Decoding Food Labels: What Do ‘Organic,’ ‘Natural,’ and ‘Regenerative’ Really Mean?
Walk into any supermarket aisle today, and you’ll see a dizzying array of labels: natural, organic, regenerative, and more. While these words might sound similar, they carry very different meanings—especially when it comes to how our food is grown, what impact it has on the planet, and how healthy it really is.
At Urban Farms Co., we believe that true transparency begins with education and understanding the truth behind these terms. So, let’s take a closer look at what these labels really mean and why the future of food goes beyond just certification.
Natural: A Label without Standards
The word natural has a certain comforting ring to it. It brings to mind images of unprocessed food, clean ingredients, and farm-fresh produce. But here’s the reality—when it comes to food, natural doesn’t mean what most people think it does.
In most countries, including India, the term natural is not legally defined or regulated. There’s no certification, no required proof, and no consistent guidelines on what makes a product “natural.” Brands are free to use the word even if the food was grown with chemical fertilizers, sprayed with synthetic pesticides, or heavily processed after harvest.
At best, “natural” might suggest that the food hasn’t been overly refined or doesn’t contain added colour or preservatives. But it says nothing about how the ingredients of the food were cultivated or what kind of plant inputs were used on them. In fact many products labeled natural still contain genetically modified ingredients or chemical residues. Without oversight or enforcement, it becomes a label of convenience—used more to influence perception than to guarantee real transparency.
Bottom line? “Natural” is a marketing word, not a farming standard. It may sound wholesome, but it doesn’t tell you anything about how the food was grown—or whether it’s truly good for your body or the planet.
Organic: Certified but Limited
Unlike the vague term natural, “organic” does come with a set of defined standards—and that’s a good thing. Organic food is regulated and certified, which gives consumers a certain level of trust. If you see the organic label, it typically means the food was grown using organic inputs but here’s where things get a bit more nuanced. While organic farming reduces the presence of harmful chemicals, it still allows certain levels of synthetic pesticides and fertilizers when the crop is being cultivated.
Organic is certainly a step in the right direction—especially when compared to chemical-intensive farming. But it’s not the full solution. Organic farming avoids harmful chemicals, but without going further, it may not guarantee food that is truly safe and rich in nutrients. Also, there’s no evidence that organic food is safer, healthier, more nutritious, or better at improving your health compared to conventionally grown food.
Regenerative: Beyond Input Control to Ecosystem Healing
Now let’s talk about “regenerative”—a term that’s rapidly gaining traction, not just among farmers, but also among climate scientists, nutritionists, and global food leaders. And for a good reason. On a food label, “regenerative” doesn’t just mean it was grown without chemicals. It means it was cultivated using principles of regenerative agriculture. Unlike “natural” or even “organic,” regenerative is not just about what’s avoided—it’s about what’s rebuilt.
At its core, regenerative agriculture is a science-based approach that emphasizes plant nutrition through biological pathways. This kind of an agricultural practice focuses on improving the health of soil, ecosystems, and farming communities. Practices like cover cropping, crop rotation, intercropping, companion cropping, and natural composting work in harmony to restore soil biology. And when soil is alive and thriving, the plant it grows becomes naturally healthier and stronger to produce food that is more nutrient-dense—richer in essential minerals, antioxidants, and beneficial compounds that directly impacts human health. Thus, regenerative agriculture is not just a label—it’s a promise of renewal - renewal of soil, renewal of the environment, renewal of nutrition, and renewal of our relationship with the food we eat.
Regenerative at Urban Farms Co.: A Quiet Revolution
As pioneers of regenerative agriculture in India, for us, regenerative isn’t a buzzword—it’s our everyday practice. On our farms, we grow crops in living, microbe-rich soil without a single drop of any chemical. We focus on rebuilding soil microbiology, supporting biodiversity, and creating natural nutrient cycles that keep the land thriving season after season. Every decision we make—from compost application to crop selection—is guided by what the soil tells us. We track real improvements in soil carbon, water retention, and crop resilience—not just yields—and adapt our methods to suit local conditions and ecosystems.
The result? Crops that are deeply nourishing, bursting with natural flavour, and grown in a way that heals the land and the environment rather than exhausting natural resources. Because for us, it’s not only about what goes into the food—it’s about what goes back into the soil.
We believe food labels should do more than market—they should measure change. And we envision a future where regenerative isn't the exception. It's the new standard.
Come Visit Us — See Where Real Nutritious Food Begins
Curious about what regenerative farming really looks like? We’d love to show you. At Urban Farms Co., our farms are open to anyone who wants to experience how food is grown—naturally, ethically, and with deep care for the soil. Come walk through our fields, learn how we prepare our in-house compost and bio-inputs, and see how we bring soil back to life.
You’ll get to pluck fresh vegetables straight from the earth, taste them right there in the field, and feel the difference for yourself—because food grown in living soil doesn’t just nourish better, it tastes better too.
Whether you're a conscious consumer, a food lover, or just someone who wants to reconnect with where your food comes from, you are welcome. Just fill out the contact form on our website or drop us a DM on Instagram and we would gladly help you find the nearest UFCo. farm. We look forward to welcoming you to our fields!
Final Thoughts: Rethinking the Labels
