ORGANIC FOOD LEGISLATION
Organic is a labeling term that indicates that the food or other agricultural product has been produced through approved methods that integrate cultural, biological, and mechanical practices that foster cycling of resources, promote ecological balance, and conserve biodiversity.
Synthetic fertilizers, sewage sludge, irradiation, and genetic engineering may not be used.
- No Irradiation
- No Synthetic Food Additives
- No Industrial Solvents
- Fewer Pesticide Residues
- USDA Certified
- EU Certified
Certification allows a farm or processing facility to sell, label, and represent their products as organic. Only producers who sell less than $5,000 a year in organic foods are exempt from this certification. However, they’re still required to follow the USDA’s standards for organic foods.
Accreditation authorizes private, foreign, or State entities to certify farms or processing facilities.
Certifying agents are accredited by the USDA (U.S. Department of Agriculture) in the United States and around the world. Certifying agents are responsible for ensuring that the USDA organic products meet or exceed all organic standards. The USDA National Organic Program (NOP) administers these regulations.
Click here for EU recognized control bodies.
AMERICAS
Products with less than 70% organic ingredients may not use the term organic other than to identify specific organic ingredients.
Products that contain between 70% and 95% organic ingredients may use the phrase “made with organic ingredients” on the label and list up to three of the organic ingredients on the principal display area.
Products labeled “organic” must contain at least 95% organic ingredients. These products may (but are not required to) display the USDA Organic seal.
Food retailers that sell or process organic foods are not required to undergo the certification process.
USDA signed three trade agreements on organic products with Canada, the European Union and Japan.
For retail products, labels or stickers must state the name of the U.S. or EU certifying agent and may use the USDA Organic seal or the EU organic logo.
EUROPE
The EU does not have a labeling category for “made with” organic products.
Organic products certified to the USDA organic or EU organic standards may be labeled and sold as organic in member countries.
You can import organic products from the EU member states into UK as long as your supplier is registered with an EU organic certification body.
Countries outside the EU that have organic equivalence agreements with the UK are : Argentina, Australia, Costa Rica, India, Israel, Japan, New Zealand, Switzerland
U.S. organic wine and wine “made with organic grapes” may be exported to the EU under the arrangement if it meets specific criteria.
U.S. organic products must be shipped with an EU import certificate (Certificate of Inspection) that has been completed by an NOP-accredited certifying agent.
ASIA
Since July 1, 2014, processed organic products certified in Korea or in the U.S. may be sold as organic in either country, eliminating significant barriers and creating opportunities.