Soil is the foundation of organic.
When you choose organic you act as cultivator, advocator, and supporter for organic in Canada.
Organic farming preserves healthy soil, by choosing organic you support healthier farming practices, healthier communities and a healthier planet.
Organic farming promotes biodiversity, allowing a mix of plants, animals, microorganisms and pollinators to thrive, encouraging a healthy ecosystem and soil.
Organic cares about all actors in the system, from soil to plate, it creates a healthy and fair system.
What is organic?
Organic encourages practices that increase biodiversity and reduce negative environmental impacts, while also supporting animal health and welfare. If it is a seed, animal feed, or human food in Canada, it must meet the regulated legal standards of the Canada Organic Regime (COR).The Canadian Organic Standards prohibit:
✔️ hydroponics
✔️ synthetic fertilizers and toxic, synthetic pesticides;
✔️ genetic engineering (GMOs) in seed, feed, and ingredients;
✔️ artificial colours, flavours, and preservatives;
✔️growth hormones, routine use of antibiotics, and animal cloning;
✔️ irradiation;
✔️ sewage sludge; and more.
ABOUT CERTIFICATION
Provincial or territorial organic regulations govern organic claims for products that are not bearing the Canada Organic Logo, AND are produced and sold within provincial or territorial borders. Organic products imported from countries with whom Canada has established an equivalency arrangement must be certified by a certification body accredited by that foreign country and recognized by Canada
ORGANIC STANDARDS
The Canadian Organic Standards are a detailed set of principles, guidelines, and permitted substances that are used in the organic certification process. The use of the term “organic” is governed only by federal legislation. In Ontario there is no dedicated regulation of or legislation regarding use of the term “organic.”
ORGANIC LABELLING
Multi-ingredient products that contain 95% or more organic ingredients may be labelled as organic and may display the Canada Organic logo.
Two provinces have organic logos for products that are grown or processed within those provinces. In order to use these logos, operators in Quebec and British Columbia must comply with the applicable provincial organic regulations.
Canadian store shelves carry many products which display organic logos other than the Canada Organic logo. This is often facilitated by equivalency arrangements, which Canada currently has with seven other countries: USA, Costa Rica, European Union, Japan, Switzerland, Taiwan, and United Kingdom.
