HEALTH REPORT
Organic Living
Do you know the important difference between products that are labelled ‘organic’ and ‘ certified organic ’?
Choosing certified organic products is an easy, natural, and practical way to care for our planet and your future. A passion for healthy, wholesome living and respect for the world around us lie at the heart of organics. Choosing certified organic products is important for anyone who is seeking a healthier way of life, and it makes it so much easier to make better choices about food and drink, health and beauty, babycare, petcare, gardening, home, office and clothing purchases. Understanding the difference There is currently no domestic regulation surrounding the term ‘organic’ in Australia, which means that some products labelled ‘organic’ simply may not be what they say they are. For example, a product claiming to be organic could contain as little as two percent of organic ingredients, while other ingredients could have been produced using synthetic chemicals. However, products labelled ‘certified organic’ have been put through a rigorous certification process to ensure that they meet an approved set of standards, such as the Australian Certified Organic Standard (ACOS). This means that every certified organic farm, product, and service must have had each part of their supply chain independently and third party- verified by a certification body. This verification ensures that everything is examined, from the growth of the produce in the field, to the sourcing of additional ingredients, manufacturing, and processing procedures, all the way through to getting the products into stores. Only by choosing products labelled ‘certified organic’ can you be sure that you are buying truly organic products and supporting certified organic producers. September is Australian Organic Awareness Month – AOAM, for short – and it is our country’s largest campaign promoting
the Australian certified organic industry. Led by the peak industry body Australian Organic Limited, AOAM aims to raise awareness
of certified organic products, brands, and businesses, while also educating consumers about the importance of looking for certified organic logos on their organic purchases. Join in this September by supporting your favourite certified organic brands and businesses like Go Vita, and sharing your stories on social media. Visit www.whyorganic.com.au to find out more.
Why Certified Organic?
• Only 19 percent of
free range can run up to 10,000 per hectare. • Thirty-three percent of shoppers have purchased a product, thinking it was organic based on packaging claims - only to later find it was not. shoppers recognise the Australian Organic-owned ‘Bud’ certification logo. • Seventy-seven percent of organic shoppers are now • Sixty-four percent of
chemicals are removed when washing non- organic strawberries in tap water. Toxic chemicals and pesticides are not permitted in organic foods. farming systems emit up to 40 percent less carbon emissions than non- organic systems. • No more than 1,500 birds are permitted per hectare for certified organic chickens, but non-organic • Numerous long-term trials show organic
aware of certification marks, up from 59 percent in 2019.
Statistics extracted from Australian Organic Market Report 2023 and budorganic.com.au
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ISSUE 68 • 2023
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