Packaging & Labelling
this section includes:
This section includes:
5.3 Limits on listing organic ingredients
Cross references
USDA NOP: § 205.272 Commingling and contact with prohibited substance prevention practice standard.
NZFSA Technical Rules for Organic Production:
Section 8 C, points 8.14-8.16
5.1 Packaging
(a) The handler of an organic handling operation must implement measures necessary to prevent the commingling of organic and nonorganic products and protect organic products from contact with prohibited substances
(b) The following are prohibited for use in the handling of any organically produced agricultural product or ingredient labelled in accordance with the Labelling, product composition section of this part:
- Packaging materials, and storage containers, or bins that contain a synthetic fungicide, preservative, or fumigant
- The use or reuse of any bag or container that has been in contact with any substance in such a manner as to compromise the organic integrity of any organically produced product or ingredient placed in those containers, unless such reusable bag or container has been thoroughly cleaned and poses no risk of contact of the organically produced product or ingredient with the substance used
5.2 Labelling
The term, “organic”
Cross references:
USDA NOP: § 205.300 Use of the term, “organic.”
NZFSA Technical Rules for Organic Production:
- Section 10, point 10.2
The term, “organic,” may not be used in a product name to modify a nonorganic ingredient in the product.
Calculation of % organic. Products sold, labelled, or represented as “organic”.
Cross references:
USDA NOP: § 205.301 Product composition
NZFSA Technical Rules for Organic Production:
- Section 10, point 10.4-10.5
Interpretative note:
Both NZ and US require at least 95% organic ingredients in ‘organic’ products. However, under the US standard, at least 95% of the total ingredients must be organic; under NZ, at least 95% of the ingredients of agricultural origin must be organic. That is, non-agricultural ingredients are not included in the NZ calculation, whereas they are included in the calculation under US. The NZ method of calculation can result in products with less than 95% of the total ingredients being labelled ‘organic’.
Similarly, both NZ and US require at least 70% organic ingredients in ‘made with organic ingredient’ products. However, under US, at least 70% of the total ingredients must be organic (refer below)`; under NZ, at least 70% of the ingredients of agricultural origin must be organic. Non-agricultural ingredients are not included in the NZ calculation, whereas they are included under US. The NZ method of calculation can result in products with less than 70% of the total ingredients being labelled ‘made with organic ingredients’.
5.3 Limits on listing organic ingredients
Cross references:
USDA NOP: § 205.304 Packaged products labelled “made with organic (specified ingredients or food group(s)).”
NZFSA Technical Rules for Organic Production:
- Section 10, 10.4-10.5
Agricultural products in packages labelled “made with organic (specified ingredients of food group(s)) may display on the principal display panel, information panel, and any other panel and on any labelling or market information concerning the product:
- The statement:
(i) “Made with organic (specified ingredients)”: Provided, that, the statement does not list more than three organically produced ingredients
(ii) “Made with organic (specified food groups)”: Provided, that, the statement does not list more than three of the following food groups: beans, fish, fruits, grains, herbs, meats, nuts, oils, poultry, seeds, spices, sweeteners, and vegetables or processed milk products.
