What is Australian Certified Organic?

It’s your guarantee of integrity. Organic products are grown and processed without the use of synthetic chemicals, fertilizers or GMO’s. They are assessed against a strict set of Organic Standards, which requires the ingredients in foods and drinks to be verified as organic, before a product can be labelled and sold as certified organic.

How can you be sure it’s genuine?

The only way to ensure you are purchasing genuine organic products is to check for a certification logo. When you see a certification number and logo, you know that there is a seamless chain of information about every step of the life of that product – from farm to fork.

Do organic foods taste better?

Grown naturally, the way nature intended, many consumers claim that organic foods have a better taste than non-organic equivalents. Occasionally other factors may come into play, but taste tests and the millions of people who regularly eat organic confirm the superior flavour.

Why does organic sometimes costs more?

Organic foods can be more expensive, however this represents then true cost of growing nutritious, high quality, chemical-free produce. As some say, ‘you get more carrot in your organic carrot’. Food grown using intensive methods may be cheap, but on the flip side can have high health, social and environmental costs such as sickness and cleaning up polluted waterways. ‘Can we afford not to go organic?’ is the real question to ask.

Do organic foods last as long?

Manufactured organic foods have a shelf life similar to their non-organic equivalents. However, as no synthetic fungicide, pesticide or post-harvest treatments are used, the shelf life is fresh organic products can vary. In many cases its lower water content and natural method of production can improve shelf life.

Are organic foods pesticide free?

Pesticides are everywhere – in the air, the ground and water supplies, and therefore the risk of contamination is always present – so it is impossible for any product to claim that it is entirely pesticide free. As organic foods are produced without the use of artificial pesticides, consuming organic is your best way of limiting pesticide intake.

Are all goods entirely organic?

Most organic foods are 100% organic, however some manufactured goods have a small proportion of uncertified ingredients (a maximum of 5%) from a restricted list, which can be found in the Australian Organic Standard. These ingredients must be clearly labelled. All products and operations are audited and tested annually and a cross-section of operations are subject to un-announced audits throughout the year to ensure integrity of organic products.

Do organic foods contain any additives?

Organic foods undergo the minimum processing necessary. A minimum number of natural processing aids such as ascorbic acid (vitamin C) and guar gum are approved and must be included on the label when used. These are under constant review and new processing aids can only be added following intense scrutiny.

What about genetic modification (GM)?

Australian Organic Standards prohibit the use of genetically modified organisms (GMO’s) of any kind during the growing, processing and manufacture of organic foods.

Who regulates the industry?

The two organic representative bodies are Biological Farmers of Australia (BFA) and Australian Certified Organic (ACO). BFA is Australia’s largest representative organic body, and since the 1980s has been a voice for its members and the organic industry and movement in general – on matters relating to education, trade, promotion and advocacy. ACO is a subsidiary of BFA and is Australia’s premier certifier of organic produce. ACO certifies more organic businesses and organic produce in Australia than any other organisation. ACO maintains conformance with all leading organic standards across the world allowing market access for certified organic products. Look out for the ACO logo when buying organic for your guarantee of organic integrity.

Organic is the way food is grown and handled. Organic farming is a system of agriculture, which works with nature rather than against it. Supporting organic is the best way we can secure a better and healthier future for ourselves, our children and our planet.

For more info visit www.bfa.com.au