The beginning of July brought with it a key date for food manufacturers to update their labelling machines – particularly those involved in the production of certified organic foods.
After a two-year transition period, July 1st marked the official introduction of mandatory labelling for organic foods, and the launch of a logo featuring EU-style stars in the shape of a leaf.
The design brings together the notions of organic food as an environmentally friendly product, and the stars that symbolise unity and harmony on the EU flag.
In a news release on July 4th, the European Commission stated: “The logo must now appear on all packaged organic foods … it means food manufacturers – and the farmers they got the ingredients from – have complied with strict EU-wide rules.”
For those packaging ingredients or finished foods, it may also mean it is time to update labelling machines, to make sure they are capable of printing the logo to the necessary standard and resolution.
Meanwhile, unpackaged produce and imported foods that are equivalent to EU standards on organic farming and production may be labelled if desired, but this remains optional.
