What Does 'Certified Organic' Actually Mean?

In today’s world, many consumables are labelled ‘natural’ or ‘organic’ because savvy marketing departments know that these words can sell products. This is commonly called ‘greenwashing’! People are often shocked to discover that these words can be just empty promises. For switched-on consumers who want their foods and therapeutic goods to be genuinely pure and organic, the only option is to purchase goods that are certified organic. Although a dictionary definition of ‘organic’ is more broad, ‘organic’ means something very specific when used in the context most of us understand when discussing the foods and medicine choices we make. When choosing certified organics, you are choosing a product that: Is free of synthetic chemical herbicide and pesticide residues, as these are not used in the growing of organic products Has not been genetically modified Is grown and manufactured without animal testing Is grown in a way that looks after the long-term health of the ecosystem it exists within, ie. the surrounding land, water, and insect and animal life Is grown and harvested in a genuinely holistic and sustainable manner. Agencies that certify organic products and organic growers do so with an annual audit system. In New Zealand, BioGro is the largest and most well-known of these regulatory bodies. It visits farms and growers to look at all their systems and management plans, and then gives accreditation only when strict standards have been met. These standards must then be checked and maintained regularly. Kiwiherb’s relationship with BioGro stretches back to 2001 when our first products were accredited with certified organic status. Today we continue to be totally committed to organics, preferentially sourcing certified organic ingredients wherever possible, so you know that the products you’re using for your health are as clean and pure as possible. Choosing to purchase certified organic products is your only assurance that what you are buying is authentically organic. There are many cheap imitations! Deciding that organics is a priority for you and your family is a choice that ensures you are getting premium quality foods and therapeutic products, while also ensuring that these products are being produced in a way that will mean the very environment we live in will be a little better off too. In essence, when choosing certified organics, what is good for you and your family is also good for the planet! What could be better than that?