When labels say organic, what do they actually mean?
You have to pay more for organic food, so what reassurances are
there that you’re really getting what you pay for?
Organic farming is a holistic and sustainable approach to producing
food. At its core is the avoidance of artificial fertilisers and
pesticides, and instead it relies on producing healthy soil by rotating
crops and using manure and compost. Animals are kept in free-range
conditions on a more natural, organic diet, without the routine use
of drugs and antibiotics common in intensive farming. GM products
are banned.
Setting the standards
These organic principles have been strictly laid down as detailed rules for any food sold as organic. By law, any organic food must be officially certified as organic, complying with the minimum EU standards. In the UK there are 10 organic bodies which can certify a food. (full list: www.defra.gov.uk/farm/organic/standards/certbodies/approved.htm) They all inspect and regularly check farms and factories to ensure they are adhering to standards.
The criteria for ‘organic’ are set for each of the organisations as at least the EU minimum. Several of them set higher standards and the Soil Association (www.soilassociation.org/) is considered the Rolls Royce, having the strictest additional standards – particularly with respect to animal welfare and fairtrade. The Soil Association certifies over 70% of organic food in the UK. Demeter (www.biodynamic.org.uk/) certifies biodynamic organic food, which also involves planting by the moon, in a system developed by Rudolph Steiner.
An organic food may show the logo of the certification body on it, but if not, it must at least have the code number (eg. the Soil Association is UK5).
Processed food
Organic processed food (such as biscuits or baby food) must contain at least 95% organic ingredients, and only permitted non-organic ingredients. If a food or drink contains 70-95% organic ingredients, then these can only be listed as ‘organic’ in the ingredients list.
Organic meat, poultry, dairy and eggs
Organic animals must be fed mainly on organic feed (95% for meat, 80% for chickens). They live in free-range conditions, but standards from some bodies, such as the Soil Association are stricter than others and offer further animal welfare benefits.
Organic fruit, veg and cereals
The production of organic crops is mainly concerned with ensuring a healthy living soil that effectively negates the need for fertilisers and pesticides. The importing of organic fruit and vegetables to meet UK demand has raised concerns about food miles, and how this contradicts the organic ethos. But after a long debate and recognising the importance of this trade to developing countries, the Soil Association has proposed that any organic food air-freighted to the UK should also meet fair-trade standards, to ensure that real benefits are delivered to the farmers.
Organic fish
Nothing wild can be labelled organic (because you can’t be sure of its history or what it has eaten), so currently only farmed fish, such as salmon and trout, raised to specific standards can legally be ‘organic’.
Alternatively you can look for the MSC tick, which ensures that you’re buying fish from a well-managed, sustainable fishery. The Marine Stewardship Council, an independent global organisation, that has certified 24 fisheries, with more on the way.
Almost there, but not quite…
If organic isn’t available or affordable… these labelling claims and logos offer improved standards over standard intensive farming along the principles of organics
A food claimed to be ‘free-range’ must have been reared to the animal welfare standards are defined in law.
The Freedom Foods logo is managed by the RSPCA and ensures a minimum set of animal welfare standards have been met.
The LEAF marque is awarded to farms that belong to the organisation Linking Environment and Farming which is committed to reaching higher environmental standards without going fully organic (pesticides are permitted, but farmers have to follow a code of responsible use).
Claims to watch out for
When you’re busy being an ethical shopper beware of claims such as ‘pure’, ‘natural’, ‘farmhouse’ etc. These claims aren’t defined in law… and although they shouldn’t legally mislead you, they’re open to creative use.
