WHAT IS ORGANIC FOOD?

Organic means that it has been produced without use of any

artificial chemicals, fertilizers and pesticides

Organic food is instead grown using methods of farming that is less harmful to environment than conventional techniques that utilizes different types of chemicals.

Organic farming methods are designed to work with nature, not against it.

Organic food means that the food has been produced without use of any artificial chemicals, fertilizer and pesticides.

The word organic refers to natural or earth friendly methods of farming and producing food.

This means thatfood such as fruits and vegetables will never be sprayed with chemicals to keep insects from eating them.

Regulation 18 (7), Food Regulations 1985- no label which describes any food shall include the word “organic”, “biological”, “ecologocal”, “biodynamic” or any other words of the same significance unless the food conforms to the requirements specified in the Malaysian Standards MS 1529:2001 : The production, processing, labeling and marketing of plant based organically produced food.

LAW REQUIREMENTS

Malaysian standard for organic food:MS 1529:2001 – The production, processing, labeling and marketing of plant based organically produced food.

CERTIFICATION

Published by the Department of Agriculture, Malaysia.

Certification programme to accredit the farmer who

operates his farm in compliance with the standard conditions set by the national organic standard, MS 1529:2001.

MALAYSIAN ORGANIC SCHEME (SOM)

The standard was developed by the Working Group on Organic Foods which comprises representatives from the :

1. Department of Agriculture (DOA)2. Ministry of Health (MOH)3. Malaysian Palm Oil Board (MPOB)4. Malaysian Palm Oil Association (MPOA)5. Malaysian Agricultural Research and

Development Institute (MARDI)6. Centre for Environment Technology and Development Malaysia (CETDEM)7. SIRIM Berhad8. A few organic product producers

Provide a harmonised approach to the requirements, which relate to the production of, and the labelling and claims for, organically produced foods.

It sets out the principles of organic production at;

▪ farms ▪ preparation ▪ storage▪ transport ▪ labelling ▪ marketing stages

Indicator of accepted permitted inputs for : - soil fertilising and conditioning- pest and disease control- food additives and processing aids.

Labelling needs as required under Section IV labelling, Food Regulations 1985 is used.

Regulations 18(7) is also used.

LABELLING PROCEDURE

1. Unprocessed plant based product

- Follow SOM requirements under DOA or others organic certification bodies acknowledged by DOA.

2. Processed product- registered with Food Quality and Security Division, MOH - Follow SOM requirements under DOA

or others organic certification bodies acknowledged by DOA.

- Ascertain that the product contains:o Only contains substances permitted as required

under Table B3 and B4 MS 1529:2001o Product preparation or ingredient does not use

irradiation.o Meets product needs for those containing <

95% but > 70% organic ingredients as required under Paragraph 4.5 MS 1529:2001

APPROVAL ORGANIZATIONS

The Organic Foods Production Act (OFPA), enacted under Title 21 of the 1990 Farm Bill, served to establish uniform national standards for the production and handling of foods labeled as “organic.”

USDA National Organic Program (NOP) -standards for the production, handling,

and processing of organically grown agricultural products

USDAUnited States Department of Agriculture

Four Degrees of Organic

assure consumers that the organic foods they purchase are produced, processed, and certified to be consistent with national organic standards

1. Agricultural products labeled “100 percent organic” and “organic”

- contain (excluding water and salt) only organically produced ingredients and processing aids

- cannot be produced using excluded methods, sewage sludge, or ionizing radiation

Standard Organic Labeling for Consumers

2. Processed products labeled “made with organic ingredients”

- at least 70 percent organic ingredients

- list up to three of the organic ingredients or food groups on the principal display panel

- cannot be produced using excluded methods, sewage sludge, or ionizing radiation

Examples of USDA Organic Products

CONCLUSION Malaysia is still lagging behind in organic food.

Both USDA & SOM certifications, in organic food the important point is the handling of production (without fertilizer)

Organic food is healthier than conventional food, although the research is inconclusive.• slightly higher vitamin C (organic leafy vegetables and potatoes)• contain fewer agrochemical residues

As consumers - support our organic products and maybe from this our organic organizations can move forward and improve.