Long story short
Organic production in the European Union is governed by the strict guidelines of Regulation 2018/848. Get the facts on mandatory inspections, the GMO ban, and labeling requirements that guarantee total transparency in food origin!
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A Unified Legal Framework Across the Union
Organic food production in Europe isn't just a claim—it’s a legal requirement. The primary legal act regulating this sector is Regulation (EU) 2018/848, which sets the rules for production, control, and labeling of organic products¹˙². Thanks to these harmonized laws, every product marked with the "Green Leaf" logo meets the exact same standards, regardless of where in the EU it was produced!
Mandatory Inspections and Certification
One of the cornerstones of the European system is the requirement for every operator in the supply chain to undergo inspection. Farmers, processors, and distributors are verified by authorized certification bodies at least once a year³. This system is designed to confirm that the production process complies with technical requirements at every stage—from soil preparation to final packaging.
Guidelines for Composition and Origin
According to official European Commission standards, organic food must meet specific technical criteria regarding its composition:
- Restricted Additives: In organic processing, only a strictly defined and limited list of food additives and processing aids is permitted⁴.
- GMO Ban: Organic production in the EU completely excludes genetically modified organisms (GMOs) and products produced from or by GMOs².
- Indication of Origin: It is mandatory to place information about where the agricultural raw materials were farmed (e.g., "EU Agriculture") directly under the EU organic logo, ensuring full traceability of the product¹.
The Green Leaf as the Labeling Standard
The EU organic logo is mandatory for all pre-packaged food products produced in the European Union that meet certification requirements¹. Its presence on the packaging is proof that the product has passed official verification procedures and is registered within the EU organic farming supervision system!
Sources:
¹ https://agriculture.ec.europa.eu/farming/organic-farming/organic-logo_en
² https://agriculture.ec.europa.eu/farming/organic-farming/organics-glance_en
³ https://agriculture.ec.europa.eu/farming/organic-farming/controls_en
⁴ https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX%3A32018R0848
