As consumers we have the right to choose the products that satisfy our needs. To be able to make the right choice we need to have access to clear and correct information. This applies to all the different purchases we make and thus also when we shop for food products.
Nowadays, most consumers are increasingly becoming aware of the importance of a healthy lifestyle. When choosing food items, we should also be aware of how the products we choose are grown and, when consumed, what the impact on our health and the environment we live in is.
Climate change and environment awareness have been placed at the top of the political agenda of EU member states and of other industrialised countries .
An increasing number of consumers are now opting for organic food. In EU member states this has propelled the importation of organic food from non-EU member states.
The difficulties most consumers face when buying these products is understanding their labels and hence making sure that there are health benefits.
What does organic mean?
Organic refers to the way wholesome fruits, vegetables and agricultural products are grown and processed under competent supervision. Hence, to be labelled organic, the product must be grown and processed according to specific rules and regulations, also referred to as Organic Standards.
These standards cover the whole food chain, i.e. all aspects of food products, from animal welfare and wildlife conservation, to food processing and packaging. In fact, organic farming is not just growing food without synthetic pesticides. It also includes wide crop rotation as a prerequisite for efficient use of on-site resources.
Organic farmers must be certified and registered and have to follow a set of good agricultural practices that take into account the following principles: health of the farmer, consumer, plants and animals; ecology – the environment and enhancing methods that respects the climate; care, which incorporates the banning of cruelty of animals and respecting their welfare, esuring they are bred on free-range grounds; and fairness, i.e. good value for money and that production costs do not cover any hidden charges like what is being done in conventional agriculture.
Organic farmers also have the obligation to choose plant and animal species that are highly resistant to disease. Respect by farmers for the environment is also fundamental.
The organic farmer must use energy and natural resources in a responsible and sustainable way.
Understanding organic food labels
When shopping for organic food in the EU, consumers should look out for the EU organic logo, very often referred to as the ‘Euro leaf’. This logo cannot be used on non-organic products.
The use of the logo indicates that the product for sale is in full conformity with the conditions and regulations of the organic farming sector established by the EU. For processed products it means that at least 95 per cent of the agricultural ingredients are certified as organic.
Next to the EU organic logo consumers should find information about the place where the agricultural raw material used in the product has been farmed and a code number of the control authorities shows traceability of the organic producer.
In Malta, the competent authority on organic farming is the Ministry for Resources and Rural Affairs. The Malta Competition and Consumer Affairs Authority is the local certification body which carries out inspections and certifications to ensure that farmers producing organic food are meeting the required standards.
More information, including a list of local organic producers, can be found at http://www.mccaa.org.mt/en/organic-farming.
odette.vella@mccaa.org.mt
Odette Vella is senior information officer, Office for Consumer Affairs, Malta Competition and Consumer Affairs Authority.