Holistic Bliss: Are You Buying Certified Organic?

In a nutshell, Certified Organic labeling is your guarantee that a food item or product is compliant with National and International Certified Organic standards. This means that synthetic chemicals and additives were not used during the manufacturing or farming stage and that sustainable farming and manufacturing practices were adhered to.

It takes years for a manufacturer or producer to be entitled to a Certified Organic Classification and they must undergo plenty of rigorous initial and ongoing testing and checking to qualify.

As well as being good for you, buying Certified Organic products and produce is an investment in Australia's farmers and agricultural producers and ensures that you are buying products that are being farmed and manufactured sustainably, so it is good for our environment and wildlife as well.

Whether it is the products that you put onto your skin or the food that you put into your mouth, nasty chemicals and synthetic substances seep into our bloodstream and can slowly but surely do damage to our body's optimal levels of health. Buying Certified Organic skincare products and food is one of the best health advantages you can give to yourself.

How Do I Know If It's Certified Organic?

To identify if a product is Certified Organic, ensure the product or produce contains one of the following 'bud' labels:

• ACO - Australian Certified Organic
• NASAA - National Association for Sustainable Agriculture, Australia
• USDA - United States Department of Agriculture
• JAS - Japan
• BIO - Germany
• AB - France

Why Certified Organic Is Better:

• It's Tested - Certified Organic is your guarantee that the product and manufacturer are being regularly tested and checked to ensure compliance with the National Certified Organic standards
   
• It's Good for people -Certified Organic products and food do not contain artificial and synthetic chemicals. Certified Organic fruit and vegetables have been shown in a number of studies to contain more vitamins, nutrients and antioxidants than non-organic food.
   
• It's Good for the environment - Certified Organic produce is free from synthetic chemical inputs such as fertilisers, pesticides, antibiotics, food additives, genetically modified organisms, irradiation and the use of sewage sludge. Certified Organic produce needs to be grown on farmland that has been free of chemicals for a number of years. The farming process must also use traditional methods of crop rotations to ensure fertility and weed and pest control.
   
• It's Good for animals Certified Organic production methods ensures priority is given to the best management of local wildlife.
   
• It's Safe - Certified Organic food is produced without GMOs (Genetically Modified Organisms) which are prohibited in the BFA standards for Certified Organic food, farming and production.

Kylie Drury

16 July 2009