Organic labels at HOCHDORF Swiss Nutrition
The global demand for organic products has grown dramatically in recent years. HOCHDORF Swiss Nutrition offers a range of organic-quality products.
But what does organic really mean? At HOCHDORF, we manufacture products that meet various organic label standards. Alongside legal guidelines and agreements, these also include organic standards governed by private law. Find out more about the organic labels we use at HOCHDORF in this brief overview.
1. Legal provisions and agreements
1.1 CH-Bio (Swiss Organic Farming Ordinance)
Products that meet the basic requirements of the Swiss Organic Farming Ordinance may be awarded the "Bio" (organic) label. The principles of the Swiss Organic Farming Ordinance include compliance with natural cycles, the use of organic feed for the production of animal products, avoidance of chemical and synthetic additives and ingredients and a ban on the use of genetically modified organisms.
Organic agricultural ingredients must be used for the production of organic food. At least 95 % of the agricultural ingredients must be organically farmed for the end product to carry an "organic" label. The use of food additives and non-organic ingredients should be kept to a minimum. Organic food processing should be carried out meticulously and by organic, mechanical or physical methods.(1)
1.1 CH-Bio (Swiss Organic Farming Ordinance)
Products that meet the basic requirements of the Swiss Organic Farming Ordinance may be awarded the "Bio" (organic) label. The principles of the Swiss Organic Farming Ordinance include compliance with natural cycles, the use of organic feed for the production of animal products, avoidance of chemical and synthetic additives and ingredients and a ban on the use of genetically modified organisms.
Organic agricultural ingredients must be used for the production of organic food. At least 95 % of the agricultural ingredients must be organically farmed for the end product to carry an "organic" label. The use of food additives and non-organic ingredients should be kept to a minimum. Organic food processing should be carried out meticulously and by organic, mechanical or physical methods.(1)
1.2 EU organic farming
Products that meet the basic requirements of the EU Organic Regulation can be awarded the "organic" label. There are virtually no differences between the Swiss and European ordinances. Equivalence between the Swiss Organic Farming Ordinance and the EU Organic Regulation was regulated as part of the Swiss-EU Agreement on Agriculture. This is important for facilitating trade with organic products.
Unlike Switzerland, the EU has defined an EU organic logo. This logo must be displayed on pre-packaged food when it is labelled "organic".(2)
Products that meet the basic requirements of the EU Organic Regulation can be awarded the "organic" label. There are virtually no differences between the Swiss and European ordinances. Equivalence between the Swiss Organic Farming Ordinance and the EU Organic Regulation was regulated as part of the Swiss-EU Agreement on Agriculture. This is important for facilitating trade with organic products.
Unlike Switzerland, the EU has defined an EU organic logo. This logo must be displayed on pre-packaged food when it is labelled "organic".(2)
1.3 CH – U.S. Organic Equivalency Arrangement
There is an equivalence arrangement between Switzerland and the US for organic products. Products that have been produced, processed or packaged in Switzerland and the US and which comply with the relevant organic legislation fall within the scope of this arrangement. The arrangement serves to reduce administrative costs and facilitate organic trade. An additional requirement must be observed for Swiss organic milk products to be exported to the US. The principle of absolute freedom from antibiotics applies, i.e. a herd of cows (including calves) must never come into contact with antibiotics.(3)
There is an equivalence arrangement between Switzerland and the US for organic products. Products that have been produced, processed or packaged in Switzerland and the US and which comply with the relevant organic legislation fall within the scope of this arrangement. The arrangement serves to reduce administrative costs and facilitate organic trade. An additional requirement must be observed for Swiss organic milk products to be exported to the US. The principle of absolute freedom from antibiotics applies, i.e. a herd of cows (including calves) must never come into contact with antibiotics.(3)
2. Organic standards under private law
2.1 Bio Suisse
The Bio Bud organic brand is owned by Bio Suisse, the umbrella organisation of Swiss Bio Bud businesses. Bio Suisse has defined guidelines for producing vegetable and animal products as well as for their processing and trading. These guidelines are stricter than the CH-Bio label requirements. So fewer additives and processing ingredients are allowed for Bio Bud products than for CH-Bio organic products and rules are defined for the processing procedures. Bio Bud products must be processed as gently as possible, using only essential processing steps. According to the Bio Bud guidelines, sterilised milk, for example, is not permitted, but UHT milk is, since it has been heated more gently.(4)
2.1 Bio Suisse
- Bio Suisse Bud: at least 90 % of the raw materials come from Switzerland
- Bio Bud: contains more than 10 % imported raw materials
The Bio Bud organic brand is owned by Bio Suisse, the umbrella organisation of Swiss Bio Bud businesses. Bio Suisse has defined guidelines for producing vegetable and animal products as well as for their processing and trading. These guidelines are stricter than the CH-Bio label requirements. So fewer additives and processing ingredients are allowed for Bio Bud products than for CH-Bio organic products and rules are defined for the processing procedures. Bio Bud products must be processed as gently as possible, using only essential processing steps. According to the Bio Bud guidelines, sterilised milk, for example, is not permitted, but UHT milk is, since it has been heated more gently.(4)
2.2 Migros Bio
The organic brand "Migros Bio" is owned by the Federation of Migros Co-operatives. Use of this label is based on the organic regulations of Switzerland and the European Union. Migros has defined additional requirements that represent the added value of the Migros organic label. For agricultural raw materials from Switzerland, the requirements of the Bio Suisse guidelines must be met for primary production. The requirements of the Swiss Organic Farming Ordinance must be met when processing Migros organic products. For agricultural raw materials from abroad, the requirements of the EU Organic Regulation apply to both primary production and processing. Migros has defined additional requirements for its organic label, stipulating that raw materials from abroad must not come from farms in the process of transition to organic produce and must not be transported by air.(5)
The organic brand "Migros Bio" is owned by the Federation of Migros Co-operatives. Use of this label is based on the organic regulations of Switzerland and the European Union. Migros has defined additional requirements that represent the added value of the Migros organic label. For agricultural raw materials from Switzerland, the requirements of the Bio Suisse guidelines must be met for primary production. The requirements of the Swiss Organic Farming Ordinance must be met when processing Migros organic products. For agricultural raw materials from abroad, the requirements of the EU Organic Regulation apply to both primary production and processing. Migros has defined additional requirements for its organic label, stipulating that raw materials from abroad must not come from farms in the process of transition to organic produce and must not be transported by air.(5)
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Written by Rebecca Näf
Sources
- Official Journal of the European Union; Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2016/128 of 25 September 2015 supplementing Regulation (EU) No 609/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council as regards the specific compositional and information requirements for food for special medical purposes. 2.2.2016.
- Federal Department of Home Affairs (FDHA); Federal Food Safety and Veterinary Office FSVO; Explanation of the Ordinance of the Federal Department of Home Affairs (FDHA) on foodstuffs for persons with special nutritional requirements.
- https://inside.hochdorf.com/en
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