# Regenerative Organic vs USDA Organic: What's Better?

> Regenerative Organic Certified adds soil health, animal welfare and fair labor to USDA Organic standards.
- Title: Regenerative Organic vs USDA Organic: What's Better?
- Summary: Regenerative Organic Certified adds soil health, animal welfare and fair labor to USDA Organic standards. Regenerative Organic Certified is stricter than…
- Keywords: regenerative organic certified, usda organic, soil health, animal welfare, fair labor, food certification, organic farming, regenerative agriculture, food labels, sustainable farming, Regenerative, Organic
- Source: Woman's World — https://womansworld.com/food-recipes/food-news/what-is-regenerative-organic-how-it-stacks-up-to-usda-organic
- Author: Ryan Brennan
- Published: 2026-10-16T14:00:09+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: regenerative organic certified, usda organic, soil health, animal welfare, fair labor, food certification, organic farming, regenerative agriculture, food labels, sustainable farming
## What is Regenerative Organic Certified?
Regenerative Organic Certified builds on USDA Organic standards with added requirements for soil health, animal welfare and fair labor.

> Regenerative Organic Certified, or ROC, is a food and farming label that builds on organic standards.
## USDA Organic Requirements
USDA Organic prohibits GMOs, sewage sludge, irradiation, and most synthetic pesticides and fertilizers. Organic livestock must eat organic feed and cannot receive antibiotics or growth hormones.

> USDA Organic prohibits GMOs, sewage sludge, irradiation, and most synthetic pesticides and fertilizers.
## Three Pillars of Regenerative Agriculture
Regenerative Organic focuses on soil health through cover crops and reduced tillage, animal welfare with pasture access, and fair labor practices for farmers and workers.

> The ROC framework is built around soil health, animal welfare and social fairness.
## ROC vs USDA Organic
ROC adds three layers that organic doesn’t fully address: soil health, animal welfare and fair treatment of farmers and workers.

> ROC adds three layers that organic doesn’t fully address: soil health, animal welfare and fair treatment of farmers and workers.
## Does ROC Replace USDA Organic?
No. ROC is meant to raise the bar, not swap out organic. It builds on USDA Organic standards without replacing them.

> ROC is not intended to replace USDA Organic but to set a new standard for what’s possible in our food and farming systems.
## ROC Program Scale
As of 2026, ROC spans 20 million acres, 530 certified farms, 61,000 smallholder farmers, 350 licensed brands and 45 countries.

> As of 2026, the program spans more than 20 million acres, 530 certified farms and ranches, 61,000 smallholder farmers, 350 licensed brands and 45 countries.
## ROC Product Popularity
ROC product sales grew 21% and shoppers buying them increased 30% from the previous year.

> ROC product sales climbed 21% from the previous year, and the number of shoppers buying them grew 30%.
## Where to Buy ROC Products
Whole Foods, Sprouts, Target, Walmart and other chains stock ROC items, with 464 approved products by end of 2025.

> Whole Foods reports approving 464 certified regenerative products by the end of 2025.
## Key takeaway

Regenerative Organic Certified is stricter than USDA Organic with three added requirements: soil health, animal welfare, and fair treatment of workers.