When shopping for organic food in the EU, people often have to fight their way through a jungle of quality labels and designations surrounding organic or ecological products without knowing what exactly is behind them. In order to create clarity for consumers and uniformity in the European food market for organic products, the EU introduced its own organic label in July 2010.
The EU’s organic label
The leaf, formed of white stars on a green background, is intended to identify food products that have been produced in accordance with an EC organic regulation. Eventually, it is hoped, a variety of different organic labels will disappear and only the EU label will apply.
But this is not to be expected for the time being. Because the quality marks of cultivation associations as well as retail chains are now not only successful brands, but also often stand for more organic.
Organic and ecological: protected terms
The good news for all consumers is: where “organic” is on it is also “organic” in it. As a term, just like “organic,” “biological” or “ecological” is protected by the EC Organic Regulation and may only be used if the product was produced from 95 percent organic ingredients.
Food from “controlled cultivation,” on the other hand, does not automatically comply with the EC Organic Regulation. The same applies to misleading terms such as “naturally fertilized,” “environmentally friendly” or “untreated.”
Variety of organic labels
Because designations alone therefore do not always give an indication of whether the products are actually organic, customers should pay attention to printed quality labels. A distinction is made between the seals of cultivation associations such as Bioland, Demeter or Biopark and the many organic own brands of supermarkets.
Whereas with the associations it can be trusted that foodstuffs come exclusively from association members, the origin of ingredients in products with an organic label can no longer be traced beyond doubt. However, it is still guaranteed that such products have been produced at least in accordance with EU organic standards.
Organic label in Germany
In Germany alone, there are well over 100 organic seals. In 2001, in an effort to clear up this quality label jungle somewhat, then Consumer Protection Minister Renate Künast introduced what is now Germany’s best-known organic seal: The honeycomb-shaped “Künast” seal from the state. Although it is the most widely used organic seal on the German market, it has not been able to displace other organic labels and organic brands.
The reason for this is the much stricter requirements of growers’ associations and supermarket chains regarding their organic production. For example, most associations require that the entire manufacturing operation be organic. In order to obtain the EU seal, on the other hand, partial organic farming is sufficient. Associations also often have higher standards for animal welfare or feed production than all EU specifications require.
Strict controls on organic products
For grower associations and retailer chains, their seals have become an economic asset that has the trust of consumers. In order not to damage brands and the association, much stricter controls are also carried out. In addition to the legally required inspections, associations therefore also check the quality of their products internally.
This measure also helps to build trust, so it can be assumed that in the future various logos will continue to be found on products in addition to the EU organic seal.
Origin of organic products
At least the origin of food ingredients is becoming at least somewhat more transparent. With the introduction of the new EU logo, labeling will be mandatory with immediate effect, providing information on whether a product comes entirely, partially or not at all from the EU. Only if all ingredients come from a single country can the country of origin be listed.
It is precisely this, however, that consumers should keep an eye on. Organic yogurt made with imported milk from France and fruit flown in from Spain is not really organic, even if the animals are raised in a humane manner and the fruit is unsprayed. In addition, food loses considerable quality during long transport and harvesting in an unripe state.
