Labels
Country of Origin
Ingredients
Checking with the Producer
Organic Standards in the US
The organic standards describe the specific requirements that must be verified by a USDA-accredited certifying agent before products can be labeled USDA organic.
Crops
The organic crop production standards require that:
• Land must have had no prohibited substances applied to it for at least 3 years before the harvest of an organic crop.
• Soil fertility and crop nutrients will be managed through tillage and cultivation practices, crop rotations, and cover crops, supplemented with animal and crop waste materials and allowed synthetic materials.
• Crop pests, weeds, and diseases will be controlled primarily through management practices including physical, mechanical, and biological controls. When these practices are not sufficient, a biological, botanical, or synthetic substance approved for use on the National List may be used.
• Operations must use organic seeds and other planting stock when available.
• The use of genetic engineering, ionizing radiation and sewage sludge is prohibited.
Similar standards are applicable for meat and poultry products.
Organic Certification in India
Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA), Ministry of Commerce & Industries, Government of India is implementing the National Programme for Organic Production (NPOP).
The programme involves the accreditation of Certification Bodies, standards for organic production, promotion of organic farming and marketing etc. The NPOP standards for production and accreditation system have been recognized by European Commission and Switzerland for unprocessed plant products as equivalent to their country standards. With these recognitions, Indian organic products duly certified by the accredited certification bodies of India are accepted by the importing countries. APEDA is also in the process of negotiation with Australia, South Korea, Taiwan, Canada, Japan etc.
Conclusion:
It is important to note that there is a difference between certified organic (100% organic) and organic (organically grown) foods.
Certified organic foods are those that have been produced and processed in accordance with specific standards and regulations set by the certifying agency.
Organically grown foods, on the other hand, are foods that have been produced without the use of synthetic pesticides, herbicides, or fertilizers, but may not have been certified. They may contain some ingredients that may not be completely organic.