products? Do you want hormones in your meat?

Zilmax is a hormone that will help a cow gain weight in a short period of time so when the cow's life is ended to produce meat there would be extra meat to sell. AKA: More Profits

There are labels on food products that state Hormone-Free Meat and rBGH-Free Dairy, but here comes the BIG BUT...the labels are just an implication that no hormones were used at anytime during the life of the animal, HOWEVER, the USDA has ALSO stated that there is no way the statement can be VERIFIED by anyone! THEREFORE, the USDA allows for the following statement to be used: No Hormones Administered.

Now the USDA will hold manufacturers accountable. How can they do this when the USDA states that claims can't be verified? Nevertheless, foods that have USDA Certified Organic labels actually means "no artificial hormones are capable of being inspected or approved". AND things get worse... FDA has declared that the hormone Zilmax is safe. So why did a company (Tyson Foods) voluntarily stop using Zilmax in their cattle feed? What was the reason? Concerns of future legal action dealing with health issues or to cut cost and increase profits? Additionally, our government states that there is no difference between products having rBGH and not having rBGH. Then why use this artificial hormone?

Ground Beef, organic, rBGH, hormones, bovine growth hormone, Zilmax, USDA, FDA, certified organic, rBGH-Free, Hormone-Free

Label on Ground Beef

One more very interesting thing is that the FDA states any milk claiming "No Hormones" or "Hormone-Free" is incapable of being true because naturally occurring hormones are always found in milk. So adding all of the above into the equation, along with these labels, we have no clear understanding of what may be considered natural or what may have added unnatural hormones. In the end, all this for these labels is a waste of tax payers money and a lie through the process of omission.

Bill Lauto, at GoingTrueGreen.com
Environmental Scientist
International Sustainability and Energy Consultant
Contribute your comments!