In a nutshell, "organic" refers to foods produced without synthetic measures, such as synthetic fertilizers, pesticides, hormones, and antibiotics.

Organic methods also exclude genetically modified organisms (GMOs), bioengineering, and ionizing radiation (which is used to cause desired genetic mutations).

Food manufacturers love to use it as a selling point, often implying that it denotes a healthier choice (not to mention carrying a heftier price tag).

However, a small number of synthetic products are permitted for use in organic farming like plastic mulch, but these exceptions are vetted for nutritional and environmental impact.