Euro-leaf to indicate organic status

SOMETIMES it is difficult to tell if the food you are buying is really organic, but that is set to start changing from today.

Shoppers will begin to see the Euro- Leaf logo in their shops and super-markets which will indicate if a product meets tough organic standards.

This logo is intended to give a boost to the organic farming sector while also enhancing consumer protection, so that people know exactly what they are buying.

European Union Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development Dacian Ciolos, said the hope is that the new logo can develop into a widely recognised symbol of organic food production across the EU.

It will provide consumers with confidence that the goods are produced entirely in line with the strict EU organic farming regulations, he said.

The rules also include compulsory information on the place of origin of the products’ ingredients and the code number of the controlling body.

Other private, regional and national logos can continue to appear alongside the EU label.

For the time being, unpacked food and food produced outside the EU will not have to include the logo. Food producers have a two-year transition period to comply with these new labelling rules.

Another change is the introduction of EU rules for organic aquaculture for the first time.

The logo, designed by German student Duran Malenkov, emerged as the winner of an online poll, following a competition aimed at art students.

The “Euro-leaf” design shows the EU stars in the shape of a leaf making two clear messages for consumers: Nature and Europe.