Organic quality

foodloose products like nut bars, fruit hearts and bread spread are organic. But what exactly does "organic" mean? Organic foods are foods that are produced in organic agriculture. In organic (or ecological) agriculture, food is produced in a way that protects the environment. There is no place for mineral fertilizers, genetically modified plants, artificial colorants, flavours and preservatives in the production process of organic food.

"Organic" in EU law

The term "organic" is protected within the EU and may only be used for food that comply with the EC Organic Basic Regulation of 2007 and the European implementing regulations that follow on from it. If a food fulfils these regulations, it may hold the green European organic label with the stars grouped into a leaf. The EC Eco-Basis Regulation regulates in detail what is permitted and prohibited for the production of which organic food, for example on which grounds organic mushrooms may be cultivated (e.g. on chemically untreated wood), or what quantities of manure may be used as fertilizer (170 kilograms of nitrogen per year and hectare).

Why organic?

Organic food is particularly safe for the consumer, as the rules of organic farming ensure the output of products that contain virtually no chemical residues.  As synthetic pesticides are banned in organic production, organic fruit, for example, cannot contain residues of chemical sprays or herbicides. The ban on the preventive treatment of organic farm animals with chemical medicines ensures that the risk of consuming pig antibiotics with roast pork is significantly lower than with conventional meat. Organic food also has a natural taste and is often more intense or differentiated, as organic farming does not use a growth accelerator, giving the plant more time to grow, absorb the sun's energy and soil’s nutrients. In general, organic farming takes care to produce quality rather than quantity. Organic tomatoes, for example, taste less watery than tomatoes without an organic seal. It is often easier to taste the differences between the different varieties. The natural taste of organic foods also prevents addictive effects that can be caused by food containing synthetic flavours or flavour enhancers (sometimes after eating a burger you are hungrier than before).

Good for everyone

All this makes organic food so valuable. When you buy them you not only do something good for yourself, but also promote biodiversity, as monocultures are only allowed to a limited extent in organic farming. One is committed to the welfare of animals, since the regulations for organic animal husbandry are based on the natural needs and life cycles of the animal species and therefore there is much less animal suffering in organic animal products.

By choosing an organic product you can even influence the climate in a positive way: Since nitrogen in the soil leads to the formation of nitrous oxide, a dangerous greenhouse gas, and the permitted amount of nitrogen in organic fertilizers is limited, organic products are more eco-friendly than their conventionally produced relatives. Therefore organic products live up to their name. Organic is derived from "bios", the Greek word for "life". You can say that organic food processes facilitate a permanently good life for humans, animals and plants.

Control is better

In Germany, state-approved private inspection bodies inspect organic farms. Each farm is checked at least once a year to ensure that it complies with the regulations. The costs of the inspection are borne by the farm. In other EU countries there are also state control systems or a mixture of private and state control bodies. Foodloose is also inspected once a year. After passing the test, a certificate is issued by the inspection body. Here you can download the current organic certificate of foodloose.

Different organic logos/icons and other associations

The German hexagonal organic label is synonymous with the organic label from the EU (Leaf Logo). It dates back to 2001, when there was no organic label standardised for all EU member states. German companies that comply with EU regulations on organic farming can also print it on the packaging of their products. On the packaging of our foodloose bars, fruit hearts and bread spreads we have placed both the German and the EU organic logo, as many people are still more familiar with the German organic seal than with the EU logo.

By the way, some organic farms commit themselves to even stricter production regulations beyond the EU regulations for organic farming. They organise themselves in appropriate associations and mark their products with the seal of the association. Only a company that meets the standards of the EC Organic Regulation is eligible for such an association seal. Perhaps the best-known of these associations are Bioland and Demeter. Our products contain many, sometimes very exotic ingredients (e.g. dragon fruits), which unfortunately are not available in organic or Demeter quality. Organic and Demeter seals are more relevant for fresh foods (fruit, vegetables, milk, cheese, meat). It is therefore worth taking a closer look, for example, when visiting the next weekly market: there are suppliers of Demeter or Bioland foods, suppliers of organic products and suppliers who only sell conventional foods.