Food labelling is one of the most important things to customers. Australia is set to introduce new, stricter and more transparent food labelling laws in 2016, signifying the shift in importance and customer mindset about what we read on a product package. With so many food products labelled ‘organic’ or ‘Certified Organic’ confusion can arise as to what the difference really is. We have broken it down to help explain what it means for a food to be organic and which source is more reliable to ensure the food is actually organic.
For a food product to be ‘organic’, it must be grown without the use of pesticides, synthetic fertilizers, sewage sludge, genetically modified organisms or ionizing radiation. The same approach applies for animals that produce meat, poultry, eggs and dairy products. They must be free from antibiotics or growth hormones.
‘Certified Organic’ is a registered trademark which has its own strict standard that has been approved by the government. It means the food or 100% of the ingredients in the product are organic. Australian Certified Organic routinely and randomly audits and tests businesses and products that use this law. The strict standards of ‘Certified Organic’ provides a quality guarantee that the products are 100% organic. This ensures trust and reliability that what you are buying matches the product quality that it is claiming to be.
To label a food ‘organic’, there is no certification or standards required. This means foods can feature the word ‘organic’ in their title and not contain a single organic ingredient. To put it simply, if you want to ensure your food is organic, Certified Organic is the only way to go, it is a guarantee that the food is 100% organic. If a company or product has been labelled with Certified Organic it means it has voluntarily opted to adhere to these stricter requirements to bring you a truly organic product. This means the company must source its product from farmers who meet these conditions. A product that meets the Certified Organic standard will feature the Australian Certified Organic logo (as below).
Morlife has a variety of Australian Certified Organic products across its product categories. Some popular Certified Organic accredited products include ourFreeze Dried Acai Powder,Beetroot Powder, seeds and grains includingChia Seeds,Quinoa Grains andFlakes, and boosting powders such asMaca,Spirulina, andWheatgrass.
FAQs
The strict standards of 'Certified Organic' provides a quality guarantee that the products are 100% organic. This ensures trust and reliability that what you are buying matches the product quality that it is claiming to be. To label a food 'organic', there is no certification or standards required.
Is there a difference between 100% organic and organic? ›
Products labeled as “100% organic” must contain only organically produced ingredients and processing aids, excluding water and salt. No other ingredients or additives are permitted. Products labeled “organic” must contain at least 95% organically produced ingredients (excluding water and salt).
What is the difference between pure and certified organic? ›
Certified Organic means the plants used are grown without toxic pesticides, herbicides, or chemical fertilizers. It's regulated by the USDA. Pure means plants were used. The plants can be grown in any condition with chemicals and pesticides and still be considered pure.
Can you use the word organic if not certified? ›
Overall, if you make a product and want to claim that it or its ingredients are organic, your final product probably needs to be certified. If you are not certified, you must not make any organic claim on the principal display panel or use the USDA organic seal anywhere on the package*.
Is organic really worth the extra money? ›
If you want the advantages of produce that is free of pesticides and has less antibiotic exposure, then it could be worth the additional expense. However, if you are on a budget, it may be wiser to purchase conventionally grown fruits and vegetables instead of going without entirely.
Is there really a difference between organic and non organic? ›
Organic foods have been shown to have lower levels of toxic metabolites, including heavy metals such as cadmium, and synthetic fertilizer and pesticide residues [10,17]. Consumption of organic foods may also reduce exposure to antibiotic-resistant bacteria [19].
Is USDA organic really organic? ›
While there are many marketing claims that add value to foods, consumers can be assured that USDA organic products are verified organic at all steps between the farm and the store.
Does certified organic mean no pesticides? ›
The bottom line is both conventional and organically grown food has pesticide residues on them when they come home from the grocery store or farmers market. What people often think when they purchase and consume organic food is that it is really pesticide-free. That is not the case.
Is certified organic worth it? ›
Research shows that organic farming practices can:
Improve water quality. Conserve energy. Increase biodiversity. Contribute to soil health.
What is the truth about certified organic? ›
Organic certification means that farmers and businesses have met strict standards for the growing, processing, and handling of their products. If you see the USDA organic seal, the product is certified organic and has 95 percent or more organic content. Organic production emphasizes natural processes and ingredients.
All organic food must show the code number of the approved control body that you are registered with, such as GB-ORG-2, GB-ORG-4, etc.
Can you trust the USDA organic label? ›
USDA regularly audits certifiers to make sure that they are correctly inspecting farms and upholding the integrity of the organic label. To become certified organic, operations go through a rigorous process to show that their practices follow the organic standards.
What is the USDA organic controversy? ›
U.S. organic farmers complain that allowing companies to market these products as “organic” creates an unlevel playing field and undermines trust in the label. Key updates to the rules include requiring certification of more of the businesses, such as brokers and traders, at critical links in organic supply chains.
What percent of organic food is actually organic? ›
If a food with many ingredients is labeled organic, at least 95% of the ingredients are certified organic, except for salt and water. The items that aren't organic must be from a USDA list of approved additional ingredients. These also may have a USDA seal.
Is USDA certified organic really organic? ›
While there are many marketing claims that add value to foods, consumers can be assured that USDA organic products are verified organic at all steps between the farm and the store.
What does 100% certified organic mean? ›
“100 Percent Organic”
Used to label any product that contains 100 percent organic ingredients (excluding salt and water, which are considered natural) Most raw, unprocessed or minimally processed farm crops can be labeled “100 percent organic” PDP: May include USDA organic seal and/or 100 percent organic claim.
