Organic food is food that has been grown or produced in accordance with European regulations on organic production and has been independently certified. The benefits lie primarily in the production method and the transparency behind it, not in any proven nutritional benefit.
In this overview, you can read exactly what ‘organic’ means, how to recognise it, and which benefits can and can’t be backed up. For more on this, take a look at two follow-up articles: one on how organic farming works, and one on which products people often choose to buy organic.
What is organic food?
Organic food is food that complies with the European Regulation on organic production and has been inspected by an independent body. In the Netherlands, SKAL Biocontrole carries out this certification; you can recognise approved products by the EU logo, a leaf formed by white stars.
The regulations set out what is and isn’t permitted. Organic farming does not use synthetic pesticides or artificial fertilisers, and no genetically modified organisms are involved. Stricter requirements also apply to additives and animal husbandry than in conventional production. The term ‘organic’ is legally protected: it may only appear on a label if the product complies with these rules. If you’d like to know exactly how this form of farming works in practice, read our explanation of organic farming.
Is organic food healthier or more nutritious?
There is no clear scientific evidence that organic food is healthier or more nutritious than conventionally produced food. The differences identified in studies are small and inconsistent, so ‘healthier’ or ‘more nutritious’ is not a valid conclusion.
This is important to know, because it is precisely on this point that many sources make exaggerated claims. If you choose organic, it is primarily a choice about the way the food is produced and monitored. This is different from ruling out conventionally farmed food altogether: you can still eat very healthily that way too.
So what are the benefits of organic food?
The benefits of organic food lie in the production methods and transparency, not in any proven nutritional value. In practical terms, the organic label means that a product has been produced according to fixed, verifiable rules.
- No synthetic pesticides or artificial fertilisers. Organic farming operates without these substances; a small number of natural plant protection products are permitted only under strict conditions.
- No genetic modification. Genetically modified organisms (GMOs) are not permitted in the organic supply chain.
- Animal welfare rules. Organic livestock must meet requirements relating to, amongst other things, space, access to the outdoors and organic feed.
- Soil management requirements. These include crop rotation and limiting the use of artificial inputs, as laid down in the rules governing the certification mark.
- Independent inspection. Certification by a body such as SKAL ensures that a product lives up to the label’s claims.
These points are factual characteristics of the production method. The label indicates how a product is made and inspected, not that it is automatically healthier or better for the environment.
How can you recognise organic products?
You can recognise organic food by the EU organic logo featuring a cluster of stars and by a certification code on the packaging. In the Netherlands, this is often accompanied by a code number from SKAL, the organisation responsible for supervision.
As ‘organic’ is a protected term, a product may not be labelled as such without valid certification, not even using derivatives such as ‘bio’ or ‘eco’ that refer to the protected term. Terms such as ‘natural’, ‘pure’ or ‘unsprayed’, on the other hand, are not legally defined; on their own, they say nothing about organic certification. If you’d like to know which products people often consciously choose to buy organic, read 5 foods you should always buy organic.
Who is organic food a good choice for?
Organic food is a good fit for anyone who values the way food is produced: animal welfare, traceable origins and cultivation without synthetic pesticides and artificial fertilisers. It is a choice based on these principles, not on a promise of better nutritional value.
You don’t have to choose an all-or-nothing approach. Many people buy some of their groceries organically and the rest conventionally, depending on their budget, availability and what matters most to them.
Why does Ekopura use organic ingredients?
Wherever possible, Ekopura opts for certified organic ingredients because this choice stands for a verifiable production method and transparency about origin. This reflects our guiding principle: everything your body needs, nothing it doesn’t.
Not every supplement consists of ingredients that are available organically, so not everything in our range carries the organic label. Wherever possible, we do use organic ingredients. In our article on organic protein powder, you can read about what an organic raw material actually means for the product’s composition.
Frequently asked questions about organic food
What does the EU organic label mean?
The star symbol means that a product complies with European regulations for organic production and that this has been verified by an independent body. The label may not be used without this certification.
Is ‘organic’ the same as ‘natural’ or ‘unsprayed’?
No. ‘Organic’ is a legally protected and certified term, whereas ‘natural’, ‘pure’ and ‘unsprayed’ are not. Only the label guarantees that organic regulations have been followed.
Can organic food contain pesticides?
Organic farming does not use synthetic chemical pesticides. A limited number of natural plant protection products are permitted under strict conditions; these are different from the synthetic products used in conventional farming.
Is organic food more expensive?
Often, yes. This is partly due to more labour-intensive cultivation, a lower yield per hectare and the costs of certification and inspection. Whether the extra cost is worth it depends on what you value most about the production method.
Ekopura uses certified organic ingredients wherever possible. Our organic whey, organic casein, organic vitamin C and organic Vegan Protein all carry the organic certification mark. You can find our full range in the shop, and read more background information on our knowledge blog.
