How to Identify the Genuineness of Organic Food Products

Introduction

Everyday, the Indian market is flooded with an array of organic products that promise a healthy and natural alternative to conventional foods. However, as the variety of choices and claims made by these products increase, consumers often find themselves at a loss when it comes to verifying the authenticity of these claims. The Government of India has taken active steps to protect the rights of consumers and prevent the proliferation of fake products under the organic banner. This article aims to guide you on how to identify genuine organic food products.

How to Identify the Genuineness of Organic Food Products

1. Look for Logos

Just like how green and red dots on products signify vegetarian or non-vegetarian status, there are specific logos that can help identify authentic organic products. Here are the logos and what they signify:

Jaivik Bharat Logo

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) and other organizations have introduced the Jaivik Bharat logo to identify authentic organic products. Consumers should look for the Jaivik Bharat and FSSAI logo with the license number. This logo is a strong indicator that the product meets the national organic standards.

India Organic Logo - NPOP Certified

In addition to the Jaivik Bharat logo, the product may also carry the India Organic logo, which is an NPOP certified product. Under the National Program for Organic Production (NPOP) system, these products meet specific standards.

NPOP System: In a single ingredient product, if all requirements have been met, it may be labeled as 'Organic'. In a multi-ingredient product, if at least 95% of the ingredients are of certified organic origin, it may be labeled as 'Certified Organic'. These products must also include the name and logo of the Accredited Certification Body, Accreditation Number, and license number.

PGS-India Logo

Organic products may also carry the PGS-India logo. This Participatory Guarantee System (PGS-India) system is a parallel system that provides another layer of assurance:

PGS-India System: In a single ingredient product, if all requirements have been met, it may be labeled as 'PGS-Organic'. In a multi-ingredient product, if at least 95% of the ingredients are organic, it may be labeled as 'PGS-Organic'.

By looking for these logos, consumers can have a much higher assurance that the product has been certified according to national organic standards.

Check with Online Database

The FSSAI, in collaboration with the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) and the Participatory Guarantee System for India (PGS-India) of the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, has developed an online web-portal to consolidate information in the form of the 'Indian Organic Integrity Database'. This portal helps consumers verify the authenticity of organic food.

Jaivik Bharat Web Portal

Through this portal, consumers can access information about the producer, the certification system, and the availability of certified organic products.

Note: Even if a product does not have the Jaivik Bharat logo, it is not necessarily fake. FSSAI has permitted small organic producers with an annual turnover of over Rs 12 lakh to sell their produce directly to end consumers without the Jaivik Bharat logo until April 2020. Similarly, aggregators with an annual turnover of Rs 50 lakh have also been given this relaxation.

While these inspectors provide a layer of assurance, it is important for consumers to be vigilant. Using the logos and the online database, consumers can ensure they are purchasing genuine organic products.

Conclusion

Identifying genuine organic food products is not merely about the presence of logos. It encompasses a range of factors, including the producer's credentials, the certification process, and the use of online verification tools. By understanding these aspects, consumers can make more informed and confident choices when it comes to buying organic food products.

National Program for Organic Production (NPOP) System

The National Program for Organic Production (NPOP) system is a national certification program that aims to ensure the production and processing of organic products meet the highest standards. Under this system:

Single Ingredient Products: If all requirements have been met, the product can be labeled as 'Organic'. Multi-Ingredient Products: If at least 95% of the ingredients are of certified organic origin, the product can be labeled as 'Certified Organic'.

Participatory Guarantee System (PGS-India) System

The Participatory Guarantee System (PGS-India) system is a community-based system that aims to ensure the organic status of products. Under this system:

Single Ingredient Products: If all requirements have been met, the product can be labeled as 'PGS-Organic'. Multi-Ingredient Products: If at least 95% of the ingredients are organic, the product can be labeled as 'PGS-Organic'.

Indian Organic Integrity Data Base

The 'Indian Organic Integrity Database' is a web-portal built in collaboration with FSSAI, APEDA, and the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare. This database consolidates all the information to help consumers verify the authenticity of organic food. It provides:

Consumer Information: Access to information about producers, certification systems, and certified organic products.