Organic products
We have considered how important it is to consume products that are hygienically safe, and having excellent
organoleptic characteristics: in other words ‘healthy’ generally speaking.
Besides, all over the world the necessity is felt to adopt behaviours that are respectful of nature, not to pollute
it any further, and, if possible, to restore the delicate equilibriums which for thousands of years have allowed
mankind and all other living creatures to evolve and survive.
This growing attention towards mankind and nature has suggested production methods that are more
respectful of the ambience, socially healthy and sustainable in the long period.
Methods casting their roots in a far past, but which have been able to take advantage from the most recent
scientific discoveries.
Organic agriculture is all this.
Organic agriculture means that farming is carried over without the use of synthetic chemical products
and of GMO (Genetically Modified Organisms); that it practises the rotation of crops for the defense and
prevention from parasites, diseases, infesting plants; that the soil is only fertilized with organic materials and
natural minerals.
It means also to develop a sustainable production model which, by favouring renewable resources and
recycling, avoids the depredation of natural resources - soil, air, water - and to damage them by polluting
practices, and that is also susceptible of positive returns both from the economic and social points of view.
The importance of this production method is easily understood, we can accept its validity for us and for our
children.
This is why the biologic sector has greatly developed in the last few years; international organizations have made
available some incentives in order to favour the change from traditional to organic agricultural production systems.
Organic products, once considered as ‘niche’ products, difficult to find other than in specialized
shops, are now available in the great distribution, in so wide a range as to cover the greater part of the
consumers’ alimentary requirements.
Mind the label!
It is of the utmost importance, specially for organic products, to observe labels with great attention, in
order to know whether a product meets our expectations.
The label contains, by law, a number of specifications meant to guarantee a correct information to
consumers:
- the general denomination, namely the denomination imposed by legislation on certain products (for
instance, honey, flour, etc.), which cannot be replaced by a fancy name
- the list of ingredients, ordered according to weight contents, which is useful to detect the presence of
substances more or less agreable to the consumer; the list must include chemical additives
- net quantities
- the mininum delay of preservation, or the expiration date, compulsory for very perishable products (like
yogurt, eggs..)
- the alcoholic titre, for drinks containing alcohol for more than 1,2% of the volume
- the monogram identifying the lot of the product
- instructions for preservation
- instructions for use (for instance for lyophilized products)
Only the products that are certified and guaranteed by specialized producers bear all these specifications. |
