Why certified organic?

The term "organic" has created much confusion in the natural health industry. According to a strict dictionary definition, organic means anything consisting of or derived from living matter and containing atoms of carbon. When this definition is applied to consumables marketed as natural and beneficial to our health, we are no longer talking about only products which have been grown or created without the use of harmful chemical fertilisers, pesticides, herbicides or additives.

Certified organic, on the other hand, means exactly that. To qualify for organic certification growers and manufacturers must adhere to strict guidelines set out by an unbiased governing body which has no interest in profit margins or sales targets. A certified organic logo on any product is your guarantee that every ingredient in the product is chemical free.

These days, chemical use in the production of most consumables is commonplace, and generally accepted as the way of the times, but is this chemical overload really healthy for our bodies, or should we be considering the growing movement towards a more natural approach?

From the ground up...

To qualify for certification, organic farmers must go through a three year conversion period where all aspects of farming, from soil management to growing to sustainable crop rotation meet the standards of the certifying body. Crops harvested during this three year period will not qualify for certification, but afterwards, providing all standards are met,  the farm will be registered as certified organic and can use the certifiers logo. Yearly inspections and regular documentation of farming practices are then required for registration to continue.

As well as being sold fresh, organic produce is used in the manufacture of a multitude of products including skin care, household cleaners, clothing, baby goods and processed foods. Each step of the manufacturing process of these items must also meet certifyers standards if the end product is to wear their logo. Organic certification means the product contains only certified organic ingredients, and meets environmental requirements regarding transport, processing and packaging of goods.

When you see the certified organic logo, you can be sure the product has passed every stage of the certifying body's stringent requirements, from the ground up...

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Karyn...