Organic farming is a method of agricultural production that has existed since the very beginning of the 20th century. Today, the organic market in all sectors is a real boon for industry; in fact, organic products account for no less than 46 billion euros in sales, a figure that continues to rise every year, making it a very buoyant niche.

Consciences are changing, and consumer habits are no exception; today's consumers are tending towards a healthier lifestyle, a greener diet that respects both health and the environment. But what do we really know about organic? What are the conditions for a product to be considered organic? Let's take a closer look at an ethical alternative with many advantages.

What is organic?

Organic products have a strong presence in two sectors: food and hygiene and cosmetics. This certification can be defined as follows, depending on the nature of the product:

• An organic foodstuff comesfromOrganic Farming. This is a committed production method that uses non-intensive farming practices, respects animal welfare and the environment, and excludes all forms of chemicals, pesticides and GMOs from its crops. In France, the organic food market is enjoying growing success, with sales reaching 9.6 billion euros in 2018, up 1.4 billion euros on 2017.

• An organic cosmetic or hygiene product must comply with a certain number of precise criteria, particularly concerning components that must be natural and of plant origin. In 2018, this market accounted for 111 million euros in sales, with double-digit annual growth constantly on the rise.

Conditions for a product to be considered "organic

For a food or non-food product to be labelled organic, it must meet specific criteria and pass a battery of tests to prove that it qualifies.

Organic farming was codified in the 1990s. For an agricultural product or foodstuff to be officially organic, it must meet strict specifications:

• This production must exclude the use of synthetic chemicals
• Production bans the use of GMOs (Genetically Modified Organisms)
• Seeds must be organic
• Mixing the same organic and non-organic varieties is strictly forbidden
• The use of fertilizers, insecticides and other products applied to land and crops must be limited and regulated
• Farming conditions must respect animal welfare in all respects
• The use of additives and processing aids must be scrupulously listed and limited
• Cultivation must be soil-bound only, which implies a ban on hydroponics
• Soil fertility and biological activity must be preserved and increased several times a year

There are also precise conditions for organic hygiene products and cosmetics:

• All ingredients must be of plant origin (except those produced naturally by animals, such as honey) and natural
• Synthetic ingredients such as perfume, colorants and preservatives are prohibited
• Production must commit to a low environmental footprint
• Animal testing is totally excluded

All these regulatory requirements are verified by the DGCCRF (Direction Générale de la Concurrence, de la Consommation et de la Répression des Fraudes). In addition, all those involved in the organic sector, whether producers, processors, wholesalers or importers, are required to have signed a contract with the Institut National de l'Origine et de la Qualité (INAO).

Precise labelling rules

For a product to be marketed with the official "AB" logo, it must contain a minimum of 95% organic agricultural ingredients, in order to use a sales name mentioning the term "bio" or "biologique".

A product containing less than 95%organic agricultural ingredients may only mention these terms in the list of ingredients .

Organic certifications

For a product to be marketed as "organic", it must have been awarded a label. This label is a certification issued by a private or public body, guaranteeing product traceability and quality. These labels may vary according to the type of product. (non-exhaustive list)

Agricultural products and foodstuffs: AB (European label), bio cohérence, bio partenaire, Demeter, Nature & Progrès and FairTrade.

Hygiene products and cosmetics : AB (European label), Ecocert, Cosmebio, Natrue, Slow cosmétique and BDIH. (non-exhaustive list)

What are the advantages of an organic product?

Organic farming aims to maintain the sustainable management of agriculture by improving the quality of soil, water, plants and animals, while promoting the development of biodiversity. Buying organic products therefore encourages this dynamic and leads to better everyday consumption.

Eating organic also means eating tastier food, with more vitamins and minerals, and discovering or rediscovering many new foods and products!

Organic farming also benefits the environment in many ways:

• Organic farming preserves the environment in the long term
• Organic farming methods maintain soil quality
• It respects both flora and fauna
• It encourages water infiltration into the soil and does not pollute the water table
• It reduces greenhouse gas emissions and global warming by eliminating carbon
• Biodiversity is enhanced and protected at the same time
• Packaging is usually made from recyclable and/or recycled materials

Consuming organic food is a way of protecting your health by avoiding pesticides, chemicals and endocrine disruptors of all kinds, as well as the environment. However, we must be careful not to over-consume, and to consume intelligently, giving priority to local and terroir products, as well as unprocessed products.