The United States in changing what its definition of organic means, in terms of both meats and milk. This comes after a long debate in which the Agricultural Department has narrowed its definition. This new definition states that all livestock, for it to be considered organic, will have to spend at least four months of its year using pastures to graze. The previous definition only stated that animals would have to only have access to these pastures; it never specified anything about its use of these pastures.

The new definition also states that feed from grazing must account for 30 percent of a livestock’s food source. It has taken years for regulations to be crafted, which will now offer clarity to everyone involved in organic foods.

Consumers’ using organic foods has increased by large amounts in the previous 20 years, as people have started to look for healthier food trends. This market is now worth, in 2008, over $24 billion. Since this is a rapidly expanding market everyone is trying to determine what actually is organic since, previously, its definition has been very vague.