What Does Certified Organic Mean?

The meaning of “organic”.

The dictionary says organic means of, related to or derived from living organisms. Most people reading this will say,

“yes, yes I knew that”. But what you may not know is that the use of this word by producers and manufacturers can be

misused or misunderstood. It’s use is far more complicated then slapping the term on a box or can and calling it

organic. As I’m sure every citizen of this country is aware by now, manufacturers twist terms, words, and phrases into

the image they want to portray to the public. Unfortunately this rarely reflects the true nature of the product,

healthy or otherwise. It’s generally a sales ploy.

“All Natural” as an example

We’ve all heard the words “all natural” for many, many years and we’ve all been duped for many, many years into

believing this meant the product we were consuming was completely of nature when of course there is no guarantee that

it truly is “all natural.” Manufacturers may include plant abstracts or juices in products, call it natural, then add

in chemical preservatives, dies, and perfumes thus rendering an originally healthy product toxic and the public is

rarely aware of it as they go about their daily lives. Not only that but natural ingredients is no guarantee that they

weren’t grown in chemical laden fields or taken from hormone laced livestock. This is an example of a very misused

term and one that is unregulated by the government. Buyer beware!

So what is “certified organic”?

The same applies, to varying degree, to the products labeled organic, accept that there are some USDA rules and

guidelines for the use of the term “certified organic“. In order for a product to carry the USDA certified organic

label it must be 95% organic. This leaves 5% leeway for manufacturers to insert non-organic stuff, maybe non-organic

ingredients, maybe preservatives, maybe anything. To be guaranteed of a 100% organic product you must look for the

100% symbol. The USDA stamp alone is no promise that there isn’t some toxic substance in that extra 5%. Products may

be labeled “made with certified organic ingredients” if they are 70% organic, meaning that 30% may be of non-organic

origins. And finally manufacturers are permitted to list organically produced ingredients on the side label if their

product contains less then 70% certified organic ingredients. So, conclusion: it is very hard to escape the chemical

world we’ve all been plunged into, willingly or unwillingly.

Certified organic gets downplayed by congress<

Unfortunately for consumers and those dedicated to the organic revolution Congress relaxed its certified organic

guidelines in 2005. Loopholes in new guidelines could allow dairy animals treated with antibiotics, animal by-products

and hormones as babies to be converted to organic production. The loophole may also allow artificial or chemical

substances, including nearly 500 food contact chemicals to be used in organic processed food without approval.
Finally, these new guidelines allow non-organic ingredients to be substituted for organic without notification during

“emergency decrees”. This basically opens the consumers back up to the onslaught of man-made toxins when they thought

they were buying healthier, chemical-free products. All this happened despite huge consumer, and organic producer

opposition, making this writer have to wonder whose best interest does congress have at heart?

What does it take to become certified organic?

Needless to say, becoming certified organic by the USDA is very difficult, costly and time consuming. Their guidelines

and rules can be stringent and tough. For growers this includes abstaining from the use of chemical poisons, such as

pesticides, and sewage slug 3 years prior to certification. This often means allowing fields to lie fallow for three

years, producing no revenue for the farmer. Growers may not use pesticides and other chemical poisons during the

duration of their certification. Organic growers may not use genetically altered or enhanced organisms nor may they

irradiate. They must also practice sustainable farming methods which include, soil building, crop rotation, manure

management and conservation of the land. Ranchers must provide outdoor pasture for grazers. Pasture land is required

to be free of pesticides and other poisons as well. Livestock may not be treated with unnecessary antibiotics or

hormones and must be fed only certified organic feed. Finally, growers and ranchers must avoid contamination with

toxins during collection and processing and keep meticulous records of all operations. The guidelines for

manufacturers are just as stringent in their controls. But it doesn’t stop there. The USDA sends inspectors annually

to check records and crops. Often times they come unannounced.

So why do they do it? Why do growers choose to go through the rigors of gaining organic certification?

Firstly there is a growing community of farmers, gardeners, ranchers, producers and manufacturers that believe in

sustainable methods of producing food and other products. These people see much further into the future, preparing,

keeping, maintaining and protecting the ground for future generations as opposed to mining the ground for short term

gain. Basically they do it because they believe in it and they believe in its growth and it is growing.

So why the heck do organics cost so much more?

There are a couple of reasons for this. Firstly there will be lower crop yield due to natural processes we once

controlled with poisons. Secondly, the rules and regulations imposed by the USDA require much more time and attention

to detail costing the farmer and manufacturer. Thirdly, though growing, the industry remains small. As we all know as

the supply begins to actually balance with demand, prices go down. Meaning the more you buy, the more the farmer can

afford to produce thus lowering his prices. Just like with anything else.

It has even been mentioned that adding together all the money the country spends in health care to treat toxin related

diseases, the cost to clean up toxic spills and other related needs equals or exceeds the difference we pay for

certified organic products which protect our health and environment from ever becoming damaged in the first place.

Certified Organic vs Fair Trade Certified

The title of this article is disturbing. The concepts of Organic and Fair Trade are very important to building (rebuilding) a sustainable society. The good news is that the certifications are not mutually exclusive and actually complement each other nicely.

First, a word about certification. In our current market, third party certification is essential to both organic and fair trade. As the market for both fair trade and organic grows many businesses would rather change the definition than to change their practices. We are seeing this now in the fair trade coffee market place. As time goes on a search for fair trade coffee is more and more likely to turn up non-certified “fair trade” coffee, which is most likely just a marketing rouse to attract ethical customers. In a recent search of ebay for fair trade coffee 90% of the results were not third party certified, and upon further examination most looked very suspect. We have seen this already in the organic market. How many products marketed to organic consumers are actually certified? Companies have greened their names but not their practices. Without non-biased third party certification of organic or fair trade we are left to trust self interested parties who will only profit from that trust. So look at the labels a product caries, look into the requirements of that certification and make an informed decision. Know what labels you trust and know the ones that you feel are deceptions. With fair trade Transfair is currently the only certification agency, so look for the fair trade label.

The concept of growing organic is essential to the preservation of our environment. Herbicides, pesticides and fertilizers seep into the ground polluting our groundwater and it also runs off the fields and into local water resources. When forest are cleared for the planting of fields much of the topsoil is eroded and transported in nearby streams to the nearest lake where it deposits the sediment, filling up the lake. Working with the environment to prevent this erosion, organic coffee farmers preserve the fertility of the land by growing coffee in the shade, where coffee was meant to grow. This shade grown coffee provides the migratory birds with habitat and is thus called bird friendly. The concept of organic goes beyond protecting the environment and extends to protecting the the people who work in the fields. Many of the chemicals used in farming have been shown to cause cancer as well as many other health concerns. These concerns are multiplied when a person is repeatedly exposed to the sprays, like the farmers. How many lifelong farmers labored to provide our society with food and are now suffering from cancer (my grandfather is one of them)? Some studies have shown that organic methods even protect those who eat the fruits(even after they are washed), and also protect locals who drink the water.

Fair trade certified works in the opposite direction. First it ensures that the people are being paid and treated fairly. When it comes to fair trade coffee certification, “fair” has an objective definition through the certification requirements of Transfair. The coffee farmers are paid a fair trade premium (currently $1.26/lb) to ensure that they have money to invest in their community infrastructure. The money supports the families through health care, education, and through providing the needed capital to improve equipment and methods of harvest so that they can compete in the open market. Fair trade goes beyond community and family support and extends to protecting the environment. One of the requirements of fair trade certification it that a premium is paid for organic coffee, currently a full 15 cents more per pound than just regular fair trade. Many fair trade farmers have switched to organic methods and are now actively restoring the rain forest in order to receive this premium. They are not doing so grudgingly either, they understand that the rain forest is their heritage and want it to be restored. They don’t want to expose themselves and their families to toxic sprays when they can make a living otherwise. This explains why more than 80% of coffee certified as fair trade is also certified organic.

So why ask the question which is better when you can have both? Well there is plenty of coffee out there labeled as organic but not fair trade. The environment is being destroyed by some farmers out of what is seen as economic necessity. Organic is great, but by itself it is not sustainable, we must ensure that the people who grow it are properly compensated otherwise they are put in an economic position which lends itself to decisions with negative environmental consequences. Families that provide us with quality organic products deserve financial security. Fair trade does not compete with organic but it does make sure it is fiscally sustainable for the producers, thus ensuring future supply in our current economy..

This is why the fair trade model works. First it ensures the financial security of the farmers through fair prices, access to non-predatory loans and capital needed to market and sell their goods. Then it guarantees them a premium for environmentally friendly practices, which many times leads to conversion of conventional fields to organic. This model has been working for coffee and has now expanded to tea, chocolate and even some tropical fruits.

The results of fair trade have been amazing:

* Organic methods are being used and taught
* Community infrastructure is being built/rebuilt
* Clean water
* Erosion control
* Children in school
* Quality products through quality methods
* Adult education
* Secure families
* and sustainability

Next time you buy organic coffee or tea make sure it is also fair trade certified by Transfair. Request that your local grocer carry fair trade fruits when they are available.