Australia's Organic Certifiers

Consumers are protected by common law in Australia if they purchase a certified organic product that displays an organic certification symbol such as the ACO Bud logo. When consumers see one of these symbols they can be sure that the product complies with the Standard AS 6000-2009 Organic and biodynamic products.

There are eight certifying bodies in Australia, all of which have their own standards. However, all these standards must act as minimum meet the baseline domestically focused AS 6000-2009, while most have additional requirement for their producers to meet. 

Why are organic products certified?

• Protects consumers against deception and fraud in the marketplace
• Protects producers of genuine organic produce against misrepresentation of conventional produce as being organic
• Ensures that all stages of production, processing and marketing are subject to inspection and meeting the predetermined requirements of the organic standard

If you wish to read the entire article, drop me a comment or email me. I can scan it to you.

Source: Article "Protecting consumers and genuine producers from fraud" in Organic Victoria magazine (http://www.organicvictoria.com.au/). 

Thanks to Malcolm McGuire, editor of Organic Victoria for allowing me to  use the materials from the magazine.

Madame Flavour - Green, Jasmine & Pear

My partner saw this product on a food magazine and decided to pick it up when spotted it on the supermarket shelf couple weeks ago. I must admit we are both drawn to the attractive artwork on the packaging. Although packaging doesn't always equate to product quality, this does somehow easily convince us that inside the box contains premium quality tea waiting for tea lovers to enjoy.

Madame Flavour - Green, Jasmine & Pear

I could still remember when I first opened it, the fragance of the tea hitted my nose instantly. "Geez...the scent is beautiful and powerful! Wow!", I said. We were filled with excitement and can't wait to have the first taste. I have to say the tea didn't let us down and it is definitely one of the best tea we ever had. Hence, here I am, writing this post, recommending this product, Madame Flavour tea. 

You can't believe how beautiful this small tea bag smells until you open the box

Although the box didn't carry an organic label but it is, in fact, certified organic by Control Union (formerly SKAL International) and The Institute for Marketecology (IMO) which you will know after you open the box. It came rather strange to me that the marketing team didn't thought of putting this great information right outside the box.


You can also see the certified organic certification from the official website and the great standards that the company holds, in delivering this good quality tea to consumers.


In times when you hear or see 'fake' food created by unscrupulous food manufacturers, it feels great and a relief to know that there are still ethical companies and people out there doing the right thing, to the people and the environment.

Good work! MF!

MF Website: http://www.madameflavour.com

OrganicExpo & Green Show International - Sydney 5-7 Aug 2011

For those in Sydney, the OrganicExpo & Green Show Internation is on this weekend at Hall 3, Sydney Exhibition Centre. Mark it in your calendar Now!

For more info, you can go to http://sydney.organicexpo.com.au/

Might get a chance to meet Kylie Kwong to ask for some cooking tips!

I can't wait to attend the Melbourne one in Oct :)

Paul's Pure Organic Low Fat Milk

I am not a big fan of milk, only have it occasionally at home. The fact that I choose certified organic milk is because my digestive system doesn't do well with all brands of milk and I don't know why. Hence buying certified organic milk is a play-safe choice as I don't have issue after drinking it and I do love the taste. 

Paul's Pure Organic Milk can be found in major supermarket.

Paul's Pure Organic Low Fat Milk

Certified by NASAA

Misleading Organic Personal Care Products

Saw this article on misleading organic personal care products. Share with you.

 

Stay health and I wish you well, my friends :)

http://generationgreen.org/2011/06/greenwash-of-the-month-does-my-hair-look-%E2%80%9Corganic%E2%80%9D-mislabeled-organic-personal-care-products/

ALDI JustOrganic Basil & Garlic Pasta Sauce

Bought this product some time ago from ALDI and I believe it costs less than $4.00. Pasta sauce comes in handy when my partner and I want to make a quick meal and making a meal quick doesn't really mean it has to suffer on nutritional value and taste. You can see the end result, our home cooked paste in the last photo. Well, given that both of us are not Masterchef candidates hence please pardon our presentation skill. The taste is really good compare to other brands. I do like this product and the second bottle is already in the kitchen cupboard =)

ACO Certified

Ingredient list

Home cooked pasta

Nature's Harvest Organic Chocolate Cookies

Nature Harvest's Organic Chocolate cookies, not commonly seen in general supermarket, I spotted this one in IGA yesterday. It is a product of New Zealand.

Organic Chocolate cookie

The word 'organic' is  used very loosely, seeing a word like 'organic' doesn't mean it doesn't contain artificial and unatural ingredients. As usual, I tend to look for certification first then having a deep dive into the ingredients. It is certified by biogro that is New Zealand leading organic certifier (http://www.biogro.co.nz).

Ingredients are all in english and no numbers!
Certified by Biogro

The price is 180g for $5.70 which is about $31 for 1 kg. Expensive? I suppose it depends on one's perspective. I know I tend to go 'crazy' when I am hungry in late noon and will just swallow anything that is in front of me. In this case, I find it worth, at least what's going into my body is not full of preservatives and colourings when I am mindless.


Well, if one can pay thousands of dollars for luxury items, expensive cars etc, why not treat our body better too? :)