Buying organic produce, meat, and other food items has increased in popularity in the United Kingdom.
According to a 2021 survey by Wren KitchensLondoners were much more likely to eat organically than other parts of the UK.
It found that 38 percent of Londoners have consciously tried to buy organic food.
Researchers said people in the South West of England were least likely to buy organic food, with only 13 percent actively so.
Price seems to play a massive part, the survey found.
When asked what would encourage people to buy more organic products, 41 percent of respondents said it would be cheaper than non-organic alternatives. Meanwhile. 19 percent said they would buy more organic products if their supermarkets provided them.
But what is organic food and organic certification, who certifies organic products, and why is organic food more expensive?
Here’s what you need to know.
Organic food refers to products grown and processed without synthetic chemicals, such as pesticides, fertilizers and genetically modified organisms (GMOs). Instead, organic farming relies on natural methods that include crop rotation, composting and biological pest control to maintain soil health and manage pests. In the case of animals, the animals are raised in conditions that promote natural behaviors, fed with organic foods, and are not treated with routine antibiotics or growth hormones.
The key principle of organic food is sustainability. Organic farming practices aim to protect the environment by maintaining biodiversity, improving soil and water quality, and reducing pollution.
Consumers choose organic products for a variety of reasons, including concerns about pesticide use, animal welfare, and environmental sustainability.
What is organic certification?
Organic certification in the UK is a process that ensures that food, agriculture and products meet strict organic standards, set by law. These standards cover how food is grown, processed and packaged. Organic farming promotes environmental sustainability, animal welfare and natural pest control.
In the UK, the key components of organic certification include:
- No synthetic chemicals: Organic farming avoids synthetic pesticides, herbicides and fertilizers, relying on natural methods such as crop rotation and composting.
- Non-GMO: Organic products cannot be made from genetically modified organisms (GMOs).
- Animal welfare: Organic livestock must be raised in environments that allow natural behaviors and with access to the open air. The animals are fed organic food and cannot be routinely treated with antibiotics or growth hormones.
- Sustainability: Organic practices aim to preserve the health of the soil, biodiversity and the ecosystem.
Who certifies organic products?
To use the term “organic” in the United Kingdom, producers and farmers must be certified by one of the certification bodies approved by the Government. These include:
- Soil Association: The largest and best-known certification body in the United Kingdom, which sets standards often above Government regulations.
- Organic Farmers and Growers (OF&G)
- Biodynamic Association: He specializes in biodynamic agriculture, which goes beyond the organic by incorporating spiritual and cosmic principles.
- Welsh Food Quality Certification and others.
- Products labeled “organic” must contain at least 95 percent organic ingredients.
- Organic producers are inspected at least once a year to maintain certification.
In general, organic certification in the UK ensures that products meet high environmental and ethical standards.
Why is organic food more expensive?
Tighter manufacturing lines, lower yields, longer production times, higher certification costs, and restricted distribution and scale explain the higher price of organic food.
However, organic food is said to be more beneficial for the environment and people.
According to the Soil Associationorganic farming consumes less energy and produces less emissions. It also reduces the likelihood of soil and river pollution and increases the amount of carbon captured and stored.
Despite their reputation for being healthy and nutritious, some research reveals that there isn’t much to it nutritional difference between conventional and organic meals.