Organic Products

• Absence of GMOs and their derivatives.
• Absence of artificial flavors, stabilizers, preservatives, dyes and thickeners.
• Production without the use of harmful technologies (ultrasound and radiation treatment, treatment with surfactants and phenols, chemical preservation, nuclear fission, gasification).
• Absence in the composition of agricultural raw materials, during the cultivation of which chemical fertilizers and pesticides, any other agrochemicals, as well as growth stimulants were used.
• Absence of agricultural raw materials that were grown near industrial facilities.

In addition to freedom from harmful substances, organic products are characterized by better taste properties, as well as higher nutritional value.

Let's take chicken as an example. Chicken meat is considered an excellent dietary product. However, non-organic chicken on the shelves of supermarkets very often scares us because of the very high probability of using antibiotics and artificial feed when raising chickens.

Organic chicken guarantees nutrition and dietary quality, as inorganic feed and synthetic substances are not used in its production at poultry farms.

Due to the quality of organic agricultural production, organic vegetables and fruits are characterized by an increased content of dry substances, with a reduced content of water - which provides better taste properties. Also, organic products contain more vitamins, trace elements and fiber.

One of the conditions for the organicity of a product is organic production. The leading role in the field of " organic" (unofficial name of organic products — from English organic) belongs to agriculture or agrarian production. The definition of organic products from international legislation is as follows: "these are products obtained as a result of the introduction of certified organic production in accordance with the requirements of standards and rules of organic production." These organic standards regulate the certification process of organic agricultural enterprises, as well as their control system.

The production of all organic products begins with land certification. For example, if we mean organic meat and milk, then first of all , fields for animals, where they graze, should receive organic status. The land must have an organic certificate , which will ensure the absence of pesticides, dioxins and other chemicals that can then pass into milk and meat in the pastures, and therefore in the grass, which will become fodder for animals. Organic certification confirms that more than three years have passed since the last time GMOs and agrochemicals were used, as there are no residues of harmful substances in the land.

After the farm receives an organic certificate for the land, it has the right to obtain such a certificate for the animals as well. In order to meet production requirements, for example, organic beef, it is necessary to avoid the use of antibiotics, hormones and growth promoters, genetically modified feed and genetically modified animals. In addition, it is forbidden to keep animals in close stalls, as well as any inhumane treatment. Cows must graze freely on lands that have received organic status, in natural conditions. There are even requirements for the number of hectares per animal: for example, one adult dairy cow must be allotted at least 2 hectares. Milk obtained from such farms is a finished organic product ororganic raw materials.

As for complex products that contain a variety of ingredients, they can get the status of organic only if 95% of their composition is formed in an organically certified way. Because, for consumers of organic products, the place and conditions of production of each of the ingredients of the product are important. In accordance with the requirements of international standards, organic producers are obliged to indicate the origin of all components without exception on the packaging of their products.

Despite the small number of domestic organic producers, supermarkets have a wide selection of products labeled "bio", "eco" or "nature". Inexperienced consumers immediately associate such labeling with the global designation " organic ". However, in Ukraine there is still no national legislation on the issue of organic production, accordingly, there are no bio- or eco-groups in the commodity classification, the use of such concepts is not regulated. For some reason, such markings on domestic goods should not be perceived as something other than advertising.

An exception is imported products. The labeling of various European countries allows the use of the designations "bio" or "eco", if in the country of manufacture it is customary to call organic products that meet EU requirements.

An organic product includes special features: production method, benefits, quality, and, accordingly, price. In general, the global cost of organics is 20-40% higher than for conventional analogues. This difference is explained by the additional costs of manufacturers for production features and mandatory certification. Organic production itself requires more human resources, and the certification procedure is quite long and expensive. The vast majority of organic productions are small-scale, since all costs go to a smaller volume of production. Organic products are characterized by a short shelf life, which increases storage and logistics costs. Also, at the expense of organicenterprises are affected by the initial condition of the land — how much it was damaged and polluted by agrochemicals, how much time and effort was spent on restoring the balance and preparing it for the transition to organics . Western European producers testify that if there were no state subsidies and benefits, the cost of organic products would be many times higher. If we compare the minimum wage, the cost of land and certification services in Ukraine and in the EU countries, it becomes clear that the national organic should be cheaper . In addition, in the EU countries, harsh chemicals began to be used much earlier, so our lands have more resources and can switch to organicsit is much easier for farmers. However, the lack of stable agricultural subsidies in Ukraine, in particular, for organic enterprises, complicates the process of transition, production and certification of organic products .

All countries, cultures, forms of ownership and production of organic products adhere to the single and universal principles of organic agriculture . They were adopted and announced by the International Federation of the Organic Agriculture Movement.

• The principle of health — organic production ensures the preservation and strengthening of the health of the soil, plants and animals, people, and, because of that, the health of the entire ecosystem as a whole.
• The principle of ecological sustainability — the basis of organic agriculture is living ecosystems and natural cycles, working together with them, following their example, which ensures the preservation of the integrity and harmony of the ecosystem.
• The principle of justice — organic production guarantees fair treatment of the environment and equal opportunities for all people.
• The principles of care and conservation are at the core of organic agriculture - lean cultivation methods and an appropriate approach to the health and well-being of all generations and the environment in general.

You can recognize an organic product using a special marking — a system of signs and symbols. This system is used in countries where the concept of " organic " is regulated by legislation. Such labeling helps not only to recognize organic products , but also is a guarantee of quality. Organic signs and symbols are also controlled by the state.

The use of " organic ", "eco", "bio" and other terms that cause the consumer to associate with organics separately or in word combinations is possible only if this product meets the requirements of organic legislation, and its production is certified as organic . Moreover, the use of such concepts in the names of trade marks is also controlled.

Ukrainian consumers can distinguish real organic products with the help of signs generally accepted in Europe and the world.

The situation of consumers with the choice of organic products in Ukraine is somewhat complicated due to the lack of clear regulation of brand names. There are enough bio-kefirs, natural juices, eco products of domestic production on the shelves of stores, although they mostly do not meet the global organic requirements.

When purchasing organic products , you should pay attention to the presence of the following signs and logos.

This sign has been accepted in EU countries since July 1, 2010. In 1991, the European regulatory system in the field of agriculture EU Regulation 2091/91 came into force. From January 1, 2009, its next version was published — EC 834/2007.

Under the sign, on the label, must be indicated:

• regulatory authority code;
• the place of cultivation of agricultural raw materials from which the products were produced;
• name of the certification body.

It is this EU logo that can be found on products manufactured in Ukraine and meeting European standards of organic production.

Violation in the use of such a sign threatens responsibility for violation not only of national legislation regulating organic production, but also for violation of intellectual property rights.

In addition to the European system of certification of organic products, the most common are the American and Japanese ones.

The US National Organic Program (NOP) certifies and monitors organic producers. The NOP's labeling requirements apply to raw, fresh, and processed foods that contain organic agricultural ingredients.

In 2000, JAS introduced standards for organic crop production and plant products in Japan. And only in November 2005, Japanese organic standards for livestock products and processed animal products came into force.

The Demeter sign indicates production according to the rules of biodynamic organic production. Biodynamic food is more than just food. Biodynamics is a holistic philosophy based on the idea of ​​the unity of all living things.

Organic products from the EU may also have a national mark. For example, in 2001, the Federal Ministry of Consumer Protection of Food and Agriculture of Germany introduced a national label - Bio-Siegel (Ecological seal), which marks the products of enterprises that comply with the organic requirements of the EU.

Certificate of organic safety operating on the territory of the EU countries since 1991. The most significant certificate of conformity of products to organic standards. Valid throughout the EU. It is a unifying certificate of all EU countries.

Requirements for organic products :

• More than 95% of the components must be of organic origin.
• Products must be manufactured according to the standard of organic agriculture.
• Information about the place of production, country code and method of organic production is indicated on the label .
• Ban on the use of GMO components, petroleum products, sulfates, silicones, chemical compounds.
• Organic farming with the use of exclusively natural fertilizers.

Certificate confirming compliance of products with EU organic standards (since 2001).

Requirements for organic products:

• At least 95% of product components must be of organic origin.
• Prohibition on the presence of GMO raw materials, chemical compounds, mineral fertilizers, and pesticides in the composition and growing process.
• Prohibition on the effect of radiation on products.
• Animal husbandry is conducted in ecologically clean areas according to the principle of "free range" of cattle.
• Prohibition on the use of hormonal and antibiotic agents in the diet and treatment of animals.
• Carrying out constant checks of compliance of products with the conditions of certification.

European French certificate, valid since 1985. Covers all stages of creation of organic products - from purchase to sale and disposal.

Requirements:

• About 95% of organic components in the composition of products.
• Control of all stages of production.
• Production and processing on the territory of EU countries.
• Prohibition on the use of unapproved inorganic components, even in extremely minimal quantities.

"Fair trade". Certificate of international trade, confirming the compliance of the products with all the standards of the international market system. It confirms that the produced products were created by workers with a standardized working day, in comfortable conditions, with decent wages, without using the system of coercion and "child labor". Thus, the document is assigned only to those products created in production, where the rights of the labor unit are not violated in any way, but are worthy.

The leading certificate of organic production in the USA.

Requirements:

• More than 95% of the components are of organic origin (except water and salt).
• Ban on the use of GMOs, radioactive substances, pesticides, preservatives, chemical fertilizers, antibiotics, synthetic substances.
• Use of exclusively organic feed.

One of the first companies that developed a collection of rules for economic activity without harming the environment. Since 1973, the company has operated one of the most important certification centers in Europe.

Requirements:

• Annual certification compliance review.
• Environmentally friendly containers and product packaging.
• More than 95% of organic components in the composition of products (in some cases, a level above 70% is allowed).
• Prohibition on the use of GMO raw material components, synthetic fertilizers in the growing process.
• Cultivation in ecologically clean zones.
• Ban on the use of synthetic, silicone, sulfate substances and oils, preservatives in the production process.
• The use of exclusively certified inorganic components in the composition of products in the smallest possible quantities.

Requirements:

• Use of components of plant origin.
• Prohibition on the use of chemical and radioactive substances, petroleum products in the process of cultivation.
• Ban on the presence of preservatives, GMOs, dyes, flavorings, polymers.
• Ecologically clean growing environment.
• Natural processing methods.
• Self-degrading biological packaging.
• Prohibition of animal testing.

The certificate confirms the compliance of the products with Muslim religious canons and norms, acceptable for the diet of the peoples of Islamic Sharia. This marking indicates products that do not contradict the Muslim faith.

Certified products:

• Food.
• Drinks
• Clothing.
• Makeup.

The certificate confirms that this product does not contradict the laws of Halacha - the Jewish faith. This certificate confirms that the meat production process was carried out in accordance with Jewish laws. Moreover, there is a list of animals whose meat cannot be used in the diet, accordingly — such products cannot be awarded a certificate.

The Kosher certificate is awarded only to ecologically clean and useful products, the consumption of which is rational.