Australian Tropical Products

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What makes the difference of organic versus Certified organic?
Fevruary 2008

All the time we get the question “What’s the difference between organic and certified organic?”

The word organic can be used by everybody. It isn’t a protected name or word. That means if the products are grown with chemicals, sprayed or have added preservatives the producer could write the word “organic” on his product, because there isn’t a protection. Some people say “Everything that is growing is organic otherwise it doesn’t grow!”.

It is the same with the expression “organically grown”. If the producer is using one or the other word it comes back to trust. If you know the company or farmer it is, perhaps ok. But what if the producer is in the Far North and you are living south? Could you still trust the suppliers?

To deal with these problems, different organizations were founded. What does this mean? It means that all farmers or food producers using the words “Certified Organic” have to show the certifier’s name and a registered number. In this case you as a customer can be sure that this farmer or company is registered. You also have the possibility to contact the certifier and ask them about the registered farmer or company.

Now you could say… “but only registration isn’t good enough!” You are right. There are “Australian Organic Standards” which the farmer or producer has to comply with, E.g.

Before they are certified they have to deliver a whole history of the farm

the farmer has to show what he is using on his farm. These have to be certified organic sprays, fertilizer etc

The farmer has to supply a soil test for residue

They have to document everything they are using, Eg. If a producer is buying an ingredient he has to document the supplier and ask them for the organic certification.

How he stores the product

What he is using for cleaning

The use of non Certified pesticides, fungicides and herbicides are prohibited

The use of antibiotics, anti-microbials, hormones and other growth promotants are prohibited in a certified organic production and a lot more.

Organic Standards internationally have a common and rigid backbone of requirements which include non use of synthetic pesticides and related chemicals, no GMOs (Generically Modified Organism), a focus on animal welfare and natural holistic,
biological farming – when products are certified they are confirmed to comply with these recognized stringent requirements

Some organic organization are:

National Association for Sustainable Agriculture (www.nasaa.com.au)
ACO: Australian Certified Organic (www.australianorganic.com.au)
Organic Growers of Australia (www.organicgrowers.cor.au )
Bio Dynamic Research Institute

Conclusion:
If you find a Logo of a certifier together with a number on a product you could be sure that these products are really “certified organic” because all are controlled and audited by the certification organization.
In the following news letter you will find the part 2: Why is it better using “Certified Organic food”?
What’s coming up?
Video Clip
At the moment we are producing a short video how the unique and delicious Certified Organic Pumpkin Seed Oil is produced. We will keep you informed about when you could view it on our webpage.
Feast of the Senses, 16 of March in Innisfail
Feast of the Senses is an event happening at 16 of March 08 in Innisfail. We will promote some of our products at the Stall. Come and have a taste of all different local tropical products.

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