What are "organic" products?
Organic food production doesn't use:
- most human-made fertilisers and pesticides
- some medicines (like antibiotics)
- growth hormones
- food additives
- most synthetic chemicals.
Genetic modification and irradiation also aren't allowed.
When products are labelled as certified organic
Food and products sold as organic need to be certified. This assures buyers that they've been made in a certain way. Products certifiers make sure it's been done correctly.
Organic certifiers and organisations
Government considering changes to organics law
The Organic Products Bill is going through Parliament. It would:
- help with developing new standards for organic products
- set requirements for most businesses involved (from production to sale)
The purpose of the bill is to:
- increase consumer confidence in buying truly organic products
- increase certainty for businesses claiming products as organic
- help with international trade in organic products.
Cabinet paper [PDF, 1.2 MB]
Discussion document [PDF, 757 KB]
Regulatory impact assessment [PDF, 315 KB]
Organic Products Bill – New Zealand Legislation
Check the progress of the Bill – New Zealand Parliament
