What does being organic certified mean?
In today’s conscientious market, organic principles are increasingly held in high regard, championing not only the avoidance of chemical pesticides and fertilisers, but also a holistic approach to environmental sustainability. At the heart of authenticating these principles lies organic certification. At The Coconut Company, we use organic certification to give you peace of mind. But what does it really mean?
This article delves into what it means to be organic certified, particularly under the rigorous standards set by the Soil Association, the UK's leading organic certification body. We will explore the criteria, process and benefits of obtaining this certification, shedding light on its significance for producers, consumers and the planet.
Understanding organic certification
Organic certification is a rigorous process that endorses products as genuinely organic, according to established legal standards. It encompasses a detailed framework of rules governing farming practices, animal welfare (where relevant), and production processes, aiming to sustain the health of the soil, animals and people.
Organisations such as the Soil Association in the UK play a pivotal role in this system. They not only set these standards, often exceeding legal requirements, but also ensure adherence through regular inspections and audits. They work with other certification bodies globally to ensure practices are aligned and connect with UK Port Health to ensure each import into the country has the correct paperwork that’s been validated throughout the shipment.
The certification process involves several steps: application, evaluation of practices, and ongoing compliance checks. This ensures that from the soil to wherever you buy your organic food, every element conforms to strict organic guidelines. By upholding these standards, certifying bodies like the Soil Association maintain the integrity of organic labelling. Did you know, its illegal to apply the word ‘organic’ to your food packaging or marketing material if you do not hold the relevant licences! Organic certification enables you to trust your purchases are chemical free, while having less impact on the environment where the food is produced.
Traceability from farm to fork
At The Coconut Company, every step of the journey from each organic farm, through to shipment and onto your table, is meticulously documented to ensure the utmost quality and integrity. Being certified by the Soil Association guarantees that all our products, from our flavourful coconut aminos to our natural coconut sugar, are fully traceable. This traceability begins the moment a coconut is picked, or the tree is tapped for sap.
When you select any of our organic coconut products, we can pinpoint exactly when and where that batch was produced, and detail its journey to your hands. This transparency is possible because we collaborate exclusively with farms that are not only organically certified but typically hold the BRC (British Retail Consortium) Global Standard for Food Safety as well. These farms undergo rigorous audits and must meet standards equivalent to those in the UK, ensuring a high level of quality and traceability from the start.
From the farm to the factory, across the seas to the port, and finally to our warehouse in the UK, every movement is recorded through paperwork and online tracking systems. This comprehensive traceability ensures that no harsh pesticides, fertilisers, or herbicides are used at any stage of cultivation, production, packing or storage, maintaining the purity of our products. Consequently, you can be confident that the products you enjoy from The Coconut Company are of the highest organic standards.
Why does organic matter?
So, why does organic matter to you? For starters, it’s about ensuring what you consume is as natural and untainted as possible. At The Coconut Company, our dedication to organic farming is fundamental and began in early 2015, when we set up our operations. We want organic products because we believe they equal better nutrition. We choose partner factory’s whose farming techniques are rooted in traditional and sustainable practices.
These products are derived from coconuts grown on small-scale farms, where farmers employ methods that have been passed down through generations. The organic nature of our products begins with the avoidance of harsh chemicals in farming. For example, one of our factories uses mangosteen rind to stop the fermentation of coconut sap before processing, instead of sulphur-based chemicals. Another, uses vinegar sprays to naturally deter insects instead of synthetic products. In general, our partners do not use pesticides, fertilisers, or herbicides on their land. This not only preserves the natural health of the soil and local ecosystems, but also ensures that these harmful substances don’t make their way the coconuts.
Many of our partner factories, ensure that no part of the coconut goes to waste, as after processing the water and coconut meat, the husk is used to make charcoal or as fuel for powering the factory’s machinery.
Choosing organic isn’t just about what you eat. It also means supporting farming practices that are better for the environment. These practices often strive to reduce pollution and conserve water resources, and may increase the biodiversity of the coconut plantation at times (by planting crops that thrive in similar soils which can help balance soil health).
For you, this translates into food products that are not just safer and stronger but also richer in nutrients, as they have been allowed to grow as nature intended. Organic farming emphasises a natural balance of quality over quantity. We talk more about why organic is better for you in our article ‘Why is organic food regarded as better for you?’
The certification and auditing process
For us, the journey towards maintaining organic certification is rigorous and involves daily record keeping and regular meetings. We don’t cut corners and we don’t just take the word of producers, but actively visit each of our partner factories every year. It’s important to visit and meet staff and managers. This fun job falls to Mike, our very own head of supply chain and co-founder.
Each of our factories undergoes a thorough certification process not only by international bodies like Control Union or EcoCert, but also by local authorities and third party global food certification agencies. This third party certification ensures a robust double layer of compliance and quality assurance, adhering to both global and regional organic food standards.
Being classed as ‘organic’ includes continuous auditing to confirm ongoing adherence to stringent organic principles. Farms, traders and warehouses are regularly inspected and must consistently demonstrate their commitment to organic practices through paperwork and lab sampling.
And in case that’s not enough, lab tests to check for the presence of pesticides and fertilisers are undertaken each year on every product. These tests are essential to verify that our products remain free from contaminants and remain pure, providing you with the confidence that what you're consuming is genuinely organic.
This comprehensive approach ensures that every product bearing The Coconut Company organic logo meets our high standards of organic excellence.
Choose organic with confidence by choosing our products
The Coconut Company's commitment to organic certification is at the core of our mission and has been since our inception. We are dedicated to providing you with products that are not only pure and safe but also of the highest quality. This commitment underscores our promise to deliver the very best to our customers. Put simply, it means you get nutritious coconut products with no nasties!
