For the first time, the U.S. government is telling farmers and food producers what makes a product organic.

"These are the strictest, most comprehensive organic standards in the world," U.S. Agriculture Secretary Dan Glickman said in announcing the final rule, which will be published in the Federal Register on December 21, 2000. The rule becomes effective 60 days from publication, and growers and livestock producers have a maximum of 18 months to comply if they want to market their products as organic.

Growth hormones in cows, pesticides on produce and antibiotics in poultry -- these are among the reasons many Americans are turning to organic foods. In fact, sales of organics have surged more than 20 percent each year in the past decade. According to the Food Marketing Institute, more than half of Americans now buy organic food at least once a month.

But whether organic chicken or pesticide-free lettuce represent "healthier" alternatives has long been a subject for debate.