How do you know is a product is certified organic?

Choosing to eat organic is a lifestyle choice increasing numbers of people are choosing to make, but how do you know if a product is Certified Organic? Let’s take a look.

To help Australians choose organic foods that have been certified, the organic certification program was established in the 1980s. The certification programs let consumers know if they’re buying a product which claims to be organic, that it truly is an organic product. Manufacturers and companies must meet strict criteria to be eligible to be certified organic.

The certification process begins with the farmer and continues down the chain of supply. The farmer, processor and final point of sale must all comply with the organic certification process. Australia doesn’t yet have any domestic legislation for the term, and is still unlikely for several years, so the only way to ensure something is truly organic (unless you grow it or produce it yourself) is to rely on a certification mark such as the “Bud” logo. The “Bud” logo will help confirm that it has been independently certified to national and international standards for organic production.

When you read the label on the product, it should state that the product is certified organic or certified biodynamic. If the product does not say it’s certified organic or does not have the logo, you can’t be certain the product really is organic. There should also be a unique certification number for each certified operation, along with a batch code or other traceable system so that each product can be traced back to its point of origin.