According to a 2021 survey by Wren Kitchens, Londoners were much more likely to eat organically than other parts of the UK.
It found that 38 per cent of Londoners consciously tried to buy organic food.
Researchers said people in the South West of England were least likely to buy organic food, with just 13 per cent actively doing so.
Price seems to play a massive part, the survey found.
When asked what would encourage people to buy more organic produce, 41 per cent of respondents said it would be more affordable than non-organic alternatives. Meanwhile. 19 per cent said they would buy more organic products if their supermarkets stocked them.
But what is organic food and organic certification, who certifies organic products, and why is organic food more expensive?
Here’s what you need to know.
Organic food refers to products grown and processed without synthetic chemicals, such as pesticides, fertilisers, and genetically modified organisms (GMOs). Instead, organic farming relies on natural methods including crop rotation, composting, and biological pest control to maintain soil health and manage pests. In the case of livestock, animals are raised in conditions that promote natural behaviors, fed organic feed, and are not treated with routine antibiotics or growth hormones.
The key principle behind organic food is sustainability. Organic farming practices aim to protect the environment by maintaining biodiversity, improving soil and water quality, and reducing pollution.
Consumers choose organic products for various reasons, including concerns over pesticide use, animal welfare, and environmental sustainability.
What is organic certification?
Organic certification in the UK is a process that ensures food, farming, and products meet strict organic standards, which are set by law. These standards cover how food is grown, processed, and packaged. Organic agriculture promotes environmental sustainability, animal welfare, and natural pest control.
In the UK, the key components of organic certification include:
- No synthetic chemicals: Organic farming avoids synthetic pesticides, herbicides, and fertilizers, relying on natural methods such as crop rotation and composting.
- Non-GMO: Organic products cannot be made from genetically modified organisms (GMOs).
- Animal Welfare: Organic livestock must be raised in environments that allow natural behaviours and with access to the outdoors. Animals are fed organic feed and cannot be routinely treated with antibiotics or growth hormones.
- Sustainability: Organic practices aim to preserve soil health, biodiversity, and ecosystems.
Who certifies organic products?
To use the term “organic” in the UK, producers and farmers must be certified by one of the Government-approved certification bodies. These include:
- Soil Association: The largest and most well-known certification body in the UK, which sets standards often above Government regulations.
- Organic Farmers & Growers (OF&G)
- Biodynamic Association: Specialises in biodynamic farming, which goes beyond organic by incorporating spiritual and cosmic principles.
- Quality Welsh Food Certification and others.
- Products labelled “organic” must contain at least 95 per cent organic ingredients.
- Organic producers are inspected at least once a year to maintain certification.
Overall, organic certification in the UK ensures that products meet high environmental and ethical standards.
Why is organic food more expensive?
Stricter manufacturing guidelines, lower yields, longer production times, higher certification costs, and restricted distribution and scale explain organic food’s higher price.
However, organic food is said to be more beneficial to the environment and people alike.
According to the Soil Association, organic agriculture consumes less energy and produces fewer emissions. It also reduces the likelihood of soil and river contamination and increases the amount of carbon captured and stored.
Despite their reputation for being healthy and nutrient-dense, some research reveals that there isn’t much nutritional difference between conventional and organic meals.
