Organic Certification Process in India

 

As people become more environmentally conscious and health-conscious, demand for organic food products is rising in India. This is due to the advantages of organic fruits and organic vegetables. However, it can be difficult to determine whether a product is truly organic or not. That’s where organic food product certification comes in. Although organic farming has many advantages, it is not a fix-all for agricultural issues. It represents a step in the direction of more resilient and sustainable agricultural systems.

 

Understanding the organic food products industry working process

Here is an In-Depth explanation of Organic food products

• In India, the government agency responsible for regulating organic food products is the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA). APEDA is responsible for ensuring that organic food products meet certain standards and are certified as organic.
  
  

• A food item needs to fulfil several requirements to be certified as organic. The first requirement is that it be grown without the use of artificial fertilizers, pesticides, or genetically modified organisms (GMOs). Second, no artificial flavors, colors, or preservatives may be used during processing. Finally, it must be packaged and labelled by organic standards and the same goes for Exotic vegetables.
  
  

• To obtain certification, a food producer must apply to a certification agency accredited by APEDA. The agency will then inspect the producer's facilities and review their records to ensure that their products meet organic standards. If the producer passes the inspection, they will be issued a certificate that allows them to label their products as Organic food products.

 

• The certification process can be costly and time-consuming, which is why not all Organic food product producers in India are certified. However, certification can also be beneficial for producers because it allows them to sell their products at a higher price point due to the perceived value of organic products among consumers.
  
  

• Consumers can identify Organic food products in India by looking for the India Organic certification mark. This mark indicates that a product has been certified by an APEDA-accredited certification agency and meets organic standards. However, it’s important to note that not all organic products may bear this mark, especially those sold in local markets or by small-scale producers who may not have the resources to obtain certification.

 

• In addition to APEDA, other organizations in India also offer organic food certification. One such organization is the National Organic Certification Body (NOCB), which is accredited by the National Accreditation Body (NAB). NOCB certifies organic products based on the National Standards for Organic Production (NSOP), which were established by the Government of India.

 

Conclusion:

 Organic food products certification in India is an important process that helps ensure the authenticity and quality of organic products. Consumers can look for the India Organic certification mark to identify certified organic products, but should also be aware that not all organic products may be certified. Producers who obtain certification can benefit from being able to sell their products at a higher price point but may face additional costs and requirements to meet organic standards.