Health and Fitness

Is Australian Certified Organic Food Different than Organic Products?

Brisbane organic fruit

Food marketing has given rise to various terms like organic, non-GMO, all-natural, organic, and certified organic. However, it might be challenging for an individual to know if the food in-store is actually organic or just a marketing gimmick. In Australia, the ACO certification body brings the assurance of integrity for such products through stringent testing and approval processes. However, organic foods might be different than certified organics in Australia on various parameters.

Understanding the Term Organic

Organic refers to the ingredients or plants grown, processed, and harvested without the utilization of synthetic chemicals and pesticides. It includes fumigants, fungicides, herbicides, and insecticides. As per the ACCC (Australian Competition and Consumer Commission), brands are restricted from giving false, deceptive, and misleading claims about the organic status of their products.

How are Certified Organic Foods Different from Organics?

With a third-party certification process in place, certified products offer an assurance of purity and integrity. And, there are seven approved companies to testify and provide certification to foods, including:

  • AUS-QUAL Limited (Aus-Qual)
  • Australian Certified Organic (ACO)
  • Bio-Dynamic Research Institute (Demeter)
  • Organic Food Chain (OFC)
  • Tasmanian Organic-dynamic Producers (TOP)
  • Safe Food Production Queensland (SFPQ)
  • National Association for Sustainable Agriculture, Australia (NASAA)

However, certification requirements might change with time, with the Australian government willing to improve food quality. Presently, companies don’t need to be certified to get their products labeled organic.

The certification ensures that organic products like fruits, poultry, and vegetables are rich in essential minerals, omega 3, and vitamins. And you can buy organic fruit in Brisbane with a label from one of these companies to ensure you are eating healthy and risk-free.