Organic, fairtrade, regional? What is behind the seals of quality?
Food manufacturers advertise on their packaging not only with colorful slogans and appealing images, but also with a variety of seals that promise special quality. For consumers, it seems almost impossible to keep track of the confusing seal jungle. It therefore clarifies which criteria, controls, quality standards and how much credibility really are behind the individual seals.
Why quality labels?
Actually, quality seals on food should be the customer Orientation when buying provide a quick overview of the diverse product range. Seals are basically a very good thing: they allow you to Choose products that match your values and requirements.
What sounds great in theory is destroyed in practice by a veritable seal inflation. Over 1000 different quality seals There are in Germany and only a few of them are based on legal foundations. Many companies create their own labels to give the impression of high quality without actually adhering to legally binding standards. These seals are therefore nothing more than beautiful ornaments and can contribute little to the purchase decision. Here are some of the seals of approval on food that are compliant with various guidelines.
That promises the EU organic seal
The green rectangle with the white sheet is probably one of the best-known seals of approval and is now laughing at us in the discounter of more and more food packaging. The EU organic seal has been one since 2010 mandatory labeling for all EU-packaged foodstuffs containing an indication of organic quality in their name. Products designated as such must comply with legally binding minimum requirements.
The seal becomes the Compliance with the European Eco-Regulation guaranteed, which prescribes a set of criteria. These include one Production without genetic engineering, animal welfare and feeding as well as cultivation without chemical-synthetic pesticides and fertilizers, In addition, only a fraction of the additives are allowed, which are used in conventional goods.
In addition to complying with these requirements, foodstuffs must also indicate whether the ingredients come from EU or non-EU agriculture. Participating establishments are inspected at least once a year by officially approved private inspection bodies and randomly selected random samples are taken. The code number of the body which carried out the inspection must also be indicated on the product in order to ensure transparency.
Additional: Organic according to EC Organic Regulation
Often there is another hexagonal symbol on organic products besides the EU seal. That's actually it obsolete state organic seal, It existed before the EU-wide standardization and guarantees the same standards. Together with the EU seal, it is only used because of its high recognition value, although it is actually superfluous.
Problems & criticism
On the biggest criticism is the EU-Bio-Siegel, as it is in his demands not consistent and strict enough is. For example, one is ecological and conventional management on the same farm possible. It is questionable whether the chemical fertilizers really know exactly where the organic field begins. The seeds used for organic products may also be conventional under certain circumstances.
Furthermore, the Requirements for animal welfare partly very spongy and can not guarantee animal welfare. The differences in comparison to large German organic associations here are enormous, in chickens, for example, the EU seal allows twice the number of animals per area.
Since regional products are not given priority for the EU organic label, especially cheap organic products are often used from far away, Those who want to shop sustainably should always keep an eye on their region of origin.
More organic seals
German farming associations set high ecological standards that go beyond the state criteria and cover additional areas. For example, one of the big associations is one Total conversion required, no pesticides or artificial fertilizers may be used and fewer additives are permitted.
Naturland
Especially regarding Animal husbandry and food Naturland has much stricter rules than the EU organic standard. This concerns, for example, run out for laying hens, pasture for dairy cows and also the number of animals per area. In addition, Naturland is also committed to social standards such as the prohibition of child labor and the protection of human rights.
There is constant quality control of the Naturland farms by a state-approved, independent organic inspection body. Naturland is active worldwide and one of the largest organic farming associations.Therefore, also international and large companies are included.
Demeter
The strictest guidelines for organic farming in Germany and thus the most sustainable form of agriculture offers Demeter. Here is based on the biodynamic principle grown and therefore the entire farm has to change its business to this form of agriculture.
Due to the holistic approach, livestock farming at Demeter is compulsory and it will be Compost and spray preparations from medicinal plants, bovine manure and minerals used. There is also one species-appropriate and nature-appropriate animal husbandry prescribed and also the animal feed must have organic quality. Also additives are strictly regulated, Demeter allows least of all federations here. Demeter operations are audited annually by state-approved, independent inspection bodies.
Bioland
Bioland is the largest ecological cultivation association in Germany, Here is after the Recycling working, for example, animal manure from their own livestock is used to supply the soil with nutrients. Bioland puts its focus on the regional origin Products: Members are mainly domestic producers and small businesses. To the kept animals must at least 50% feed from your own farm be fed. In addition, the requirements for animal husbandry are higher than for the EU label, especially with regard to the limits of transport routes to the slaughterhouse.
Bioland producers are audited with and without notification by independent, state approved inspectors and there are also feed controls.
Organic brands of supermarkets
Many supermarkets have their own organic brands, for example K-Bio (Kaufland) or Rewe-Bio.
These are mostly based on the state organic seals and thus guarantee compliance with the minimum standards. Since Bio is a protected term, these minimum requirements must be met by every product so designated. In the meantime, some supermarkets are working together with associations, and the seal of the association is printed on the products in question. Here, the consumer really finds the quality of the upscale organic class.
In summary
Basically you can say that Organic always better as conventional? for animals, environment and climate. The state organic seal sets the minimum requirements and stands out clearly from conventionally produced foods. If you want more, you can best use the products of the farming associations.
That promises the Fairtrade seal
Fair trade means that social as well as ecological and economic criteria are met. There are fair wages as well as further support for the farmers and long-term supply relationships, It will also open regulated working conditions respected, unions are promoted and child labor is prohibited. Fixed minimum prices above the world market level ensure a stable payment of the farmers.
In addition to laying down these social and economic conditions, Fairtrade products also target one ecological cultivation respected. Certain pesticides are therefore prohibited and no genetically modified seed is used. However, these regulations do not yet meet the organic standards, if you value it, you should look for products with both seals. There are also annual independent audits and unannounced spot checks for compliance with Fairtrade standards.
Problems & criticism
It is often criticized on the Fairtrade seal that by the high surchargethat consumers are paying, little really arrives at the producers? the supermarkets here so an extra merit abzwacken. To get the seal is also just one A minimum of 20 percent of fair traded ingredientsn necessary. However, the ingredients that are traded fairly are always visible directly on the packaging.
Another criticism is the so-called quantity compensation, For products bearing this word, it may happen that, despite the seal, there are no fair-trade commodities at all. Why? Raw materials like cocoa or sugar can in some cases processed, stored or transported together with conventional ingredients become. This is because otherwise it would not be possible for Fairtrade farmers to sell to large markets due to the often low production volumes. Here, everyone has to decide for themselves whether he considers such measures to be justified or not.
This is promised by the Marine Stewardship Council
The MSC is putting one Environmental standard for sustainable fisheries, It only certifies fisheries that exploit wild stocks and works with independent assessors. It is checked whether the fisheries are intact ecosystem leave behind, taking into account current and future impacts. Furthermore, it is evaluated whether the Fish stock always in good condition and also the impact of fisheries on the whole Habitats in the sea (for example, unwanted by-catch) are considered.
For a fishery to be certified, all management must be focused on further reducing its impact on the fished ecosystem. There are a total of 28 performance indicators to assess the sustainability of fisheries, which are reviewed annually.
Problems & criticism
At organizations like Greenpeace, the Marine Stewardship Council is constantly under criticism. It's all about the Transparency and quality of certifications, This is because the standards are sometimes very vague and from the fisheries as well only 60-80% have to be fulfilledto get a certification.
Research has also shown that too Fisheries with destructive fishing methods such as bottom-to-bottom trawl or high bycatch certification. And also for the future is not enough provided: many fish stocks are overfished despite many years of fishing by certified companies.
That promises the Without genetic engineering seal
Especially at animal products is the Without GMO seal relevant. Because these are exempted from the labeling obligation, a feeding with genetically modified plants must therefore not be identified. If a product bears the seal, it is guaranteed that no genetically modified feed were used.
The seal can also be found on processed foods in rare cases. It is then ensured that besides ingredients from genetically modified plants also no substances like Vitamins or enzymes contained by genetic engineering.
The seal is issued by the German Association for Non-Genetic Genetic Engineering (e.V.) and monitored by the food inspectorate of the federal states.
Problems & criticism
With animal products must be noted that the animals only for a certain period during the fattening without genetic engineering must be fed and not at birth. In general, organic products are also always a better alternative, as they are generally free of genetic engineering and additionally meet other guidelines.
Since the labeling with the Without GMO seal is voluntary, it is not yet possible for the consumer to recognize all GMO-free products. Many companies also make their own seals, creating a large confusion arises. A uniform labeling requirement would therefore be welcome.
That promises the regional window
To mark the regional origin of food and plants, the regional window was introduced in 2014. To get this seal, the Main ingredients of a product 100% from the specified region come.
In addition, on the regional window the Place of processing of the product. The consumer can be so sure that the food did not travel long distances. In order to be able to print the regional window on its products, an enterprise must be verified by the carrier association Regionalfenster e.V. This is followed by annual inspections by various control institutes.
Problems & criticism
Concerning the regionality can be criticized that only at least 51% for composite products The ingredients must come from the specified region to obtain the seal. Moreover, for meat products, the animals do not have to spend their entire lives in the region, but instead only the fattening phase.
The labeling with the regional window is voluntary, so it does not guarantee a uniform overview for the consumer. By many own seals of the producers the meaning is blurred and little clarity created.
That promises the animal protection label
The animal welfare label issued by the German Animal Welfare Association guarantees a Production according to certain animal welfare standards, The two levels marked by yellow stars represent the entry level and the premium level, both of which are well above the legal minimum standard.
In the entry level classified farms provide the animals more space and employment opportunities, this can be achieved without major alterations and thus does not mean a sharp price increase. For the premium level are additional ejectors required. The exact specifications differ again depending on the species. In both stages is the journey time Limited and there are fixed rules for the Anesthesia at slaughter.
Companies wishing to wear the animal welfare label must be licensed for a fee and unannounced inspections take place at least twice a year. Here are the criteria for posture, transport and slaughter also the Behavior and physical condition controls the animals.
Problems & criticism
The Animal Welfare Label also criticizes the fact that a uniform, state-owned logo, which informs obligingly about the conditions of meat production, would provide a better overview. Therefore, it is also criticized that in many supermarkets not enough meat products offered with the seal become.
There are some overlaps with the organic label, with organic certification placing more emphasis on environmental aspects, while the animal welfare label focuses entirely on animal welfare.
A look through the label jungle
The featured food seals offer all good clues for those who want to make their consumption more ecological and fairer or value animal welfare. As a big problem, the crystallized voluntary basis most of the seals out. This results in a use that is not consistent and so can never make a comparison of all offered products possible. Own seals of the companies add to the confusion.
It is therefore recommended to learn about the standards that you value personally, Company-owned seals must always be viewed critically, while independent institutions and associations are informed in detail about the underlying regulations. Trust in the store only the seals you know about and do not fall for the marketing seal.
For conscious and enlightened purchase decisions can only mandatory seals care that are consistent. The EU-wide organic label is a good start and guarantees a minimum standard for organic farming. Something similar would also be conceivable for regionality, fair trade and animal welfare.
