What is organic?
Organic refers to the way agricultural products are grown and processed. Organic food production is based on a system of farming that maintains and replenishes soil fertility without the use of toxic and persistent pesticides and fertilizers.

What does "Certified Organic" mean?
"Certified Organic" means the item has been grown according to strict uniform standards that are verified by the Organic Food Development Center, China. Certification includes inspections of farm fields and processing facilities, detailed record keeping, and periodic testing of soil and water to ensure that growers and handlers are meeting the standards which have been set.

Can any type of agricultural product become certified organic?
Yes, any agricultural product that meets third-party or state certification requirements may be considered organic. Organic foods are becoming available in an impressive variety, including pasta, prepared sauces, frozen juices, frozen meals, milk, ice cream and frozen novelties, cereals, meat, poultry, breads, soups, chocolate, cookies, beer, wine, vodka and more. These foods, in order to be certified organic, have all been grown and processed according to organic standards and must maintain a high level of quality.

Who regulates the certified organic claims?
The standard for organic food has been set and is regulated by the Organic Food Development Center, China. This is an official government body which works independently.

Are all organic products completely free of pesticide residues?
Certified organic products have been grown and handled according to strict standards without toxic and persistent chemical inputs. However, organic crops are inadvertently exposed to agricultural chemicals that are now pervasive in rain and ground water due to their overuse during the past 30 years in China, and due to drift via wind and rain.

Do organic farmers ever use pesticides?
Prevention is the organic farmer’s primary strategy for disease, weed, and insect control. By building healthy soils, organic farmers find that healthy plants are better able to resist disease and insects. Organic producers often select species that are well adapted for the climate and therefore resist disease and pests. When pest populations get out of balance, growers will try various options like insect predators, mating disruption, traps, and barriers. If these fail, permission may be granted by the certifier to apply botanical or other non persistent pest controls under restricted conditions. Botanicals are derived from plants and are broken down quickly by oxygen and sunlight.

How will purchasing organic products help keep our water clean?
Conventional agricultural methods can cause water contamination. The organic farmer’s elimination of polluting chemicals and nitrogen leaching, in combination with soil building, works to prevent contamination, and protects and conserves water resources.

Why does organic food sometimes cost more?
There are two main reasons for the higher costs of organically produced food. Firstly the lower yield and secondly the higher labor – and management costs in comparison to conventionally produced food. Organic farm are not allowed to use chemical pesticides, so the yield from the fields is lower than the yield of conventional farms. Proper record keeping, monitoring, regular auditing and testing of the products also makes organic farms more labor- and management intensive than conventional farms.