Eating organic food is becoming more common, and with this comes the hunt for “green” food products at the grocery store. Eating green is now a buzzword for consumers looking to live a healthier lifestyle. Using the label “organic” is an attractive incentive for shoppers, especially if it’s offered at a good price. Because of the popularity of organic food, it can be easy for dishonest companies to trick shoppers.

Organic is not just a word that can be used on packaging without proof. It’s important to understand what organic really means and how it’s regulated. United States federal law requires companies to meet the USDA standards of how foods are processed, crops are farmed, farm animals are raised, and which types of ingredients are used in the final product for it to be labeled organic.

When shopping, the Federal Trade Commission recommends looking for specific information on packages and products that explains why the product is being advertised as green. If a product doesn’t include details about what exactly the term means, consider choosing another one.

Use BBB’s tips to shop green safely:

• Get to know green marketing terms. Many green marketing terms, such as "pesticide-free," "non-toxic," "free of," "biodegradable," and "made with renewable energy," are unregulated and, therefore, not very meaningful.

• Look for legitimate seals. Third-party organizations, like Forest Stewardship Council, TransFair USA, and Rainforest Alliance, certify that specific types of products are grown or produced in an eco-friendly manner. For example, for meat and milk from cows who have been 100 percent free-range grass grazers their whole life, you should look for products with the American Grassfed seal.

• Minimize your intake of processed foods. World Wildlife Fund reminds consumers that because of emissions created and nutritional quality lost in the process, “the more processed a food is, the greater its environmental impact.” So cut back on processed foods where you can, and up your intake of fresher/minimally processed foods to reduce your impact on the environment.

• Look for environmentally friendly packaging. How food is grown or produced isn’t the only concern of environmentally conscious shoppers. Product packaging also matters. Products labeled as biodegradable or compostable should provide specific information, such as how quickly packaging will biodegrade in a landfill. Alternatively, choosing products with recyclable packing can reduce the amount of waste that ends up in a landfill in the first place. However, keep in mind that certain kinds of packaging may not be recyclable in your area.

• Use reusable grocery bags. Instead of loading your purchases into plastic grocery bags you’ll simply throw away when you get home, consider using reusable grocery bags to reduce your impact on the environment. Alternatively, some grocery stores offer consumers the option to bring used plastic bags back to the store for recycling.

For more tips on green shopping tips, visit BBB.org. If you spot a scam, whether you have lost money or not, report it to BBB’s Scam Tracker at BBB.org/ScamTracker and the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. Your story can help other consumers avoid similar scams.

Rick Walz is the President and CEO of the Better Business Bureau serving Northern Indiana, which serves 23 counties. Contact the BBB at 800-552-4631 or visit www.bbb.org. 

This article originally appeared on South Bend Tribune: Consumer Advocate: How to become a savvy green shopper