Walk through any grocery store and you'll surely find plenty of foods and drinks that are labeled organic, including coffee. What is organic coffee? The dictionary definition states that organic food products are those which have not had any contact with antibiotics, pesticides, growth stimulants or chemically formulated fertilizers during its growth or processing. This includes foods that are derived from plants and animals. However, a food product may very well meet this definition of organic yet fail to meet the qualifications for a certified organic label.
Standards for all food products to be certified:
Farmers must proactively use renewable resources and attempt to conserve water and soil to maintain or strengthen the environment's long-term quality.
1. Any foods produced from animals must not have come in contact with growth hormones or antibiotics.
2. All food must be produced without coming in contact with most conventional pesticides, synthetic fertilizers, bio-engineered substances or ionizing radiation.
3. Each organic farm must be thoroughly inspected by a government-approved official to ensure the most current qualifications for organic certification are met.
4. Any organic food derived from plants or animals that undergo additional handling or processing after leaving the farm but before being made available to the public may only be sold at establishments that are certified organic providers.
What is coffee that's been certified organic?
It's coffee that was grown and processed without the use of most synthetic chemicals. This coffee comes from a farm that prioritizes sustainability, renewable resources and preserving the quality of the land, groundwater, and air .
