So What is Organic?

With allergies on the increase and sensitivities to synthetics becoming life threatening,we are looking for products which aren't going to make us sneeze or break out in rashes or irritate our children's sensitive skin. We scan the supermarket and health food store shelves and find there is a huge range of products on our shelves that claim to be "all natural" and "organic", but are they?

When it comes to skin care or body products, the ingredients used are generally derived from plants. We want to know that these plants have been grown or farmed in such a way that they are not laced with chemicals, pesticides or hormones, which subsequently leech into our skin and cause us harm.

Organic farming means farming in a way that cares for the environment, without relying upon synthetic chemicals and other unnatural interventionist approaches to farming and food production. Hence, organic food comes from organic farms utilising the best of both traditional agriculture and modern techniques.

Rather than using synthetic pesticides to kill pests, farmers prevent pests by planting a diverse range of crops, by rotations, using natural biological and environment friendly applications, and conserving natural ecosystems. This means no artificial pesticides, no herbicides, no hormones and no growth promotants that have questionable place in our aim to maintain healthy bodies.

The same logic of natural and preventative health management (rather than reactive disease management) is applied to GMOs, or Genetically Modified Organisms, that the organic industry prohibits in the production of organic foods. With many safe and proven forms of farming already available, the organic farmer believes it is important to allow Mother Nature to provide us with food the way nature intended. For organically processed foods and personal care products, only minimal processing is permitted, with a limited number of non-agricultural but natural or traditional ingredients allowed. Hence no synthetic chemicals, unnatural dyes, colourings, flavourings or other additives are permitted.

Now you know how they grow it, but how do you know the farmer is following the rules. You look for the Certification Logo on the packaging.

SO WHAT IS CERTIFICATION? The certification program was set up in the 1980s by the BFA to ensure that what was claimed to be organic was just that. It required an independent set of Standards and an independent team of assessors (known as auditors) to ensure that farmers, processors and others in the production chain were complying with the rules and regulations laid down by the organic community.

To obtain organic certification for a product, a minimum of 95% of all ingredients of agricultural origin must be certified organic. The remaining 5% of ingredients however are also bound by strict guidelines. They are, for example, not permitted to be synthetic chemicals or artificially processed ingredients.

There are two levels or categories to certification: Farmers require a minimum of three years of organic management before they can carry a certification stating "Organic". There is a transitionary certificate called "In Conversion to Organic" which can be borne after the first 12 months of organic production until the three-year period is complete. In both instances, foods bearing either label confirm that those products are being produced organically.

SO WHO MONITORS THE MONITORS? The BFA, via its certification arm, is strictly scrutinised both nationally and internationally by organisations such as AQIS ? the Australian Quarantine Inspection Service as well as IFOAM ? the International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements, and other international government authorities. There are no substitutes or half-measures in organic farming and production. The BFA is a not-for-profit co-operative, owned by its members, which ensures that the true interests of the organic community are maintained and upheld.

SO WHY PURCHASE CERTIFIED ORGANIC PRODUCTS? Every time you purchase certified organic products you are investing in the future of your country, its hard-working and caring farmers and their families. This is a future we can ill afford to ignore. We have the power to make a difference. One thing we can do every day to support our sustainable agricultural future is to purchase certified organic products.

Of course the personal health and wellbeing benefits of organic products are well documented. No wonder this industry is growing at the rate it is. People around the world are awakening to a realisation of what they have been missing out on for decades.

The benefits of certified organic products and processes:

* Independent third-party guarantee of quality, and purity of ingredients.

* Safe, clean and potent plant extracts of high vitality.

* Sustainable agriculture that respects, supports and nurtures the complete ecology and energy of our planet.

* Authenticity and integrity of organic and natural claims.

*Prevention of damage to the environment and humans by the poisonous chemicals used in conventional agriculture.

While 'natural' and 'organic' claims abound, the only way you can be sure is by using a fully certified organic range of products. Many may claim to use organic ingredients, but none have achieved third party independent certification without the display of the Certified Organic Logo.

Michelle Wollaston is a wellness consultant and distributor of the world's 1st range of Certified Organic products. For more information on these products please visit http://www.miessenceorganic.com For more articles please send an email to borganic@bigpond.com. This article can be reprinted freely provided it is published in its entirety

---

Stammering Or Stuttering

Stammering or as it is sometimes known as stuttering is... Read More

Discover The Missing Key to Improving Your Health

Do you know the top ten causes for death? You... Read More

Holistic Methods: Hemp Seed Oil and Aromatherapy in Steamboat Springs, Colorado

Aromatherapy is a well known holistic method for healing, but... Read More

Aspergers Syndrome and its Symptoms

Asperger's syndrome is a condition common in young children who... Read More

Getting More out of Your Massage with a Epsom Bath Afterwards!

As a massage therapist, I often recommend taking a Hot... Read More

Treating West Nile Virus with High Quality St. Johns Wort

West Nile Virus, although new to the U.S., is well-documented.... Read More

Mindfulness and Pain: Just Say Ouch

What's the best way to manage pain?Just say ouch.That's a... Read More

Inflammatory Arthritis: Alternative Treatments

There are two main types of arthritis: inflammatory arthritis and... Read More

Quit Smoking

Consider this:Already since 1972, over 60 million people in the... Read More

Setting Up Your Office For Health

If you work and are spending one third to one... Read More

Alzheimer?s Patients And Verbal Abuse: How To Deal With It

Abuse of any kind is difficult to deal with. Types... Read More

Flax Seeds, Seeds, and Nuts For Constipation Relief

Here are a variety of home remedies for constipation using... Read More

Why is Prevention So Important?

One of the least known and least practiced aspects of... Read More

Ayurveda: A Natural Health 101 Article

What It IsAyurveda is the traditional medical system of sub-continental... Read More

The Making of Essential Oils ? Steam Distillation, Absolutes, and CO2s Explained

Aromatherapy Goes 'High Tech'New methods of essential oil extraction are... Read More

Garlic ? My Favorite Healing Herb

Garlic is a wonderful healing herb and, unlike many of... Read More

Injured Athletes and Acupuncture

I have always been amazed at the clinical results that... Read More

Exploring the Mystery of Aromatherapy Through Biotechnology

Aromatherapy originated in Ancient Egypt. About a hundred years ago,... Read More

Genital Herpes - Natural and Alternative Treatment Remedies

Modern medical science has not been able to produce a... Read More

Bling Therapy - Healing with Gemstones

From jeweled necklaces to ankle bracelets, and all the tops... Read More

An Udderly Ricidulous Home Remedy

Home Remedies - Facts or Quacks?That's what I recently asked... Read More

Quantum Biology and Its Uses for Aromatherapy

Bel'Air has brought in cutting edge medical technology from Europe... Read More

Air Purifiers And Air Filters Can Help The Health Of Allergy And Asthma Sufferers

Indoor air pollution in the form of dander, dust and... Read More

Our New Years Resolution ? Get Rid of The Toxins in our Lives

It is hard to believe, almost unthinkable. Everyday we are... Read More

Plantar Warts Treatment - Is There A Natural Medication Which Gets Rid Of Plantar Warts?

Plantar Warts are growths which occur on the bottom of... Read More

Alternative Medicine vs Conventional Medicine - Part 1

The term 'alternative medicine' that is so commonly used today... Read More

Breathing Your Way To Health

Breathing, yes of course we do it, if not we'd... Read More

How To Have Optimal Health and Energy: Seven Key Steps

Hello!Alan Allard here?You have my respect for taking action to... Read More

Hemorrhoids ? What Do I Need To Do?

There are many unpleasant symptoms and diseases associated with constipation.... Read More

Cure for Shingles

Shingles is a patch of painful blisters that appear on... Read More

Homeopathy

Homeopathy is a form of alternative medicine used for over... Read More

A Rose is Not Just a Rose

The rose is perhaps one of the most powerful symbols... Read More

Stage Hypnosis Vs Hypnotherapy - Understanding The Difference

We've all seen them, right? The stage hypnotist, who makes... Read More