How to Identify Genuine Certified Organic Products

Organic products that pass certain rules of production and are checked by an approved certifier scheme are considered to be Certified Organic Products. In the UK, certification is available to producers, processors, importers, exporters, retailers, importers and distributors of organic products. This allows shoppers to track claims to an independent controlling body.

What would you look at first?

Begin with the control body code. For labelling organic products with the organic food label in the UK, this must be accompanied by a certification code such as GB-ORG-02, GB-ORG-04 or GB-ORG-05 within Great Britain. Northern Ireland will use the code X1-ORG-X2. The code indicates which approved body certified the labelling firm.

Does the organic percentage matter?

Yes. In the UK, where a food product is labelled ' organic ', it must be made of a minimum of 95% of agricultural ingredients derived from organic sources, with the remaining ingredients subject to the same organic standards. Labels should state the 'agricultural origin' of the food too, for instance UK Agriculture or Non-UK Agriculture.

Are organic logos enough to prove certification?

A logo may help, but only use it as a check, not the only one. You should be able to see the approved accreditation mark, just next to the control body code: For instance, in the UK, approved bodies are: Organic Farmers and Growers, Organic Food Federation and Soil Association Certification. Then look up the code on the GOV.UK list.

How can shoppers verify a certification code?

Search the certifier's register – find the company name, the certification number and the product details. When most of us go shopping, the certified product record is better proof than a claim on packaging or on the shop shelf. This is important because simply copying a logo or certificate does not show that a product is currently certified.

A real label enables a shopper to follow the trail of the certified product back to the certifier.

Check the code on the packaging, then find the certifier name on the register and the scope of the products for that certifier. This prevents mixing up similar names of certifying bodies. When you Buy Organic Products, check the certification information and not the buzzwords.

How can you find reliable products locally?

Start by looking for Natural Organic Products near me and compare online products with sellers – Don't make your decision based on advertised labels. Even if sellers tout their organic claims online, the product label should have enough certification info. See the control body, code, ingredients, and origin statement and compare it to the org records.

What do businesses need to check with Organic Product Exporters?

Business owners need to verify the certification and scope of the Organic Product Exporters and look for any import requirements. Guidance from the UK contains details of supported non-UK control organisations and which non-UK control bodies and countries are accepted for organic foods to Great Britain.

What are common warning signs?

When inspecting a package, be suspicious of it being labelled as organic with no control body number on the package. Watch out for spelling errors, a generic certificate name and no country of origin on the certificate, as well as the certificate not matching the purchase, the vendor or the product. A fancy logo does not mean genuine.

What should you do if a claim looks false?

Don't assume the product is organic. Get in touch with the relevant control body, which may need the product details. UK guidance permits suspected non-organic-labelled food to be reported to a control body for investigation.

Why should certification checks matter?

Certification provides proof instead of ambiguous language. It is clearer to differentiate Certified Organic Products from those that imply "organic" just by reviewing the certification information.

Can organic certification expire?

Yes, it's continuous. Organic certification is a certification that will have to be renewed regularly, so always make sure the certification is not expired.

Can I use a different marking for imported organic products?

Yes, an imported product might be certified by a recognised certification system from the country of origin. Find the relevant certification body and determine whether it is up to date.

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