Standards Australia has released for public comment a draft Australian Standard covering organic food.
The organic food industry says the standards will eventually mean consumers can confident that the organic products they choose are truly organic as the development of the Australian Standard for the organic and biodynamic industry nears completion.
The standard has been developed by a committee of key stakeholders and stipulates requirements for the production, preparation, transportation, marketing and labelling of organic and biodynamic products. It places particular emphasis on farming and management practices which promote the use of renewable resources and conservation of soil, water and energy resources.
Unprocessed products from plants, animals and fungi such as fruit, vegetables, meat, poultry, mushroom and fibres, as well as processed products such as processed food, cosmetics and skincare products which are labelled ‘organic’ are covered in the draft Standard.
Colin Blair, deputy CEO of Standards Australia, said the draft establishes minimum requirements to be met by growers and manufacturers for products that can be labelled ‘organic’ or ‘biodynamic’, creating a level playing field for growers, retailers and consumers. “At the moment, consumers looking to buy organic products have no uniform guarantee of quality and integrity. At the same time, legitimate organic farmers have no protection against the minority of growers misinterpreting or falsely claiming to follow organic agricultural practices,” Blair said.
“By establishing an agreed set of criteria for the way foods and other items labelled as ‘organic’ or ‘biodynamic’ are grown, produced, distributed and marketed, once published this new Australian Standard will clear up confusion for everyone.
The draft Australian Standard for Organic and Biodynamic Products and supporting material will be available for public comment from 21 July 2008. Members of the public and interested parties are encouraged to review the documents and provide feedback to Standards Australia by 22 September 2008.
Standards Australia is working towards publishing the Australian Standard by December 2008.
There are currently no laws regulating agricultural practice and management of domestically-sold organic products or the use of marketing claims on organic products.
To read the draft Standard, visit the Standards Australia website at www.standards.org.au and click on Drafts for Public Comment in the left hand menu.