Canadian organic labels may not be as accurate as previously thought

The United States Department of Agriculture’s standards for being certified organic are so strict that many smaller producers will often forego the certification, not being able to supply the amount of paperwork, auditing and testing needed to put the little circle on their products.

But, while the organic standard may be set high, food labels such as “natural” and “free-range” are often regulated on much looser terms in the U.S. However, every country’s laws are different.

According to the National Post, an Ontario-based paper, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) does not mandate laboratory testing of products. The source cited a Canadian-based think-tank’s report on the industry, stating that crops and livestock can be certified organic before they are tested. The Post also reports that the CFIA did a random test last year and found that nearly a quarter of organic apples contained pesticide residues.

But the government stands opposed to these allegations.

“Organic farmers and processors undergo scrutiny with audits and inspections against Canada’s organic standards,” Stephanie Wells, senior regulatory affairs advisor at Canada Organic Trade Association, told the source. “The organic standards in Canada are very robust.”

Regardless of whether a company produces organic foods or not, it must adhere to all regulatory standards set forth by organizations, such as the CFIA in Canada or the FDA and USDA in America, on its food labels.

In addition, these custom labels must be able to effectively advertise the product and create differentiating factors between it and the competitors placed next to it on store shelves. By investing in a Primera LX900 color label printer, producers will be able to meet all regulations on their product labels as well as create an eye-catching aesthetic.