What does it mean to be Organic?

I’m sure like myself; many of you have walked into the grocery store, and as you were browsing for fresh vegetables, a new cereal, or even some pasta for dinner you have stumbled upon a product with a label, or a sticker that says “Organic”, and for just a few dollars more you pick up that product thinking you are getting something all natural, healthy, and more pure for you and your family. But what did you actually buy for those few extra dollars?
How do you know those “Organic Bananas” that you bought and paid an extra 2 dollars for than the regular bananas are actually organic? How do you know the grower didn’t just say “Organic” and gains the profit without the work!
In Canada the Canadian Government has set forth specific guidelines that producers have to meet when certifying their products as Organic. To name a few; Their land has to be pesticide free for a period of time, additives to products must be Organic, if they are raising organic animals the food they feed them must be organic as well. If you wish too view the entire Act with details about these requirements check out: http://www.tpsgc-pwgsc.gc.ca/cgsb/on_the_net/organic/index-e.html
Before working for Sunshine Farms, who has a line of Organic pickled products, I had never given a second thought to the idea that some of the “Organic” products I had been buying may not be putting in the hard work that is required to become certified as Sunshine Farms has.
So I just propose to you that if you have been buying a certain brand of Organic product, and wish to know if they are a Certified Organic Product, just look at the label next time. Somewhere on the packaging there should be an indication that the product has been verified organic. As well, usually on the label where you find the ingredients it should be labelled who they are certified by, if they are in fact certified.
It’s better to be safe than sorry, and if you are anything like me, you want to know that you are getting what you pay for.
~ Pickle Blogger
Sound off! Let us know if you have been buying a product you thought was organic, but isn’t!
(Just as a side note for all those wondering Sunshine Farms Organic products are Verified Organic and certified by the OCCP -http://www.pro-cert.org/ - check out their website, learn about their certification process, and discover the symbol you should be looking for on your Organic Products in Ontario)