Organic Standards To Be Improved

Saturday, February 2nd 2002

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Standards New Zealand has just announced that it will release a draft standard defining organic food in May, with a final definition expected by December 2002.

The new standard would initially be a voluntary code, but it is expected that legislation may be needed to back it up.

It has been reported that Seagar Mason, chief executive of organic food certifier Bio-Grow, believes that up to 15% of organic produce in shops and up to 30% at markets and roadside stalls, would not meet international organic certification standards.

In April 2001, a parliamentary committee investigating organic agriculture called for a minimum standard to be set for organic produce, with a requirement that the farming be environmentally sustainable.

The committee stated that the New Zealand government had a role to protect consumers and the industry from fraudulent use of the term organic.

It is now estimated that organics earn New Zealand US$25 million a year in exports, yet occupy less than 1% of the country's cultivated land area.

The organics industry believes that overseas demand greatly exceeds New Zealand's ability to supply and it offers huge growth potential.

Leanne James from Ideal Health, a leading New Zealand health food and supplement retailer stated that she was 'pleased that a draft standard is being produced' and that her company 'fully supports any legislative organic standards, to help ensure that the public obtain high quality organic products'.

Ideal Health and their online site healthyonline, already adhere to a voluntary code to ensure that all products they sell are GMO free and Aspartame free. They stock a wide range of organic products, and actively seek out quality assurances from their suppliers to ensure that any organic products are correctly labelled.

 

If you need help or advice, you are welcome to email our naturopathic team with your health question.

Disclaimer: The health information presented here has been written for the New Zealand health consumer. It is of a general nature and is only intended to provide a summary of the subjects covered. The information is not intended to be comprehensive or to provide medical advice to you. While all care has been taken to ensure the accuracy of the information, no responsibility or liability is accepted, and no person should act in reliance on any statement contained in the information provided. All health ailments should be treated by a qualified health professional.

 

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