Beyond Juice is a popular juice brand that offers a variety of fruit and vegetable juice products. Their juices are widely available in grocery stores and markets across the United States. With the rising popularity of organic foods and beverages, many consumers are wondering if Beyond Juice products are organic or not. This article will explore the organic status of Beyond Juice and look at the ingredients, manufacturing process, and labeling to determine if their juices can be considered organic.
What Does Organic Mean?
Organic Regulations in the United States
For a product to be certified organic in the United States, it must meet certain standards set forth by the USDA National Organic Program. The organic certification verifies that products are produced without the use of synthetic pesticides, fertilizers, genetically modified organisms (GMOs), sewage sludge, ionizing radiation or other prohibited substances. There are four labeling categories for organic products:
- 100% Organic – Contains only organic ingredients
- Organic – Contains at least 95% organic ingredients
- Made With Organic – Contains 70-94% organic ingredients
- Specific organic ingredients may be listed
In order for a product to display the USDA Organic seal, it must contain at least 95% organic ingredients. Products with less than 95% organic ingredients may only list specific ingredients that are organic rather than make an organic claim on the whole product.
Organic vs. Natural
It’s important to understand the difference between organic and natural labels. “Natural” is not a regulated term, so any product can make this claim regardless of ingredients or production methods. Organic certification involves third-party verification and auditing to ensure organic standards are met. Simply being natural does not imply that international organic standards were followed.
Are Beyond Juice Products Organic?
Now that we understand what constitutes an organic product, we can analyze Beyond Juice and see if their juices meet the criteria. Here are some key factors to consider:
Ingredients
A review of Beyond Juice ingredients shows that they primarily use conventional, non-organic fruits and vegetables in their juice blends. The ingredient lists do not mention organic ingredients. While the fruits and veggies are natural, simply being natural does not designate organic status.
Manufacturing Process
Beyond Juice does not make any claims about using organic farming methods or avoiding prohibited substances in their juice production process. There is no evidence that Beyond Juice is audited or certified by a USDA-accredited agency to verify compliance with national organic standards. The lack of organic oversight in their supply chain means Beyond Juice cannot be considered organic.
Labeling
Beyond Juice products do not bear the USDA Organic seal or make any organic labeling claims. There are no statements about being “100% Organic”, “Organic” or “Made with Organic Ingredients”. The absence of organic promises on the label further indicates the juices are produced conventionally rather than organically.
Why Beyond Juice is Not Organic
Given the above analysis, there is no evidence to suggest that Beyond Juice abides by organic regulations. Several factors make it clear these juices are not organic:
- No organic ingredients listed
- No verified organic farming practices
- No third-party organic certification
- No organic label claims
Beyond Juice juices would need to contain 95% or more organic ingredients and eliminate any prohibited substances to potentially qualify for USDA organic certification. Since their ingredient sourcing and production methods do not currently meet organic standards, Beyond Juice cannot be considered an organic brand.
How Their Juices Compare to Organic
Although Beyond Juice is not organic, it may still appeal to health-conscious consumers in different ways. Here is how their conventional juices compare to organic juice options:
Pesticides
Since Beyond Juice uses conventionally grown ingredients, there is a chance the fruits and vegetables were treated with synthetic pesticides during farming. Organic produce is grown without toxic pesticides to keep chemicals off of fruits and veggies.
Nutrition
Research shows little nutritional difference between conventional and organic produce. Both Beyond Juice and organic juices offer nutrients from natural ingredients. However, organic advocates believe organic is still healthier long-term by avoiding pesticide residues.
Taste
The taste of Beyond Juice is unlikely to differ noticeably from organic juices. Conventional farming versus organic methods have minimal impact on flavor. Those seeking a natural, fruit-forward taste can find appeal in both Beyond Juice and organic juice options.
Price
Organic ingredients tend to cost more, so organic juices are typically priced at a premium over conventional juices. Beyond Juice products are more competitively priced than organic since they avoid the costs of organic farming practices.
Environmental Impact
Organic farming aims to be more environmentally sustainable by eliminating synthetic chemicals and encouraging biodiversity. While not certified organic, Beyond Juice does use non-GMO ingredients and natural flavors. The environmental impact is lower than juice with artificial additives but higher than USDA certified organic juice.
| Factor | Beyond Juice | Organic Juice |
|---|---|---|
| Pesticides | May be present from conventional farming | Grown without synthetic pesticides |
| Nutrition | Comparable nutrients to organic | No nutritional advantage over conventional |
| Taste | Fruit-forward natural flavor | No distinct taste advantage |
| Price | Competitively priced | Priced at a premium |
| Environment | Some eco impact from conventional growing | Grown sustainably for less environmental impact |
Certified Organic Juice Brands
For consumers specifically seeking a certified organic juice experience, there are reputable brands that adhere to USDA organic regulations:
Lakewood Organic Pure Juices
Lakewood offers a line of USDA certified organic pure fruit and vegetable juices. Their juices feature ingredients like oranges, carrots, beets, celery, lemons, apples and more in organic form. Lakewood has been producing organic juices since 1978.
Organicville
This brand offers concentrated organic juices from superfoods like acai, pomegranate, blueberry, mangosteen and goji. Their organic juice concentrates retain nutrients while offering convenience and customization.
Uncle Matt’s Organic
Uncle Matt’s provides not-from-concentrate organic orange juice and juice blends. They are one of the largest organic orange juice brands in the country. Their juices are certified USDA Organic and Non-GMO Project Verified.
Suja
Suja creates cold-pressured organic juices featuring unusual ingredients like cilantro, broccoli and turmeric. They focus on organic, non-GMO, vegan, kosher and raw juice blends.
Is Beyond Juice Healthy Despite Not Being Organic?
While Beyond Juice does not meet the criteria for certified organic status, it can still offer some health benefits:
Whole Food Ingredients
The juices feature simple blends of natural fruits and vegetables rather than artificial flavors or additives. Getting more whole foods in your diet is beneficial.
Vitamin Rich
Fruits like oranges and vegetables like kale provide vitamins, minerals and antioxidants when juiced. These nutrients can support immune function, energy levels, heart health and more.
Low in Sugar
Some juices add extra sugars, but Beyond Juice allows the natural sugar in the fruits and veggies to sweeten the juice. This results in a lighter calorie and sugar profile.
Vegetable Forward
Many Beyond Juice blends emphasize veggies over fruits. The high vegetable content provides important nutrients without excess fruit sugars.
No Artificial Ingredients
Beyond Juice uses non-GMO ingredients and natural flavors. There are no artificial colors, preservatives, sweeteners or other additives.
So while not certified organic, Beyond Juice offers wholesome ingredients and nutrition in their juice. There are pros and cons to conventionally grown produce, but natural juices still pack more nutrients than artificial beverages. Beyond Juice can still fit into a healthy lifestyle, especially if organic options are unavailable or unaffordable. Those concerned about pesticides may choose to peel conventional fruits and vegetables or wash them in a baking soda solution before juicing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Beyond Juice made with all natural ingredients?
Yes, Beyond Juice contains all natural fruit and vegetable ingredients. They do not use artificial flavors, colors, preservatives or other additives. Their juices are non-GMO as well.
Does Beyond Juice use high fructose corn syrup?
No, Beyond Juice does not contain any added sugars including high fructose corn syrup. The juices get their sweetness from the natural sugars in the fruits and vegetables.
What is the difference between Beyond Juice and actual organic juice?
Organic juice must meet USDA organic regulations, which Beyond Juice does not currently do. Organic juice comes from certified organic farming methods that avoid synthetic pesticides and chemicals. Beyond Juice uses conventionally grown fruits and vegetables.
Is Beyond Juice non-GMO?
Yes, Beyond Juice verifies that their ingredients are non-GMO. So while not organic, the juices aim to avoid genetically modified organisms.
Does Beyond Juice have preservatives in it?
No, Beyond Juice does not contain any preservatives. They use High Pressure Pasteurization to help maintain freshness rather than preservatives.
The Verdict on Beyond Juice
After thoroughly examining the ingredients, process, labeling and company practices, it is clear that Beyond Juice does not currently meet the requirements to be certified organic. They use conventionally grown fruits and vegetables and have not taken steps for organic certification and USDA oversight. So by the legal definition, Beyond Juice is not considered organic.
However, this does not automatically make their juices unhealthy. Beyond Juice still offers wholesome ingredients, vital nutrients, and a natural taste without artificial additives. Those seeking an affordable, mainstream juice brand may find Beyond Juice appealing. But for consumers who strictly want juices made with certified organic practices, they will need to look for juices with the USDA organic label from reputable brands committed to organic standards.
Beyond Juice occupies an interesting middle ground between organic and artificial beverages. While not certified organic, their ingredients are natural and non-GMO. So Beyond Juice can still fit into a healthy lifestyle for those less concerned about organic status. But stick to USDA certified organic juices if you require the assurance of independently verified organic farming practices.
Either way, be sure to incorporate a rainbow of fruit and vegetable juices as part of a nutritious diet. Juice offers unique nutrition and plant compounds thanks to minimal processing. Yet balance is key – combine whole foods with the occasional juice for comprehensive healthy eating. Consider mixing your own juices at home too for total control over the ingredients. Drink your juices fresh whenever possible to obtain the maximum benefits.
With the right context and perspective, both conventional and organic juices can fuel your body with great natural nourishment. Hopefully this article gave you the clarity needed to understand where Beyond Juice stands on the spectrum of organic and make an informed choice for your juice needs. Cheers to wholesome nutrition and juices overflowing with flavor and vitality!
