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Principles of Labelling Organic Produce

Some of the principles that this represents are:

• 95% or more organic ingredients are used then the product can be called organic in the title.

• If this contents fall between 70-95% then the work organic can only be used in the ingredients listing.

• If any less than 70% of the ingredients in a product are organic then manufactures are unable to use the word organic anywhere in the title or ingredients.

Organic foods must meet EU standards with regard to the materials used in packaging and labelling. Materials must be recyclable, where possible, and carry the appropriate organic accreditation symbol. In addition, although it is not a legal requirement, organic products should strive to avoid all unnecessary packaging.

Organic Produce and the EU Standards

For organic produce to meet the EU standards there are strict standards that must be adhered to right down to the labelling and packaging.  The materials which are used must be made from recycled materials and a logo reinforcing this should be visible.  The accreditation would be given by one of 3 bodies.  As a principle thou organic products should try and avoid using unnecessary packaging.  The standards thou are enforced by organic certification authorities and must be licensed to use the word organic in the product title and is governed by trading standards legislation.  The standards are very detailed and each product vary greatly.

Organic General Practices

The production of organic products vary vastly from product to product and are very detailed.  Below are some of the general practices which can be classed and termed as organic.

Animal Welfare – this ensures that animals can freely conduct there natural behaviours such as movement, freedom of space, freedom to eat and drink as they require.

Health – this encompasses the well known phase of we are what we eat and the high standards which have been set at every stage of production.

Environment – organic farmers encourage and look after the surrounding environment and natural habitat. This encourages local wildlife and insects to thrive.