New EU Organic Logo
New labelling regulations for pre-packed organic food and beverage products produced within the EU came into force on 1st July. The new European organic logo, 12 stars in the shape of a leaf, will identify goods which have been produced in line with EU organic farming regulations.
New organic products must now carry the logo but the industry has until 1 January 2012 before existing labels need to be changed.
Under the EU's new regulations, products can only be labelled as organic if:
• At least 95 per cent of the product's ingredients of agricultural origin have been organically produced
• The product complies with the rules of the official inspection scheme
• The product has come directly from the producer or preparer in a sealed package
• The product bears the name of the producer, the preparer or vendor and the name or code of the inspection body
• The product does not contain GMOs
