Understanding Certified Organic Labels

As consumers who are starting to purchase the organic options, we really need to make sure we understand exactly what the certified organic labels mean. 

The word organic applied to food or farming, means that the methods used do not include modern synthetic inputs such as pesticides and chemical fertilizers or genetically modified organism (GMO). The farming operation can be classified as biological or biodynamical farming, to just discuss two farming processes.

Biological farming looks at the full environmental exposure with a focus on attaining naturally healthy and fertile soils by balancing minerals, organic materials and living organisms that serve as plant food. Conventional farming, with the use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides upset this balance, whereas biological farming use natural processes including crop rotation, compost and natural mineral products, to encourage natural fertility of the soil and also provide natural pest control and disease management.

Biodynamic farming follows much of the common biological farming with crop rotation, manures, compost, herbal and mineral additives, but it also takes on a holistic approach incorporating a spiritual and mystical belief with the manner or timing that activities are carried out. Both farming processes are an environmentally sustainable way of farming the land, with a focus on a natural cycle that returns nutrients to the soil after each crop season, with minimal risk to the environment and humans, today and in the future.

For a business small or large, to be considered a certified organic producer in Australia, they must obtain certification from a number of privately owned organisations who have a minimum standard requirement, that must be met before certifying any producer, processors or retailers/wholesalers. 

The certification process is a regulatory and audit system providing guidelines and rules that as a minimum include the standards listed by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) AS 600-2009 organic and biodynamic food labelling standard that is a reference point when determining whether a product is organic or not.

All organic certified organisations, must have an organic management system that records all chemicals used and actions taken to verify compliance with the organic certification standards.  Any product that carries an organic symbol, logo or other trademark showing that they are, whether they reference a standard or not should be able to provide substantial records to back their claim. This information is to provide a system of traceability from paddock to plate ensuring the integrity of the organic product.

For farms, there is a three year conversion process that they must endure. The first year they cannot be classified as organic, but in the following year they can be labelled as ‘in conversion’, and in the third year they can finally be called organic. During the conversion period, the soil needs to be given time for any chemicals previously used, to be totally dissolved and a natural soil cycle to begin.

Organic farmers cannot use any petroleum based or sewage sludge based fertilizers.  GMO’s are absolutely prohibited to be used at any stage of production, and they are not even allowed to be used in the same production unit. The Australian Organic Standard (AOS) 2006 Section 4, includes a list of approved inputs that can be used as substitutes for fertilisers and pesticides, the list excludes any synthetically compounded materials which chemically alter the naturally occurring plant, animal or mineral resources.

Organic livestock, which includes organic meat, dairy and egg production, must only be given organic feed and have access to living in natural surroundings that accommodate the natural behaviours of the animals. The animals cannot be treated with growth hormones or antibiotics. Only when illness surface, can they be medically treated, with the exception of  vaccination against disease. Organic farmers used balanced diets, rotational grazing and sanitary housing as preventative measures against disease and parasites.

Organically labelled products sometimes attract a premium price compared to those produced using chemicals, artificial fertilisers, pesticides and using unnecessary food additives. When considering the higher price, we must also consider that the cost of conventional farmed produce, does not reflect the cost of the environmental clean-ups that we pay for through our tax dollars. Organic farming is more labour and management intensive. Organic farms are usually smaller than conventional farms, and do not benefit from the economies of scale that larger growers get.

Below are some of the certified organic labels that we see in Australia;

Australian Certified Organic (ACO) is one of Australia’s leading organic auditing and certifying companies. The ACO certification covers producers, processors, wholesalers, retailers and restaurants.   www.bfa.com.au

Under the ACO for the benefit of smaller producers, they have the Organic Growers of Australia Small producer program.  This allows small farms and producers with an annual income of less than $75,000.00 to become certified at a discounted fee charge. This certification allows farms to become organically certified and provide products to farmers markets or sell directly from their farms.

NASAA certification, much the same as the ACO, provides certification processing and auditing for primary producers, manufacturers and retailers, applying the same organic management systems that must be adhered to for organic certification. www.nasaa.com.au

Some key packaging and labelling points that the ACO organic standards regulated include;

1.      All products, raw or processed, labelled as certified organic must include reference to the certifying body and the producer’s certification number.

2.      Clear labelling of the stage of certification must be displayed. E.g.| within the first three year conversion period, products must be labelled as ‘Organic In Conversion’ whereas ‘Organic’ which can only be used when full certification requirements have been met.

3.      Organic products must be free from GMO, but products cannot be labelled as GMO free.

4.      The label must make no suggestion that the certified organic product constitutes a guarantee of superior nutritional quality.

5.      Only processed food containing 100% organic ingredients (excluding water and salt) can be labelled as 100% organic.

6.      Where the organic ingredients make up more than 70% but less than 95% of the whole product, the term ‘made with organic ingredients’ can be used, but the non-organic ingredient must not be available in an organic form and must be of non GMO and non-irradiated status.

7.      The ACO also states that the packaging used for certified organic produce must be designed to keep the credibility of the certified product. This means that the packaging should be used with respect to the environmental impacts, consumption and excluding ozone depleting substances. The use of plastics can only be used when there no chance of leaching into the product and where the use of plastic assists in the protection of the certified product from contamination.

A full list of the ACO standards and more information on Australian organic producers can be found at this website www.bfa.com.au or www.aco.net.au/

Macro Wholefoods Fair Trade Organic Coffee Pods - Organic tried and tested

Macro Wholefoods Fair Trade Organic Coffee Pods - Organic tried and tested


 Woolworth's Macro Wholefoods Market range now includes NASAA Certified Organic Espresso Fair Trade Coffee Capsules. Being a lover of my coffee pod machine, I’m so happy that I can now indulge in freshly brewed café lattes at home whilst being a conscious consumer.

The capsule strength is medium, but as a strong coffee drinker it still had enough kick to satisfy.

Its a small change to make, swap your regular coffee pods for the fair trade option and I'm sure with greater demand a greater organic fair trade range will start to appear on the supermarket shelf.

Soma Organics - Organic Tried & Tested

Soma Organics - Organic tried and tested

Always being on the lookout for yummy organic treats I've recently stumbled across Soma Bite they are bite size pieces with Goji Berry, Chia Seeds, ground almond and Brazil Nuts - 100% certified NASAA Organic and a Australian Company perfect for an afternoon snack at work if you haven't already tried them, keep an eye out in your organic isle at Woolworths or check out their website for more stockist Soma Organics

Benefit of Farmers Markets

With so many lovely weekend markets around, I think you are foolish to not to get out and about for a few hours on a Saturday morning to get your fruit and veggies.

Local farmer markers are a perfect opportunity to buy excellent quality, with many locally grown produce and very affordable prices.

While there are many stalls at the local markets that serve as a reseller, who sell imported and local products, there are many local farmer and producer stalls selling to the public. It is a excellent way to see, talk with and taste what our local farmers and producers have to offer.

Some of the benefits of buying locally include;

• Supporting your local community, local farmers, and local producers.

• Locally produced food does not have to travel as far across the country.

• Food is not factory washed and not sealed in plastic or cardboard packaging, which leads to a fresher product.

• Generally organic fruit and vegetables sold at the markets, come at a cheaper price to the leading name supermarkets. In some cases,  a larger selection of organic products are on sale.

• The food at local farmer markets is usually fresher than supermarket bought. They also seem to remain fresher for a bit longer, when stored correctly at home.

• Variety!! Wondering around some markets, I have had to ask stall holders what certain herbs or vegetables are and how they are cooked as they are new to me. As these stalls are not operating on a quick turnaround method of supplying what the majority is demanding, you can come across some weird and wonderful delights that usually would not be stocked in a supermarket.

• The stall holders are so much happier than the teenage cashiers. They are always more than happy to answer questions, offer cooking or storage advice, and many actually encourage the ‘taste test’ before you buy.

So why not ditch the supermarket, and enjoy the fresh air, colourful sights and start being a farmer’s market weekend warrior.

I would love to hear about your favourite local farmers markets – please share a comment below about your favourite market spots

In Brisbane, my favourite markets so far (I have not managed to get around even half of them yet) include;

Kuraby Markets - Every Saturday 6-12pm kurabymarkets  

 

Beenleigh Markets – Every Sunday 6-12pm - Beenleigh Showground

West End Markets – Every Saturday 6-12 Davies Park - daviesparkmarket

Gold Coast Organic Farmers Market – Every Sunday 6am – 11.30am - gcorganicmarket

Rocklea Markets – Every Saturday 6-12pm –  brisbanemarkets

Product Labelling - Date Marks

To get the most out of our shopping dollars, it is handy to understand date marking. This can allow us to better understand when products are safe to eat and also at their best quality and nutritional value.

Product labelling requires the packaging of products to display a date mark. Date marking gives consumers and retailers an indication of the freshness of a product and when best to be consumed.

There is no requirement for any package food with a shelf life of more than 2 years to have a date mark. This could include any canned foods such as canned soups, canned vegetables and other cured or preserved foods. Some manufactures can still provide the best before date, so that consumers know when the product will still be expected to be consumed at its top quality.

Bread can have a ‘baked on” date, or a ‘baked for” date, instead of the best before date, as the shelf life of bread is considered to be less than 7 days in most cases.

Use-By Date
It is illegal in Australia to sell any product that has reached its use-by date. These products need to be eaten or thrown away by this date, as it is unsafe even if it looks fine. Products once they reach the use-by date can lose their key nutrients or even develop a build-up of bacteria, which can be harmful if consumed. Common foods with a use-by date include dairy products and meat produce.
 
Best-Before Date
These products can still be eaten after the best before date, as long as they are not damaged, deteriorated or starting to perish. The best before date must be added to any products that have a shelf life is less than 2 years. Many manufacturer’s also include information for ways to store the food, if these expressed requirements are met, than most foods with the best before date can still safely be eaten on or after this date. These products may lose some quality, but it is still expected to retain full colour, taste, texture and flavour as long as stored correctly.  Common foods with the best before date include canned foods, flour and sugars, biscuits, chocolates and chips.
 

Made In Australia

I think for the majority of us, when we see labels on products in supermarkets we do not truly understand what they mean. This can be extremely confusing if we are taking steps to be confident consumers wanting to support local Australian farmers and business, as there seems to be a variety of product labelling that claims ‘Product of’, ‘Made in’ and ‘Australian owned’.

Under Australian Consumer Law (ACL), the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) is the enforcer and administrator of product and packaging labelling requirements for the country of origin claims which set legal standards in the Competition and Consumers Act 2010 (this has replaced the Trade Practice Act 1974). This includes a list of requirements that must be met before any business can publically list any claims of being a ‘product of Australia’ or ‘made in Australia’.

When business in Australia, do not adhere to the labelling regulation and provide misleading or deceptive information regarding the country of origin, they breach section 29(1)(k) of competition and consumer act 2010, which prohibits misleading conduct of false representation regarding the place of origin of goods.

Country of origin labelling shows the country that the goods where grown, produced, manufactured or packaged. In situations where more than one country of origin occurs, the labelling requirements are to list all countries or to disclose made from a mix of imported and local ingredients.

Country of origin information must be listed on all packaging for packaged goods, but for non-packaged food like fruit, vegetables and unpackaged meat, a sign located near the display area is sufficient. Some unpackaged produce may also have stickers like we see on apples, that state the farm and location grown.

When packaging labels state either of the following ‘A Product of Australia’, ‘Produced in Australia’ or ‘Produce of Australia’ means that all significant ingredients are grown in Australia and that the manufacturing process was performed in Australia. Some fresh produce can also present ‘grown in Australia’ when grown at an Australian farm.

‘Made in Australia’ and ‘Manufactured in Australia’ can be used when at least 50% of the costs of production, have been incurred in Australia. This means that at least half of the production processes are conducted in Australia, but not necessarily with the use of Australian ingredients. An example would be if a jar of jam claims to be made in Australia, the fruit and sugar could be imported, but the jam making and jarring process are conducted in Australia.

Some products have claims saying ‘Made in Australia from local and imported ingredients’, but there is no requirement to give a percentage rate, of what is imported and what is local. Many businesses used this label to cover any additional imports required for Australian seasonal shortages for processing foods. 

 

Company ownership is another confusing label. If a product states 100% Australian owned or ‘Proudly Australian Owned’, this means that the company is an Australian owned company, not that the product or produce was made or grown in Australia. A 100% Australian owned company can have products that are made, solely from imported ingredients or process and packaged overseas, so always check the back ingredients list to see if they disclose more information from where the ingredients come from. 

What is Fair Trade?

Fair trade is a social movement that is all about paying better prices, providing fair working conditions and supporting local sustainability in developing countries.

The Fair trade international (FLO) has a number of standards that incorporate social development, economic development and environmental development that must be agreed to by farmers, workers and exporters before any organisation can be considered a Fair trade partner and have the certification to display the Fair trade logo on any products.

The standards include;

• Guaranteed Fair Trade Minimum Price, which is agreed with farmers and workers. 
• The Fair trade minimum price is an agreed minimum rate that will be paid for products, but during times of market fluctuation if the market price is higher than the fair trade minimum price, the market price must be paid, and if the market price is lower, than the Fair trade minimum price has to be paid.  

• A Fair Trade Premium must also be included, which is a further additional payment used for investment in community development. Community projects may include building schools, medical facilities and making easier access to clean drinking water. 

• Financing options for farmers must be available, including prepayments if they require the use of funds up front. 

• Fair Labour Hire conditions, including; 
• Allowing workers the right to join trade unions. 
• The freedom from discrimination of any form. 
• Fair working conditions 
• Fair wages including sick pay and overtime.
• Compliance to health and safety issues. 
• All child labour must not be abusive or forced, with a minimum age of 15 years old. 
• The work for any school child needs to be organised, so the tasks are age appropriate and also done outside school hours or during holidays. 

Fair trade coffee, tea, sugar and chocolate are becoming readily available in supermarkets, while these may sometimes be more expensive, we as consumers have to consider this is a small price to pay for the benefits of others in less fortunate countries unlike ourselves.

Organisations such as Oxfam, have an extensive Fair Trade product list, and the convenience of online shopping www.oxfam.org.au go check their site out. They also have current campaigns and lots of interesting information about how we can become more active in taking the stand for fair trade.

So why not start today, it is even as simple as trying a fair trade product you have not tasted before, and making it a permanent part of your weekly shop. Remember, when you buy Fair Trade Certified goods, you are making a choice that means quality products, improved lives and environmental protection.

For more information, i have included a short clip made by Fair trade Australia and New Zealand they provide more insight into the Cocoa fair trade program currently in Ghana.

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