The word "organic" is central to the certification process (and marketing) of organic food. This is actually a heavily debated topic. In countries where organic laws exist, farmers and producers of food cannot use the term "organic" legally without certification.
Organic certification is a process for producers of agricultural products and any business directly involved in food production (seed suppliers, farmers, food processors, retailers and restaurants). Requirements vary from country to country, but generally involve production standards for growing, storage, processing, packaging and shipping that include:
- Avoidance of most synthetic chemical (e.g. fertilizer, pesticides, antibiotics, food additives, etc), genetically modified organisms, irradiation, sewage
- Use of farmland that has been free from chemicals for a number of years (usually three or more)
- Keeping detailed written production and sales records (audit trail)
- Maintaining strict physical separation of organic products from non-certified products
- Periodic on-site inspections
The cost and legal requirements of the organic certification process can be prohibitive, especially for smaller farms. Various alternative certification approaches, using currently undefined terms like "authentic" and "natural" instead of "organic", are also being used. These rely more on trust and peer-to-peer inspection. Sometimes farms that operate naturally and are still in the process of certification are termed "organic-in-transition".
There is a concern that certification is replacing consumer education, and this goes against the essential, holistic nature of organic farming. By reducing complex issues and regulations to a simple, convenient certified organic label, it becomes easy to ignore the principles and practices behind organics, leaving the definition of organic farming and organic food open to manipulation.
For example, if produce is "organically" grown and then shipped 1000 kilometers to the highest bidder causing an enormous carbon footprint on the environment - well then that's not very organic is it?
As with many things in life the real answer is not black and white. It is best to read up, ask questions about the things you consume. And make the most informed decision that you can for your health and the wellbeing of our planet.
References:
[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Organic_certification; accessed Feb 2009]
[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Organic_food; accessed Feb 2009]
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