Just stroll around any shop, and you will see that there is no place where the word “organic” does not appear on all kinds of foodstuff, ranging from apples to crackers. When shopping for Local and Organic Food in Canada, it helps to understand what “organic” means in Canada, because the rules behind the word are stricter than many people expect.
Under the Canada Organic Regime regulated by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, only products that contain 95% or more organic ingredients can use the term “organic” in the name of the product or in its advertising and can have the Canada Organic logo. Using the logo is voluntary; however, all logos should identify the certification body of the product.
The multi-ingredient foods with percentages from 70% to 95% organic are also processed specially. They are not allowed to use the logo or call themselves organic foods, but they can state the percentage of the food that is organic, for instance, “contains 80% organic ingredients”. If the percentage of organic ingredients is below 70%, it is only possible to indicate on the label which ingredients are organic. Phrases such as “made with organic ingredients” are not acceptable because they do not indicate what percentage of the food is organic.
It is wise to examine the back side of the package, too. Try to find the logo or the name of the agency providing certification and ask for help from the store’s personnel if it is required.
However, “organic” does not necessarily mean that the product is healthier. The organic label refers to the way the product was made and does not indicate its nutritiousness. Thus, the label can be added to the list of criteria which should be considered while purchasing, including freshness, price and compliance with your diet. With regard to these recommendations concerning labelling, choosing organic foods in Vancouver becomes an easy task.
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