Choosing certified organic products is an easy, natural, and practical way to care for our planet and your future. A passion for healthy, wholesome living and respect for the world around us lie at the heart of organics. Choosing certified organic products is important for anyone who is seeking a healthier way of life, and it makes it so much easier to make better choices about food and drink, health and beauty, babycare, petcare, gardening, home, office and clothing purchases.

There is currently no domestic regulation surrounding the term ‘organic’ in Australia, which means that some products labelled ‘organic’ simply may not be what they say they are. For example, a product claiming to be organic could contain as little as two percent of organic ingredients, while other ingredients could have been produced using synthetic chemicals.

However, products labelled ‘certified organic’ have been put through a rigorous certification process to ensure that they meet an approved set of standards, such as the Australian Certified Organic Standard (ACOS). This means that every certified organic farm, product, and service must have had each part of their supply chain independently and third party-verified by a certification body. This verification ensures that everything is examined, from the growth of the produce in the field, to the sourcing of additional ingredients, manufacturing, and processing procedures, all the way through to getting the products into stores. Only by choosing products labelled ‘certified organic’ can you be sure that you are buying truly organic products and supporting certified organic producers.

September is Australian Organic Awareness Month – AOAM, for short – and it is our country’s largest campaign promoting the Australian certified organic industry. Led by the peak industry body Australian Organic Limited, AOAM aims to raise awareness of certified organic products, brands, and businesses, while also educating consumers about the importance of looking for certified organic logos on their organic purchases. Join in this September by supporting your favourite certified organic brands, businesses, and retailers, and sharing your stories on social media. Visit www.whyorganic.com.au to find out more.

• Only 19 percent of chemicals are removed when washing non-organic strawberries in tap water. Toxic chemicals and pesticides are not permitted in organic foods.
• Numerous long-term trials show organic farming systems emit up to 40 percent less carbon emissions than non-organic systems.
• No more than 1,500 birds are permitted per hectare for certified organic chickens, but non-organic free range can run up to 10,000 per hectare.
• Thirty-three percent of shoppers have purchased a product, thinking it was organic based on packaging claims - only to later find it was not.
• Sixty-four percent of shoppers recognise the Australian Organic-owned ‘Bud’ certification logo.
• Seventy-seven percent of organic shoppers are now aware of certification marks, up from 59 percent in 2019.

For more information visit: www.ausorganic.com

Information presented is for information purposes only and is not intended to replace advice or treatment from qualified healthcare professionals. The information is not intended to treat or diagnose. Always consult your healthcare professional before taking nutritional or herbal supplements. If you are pregnant, breastfeeding, have any allergies or diagnosed conditions, or are taking prescription medications, always consult your healthcare professional before taking nutritional or herbal supplements.