Organic farming began to develop in the 1920s in Austria, Germany, Switzerland and England, and emerged in France in the 1950s. It grew out of a wish to respect natural balances and biodiversity in response to the beginnings of intensive agriculture.
AB, the EU organic logo, Bio Cohérence and Cosmébio: organic labels multiplied between 1980 and 2000 as industrial agricultural production intensified. Today, around thirty bodies certify organic products.
An organic label is a certification issued by a public or private body. It sets out requirements concerning the use of pesticides, GMOs (which vary according to the standard), product quality and traceability for agricultural products sold as organic.
In France, there are two useful reference points: the EU organic logo and the AB logo.
The EU organic logo
The EU organic logo is compulsory on all pre-packaged organic foods produced in the European Union.
The wording 'certified by FR-BIO-XX' identifies the certification body that inspected the product.
The final line gives the origin of the agricultural ingredients: a country name when at least 98% come from that country, or 'EU / non-EU'.
The French AB mark can be displayed alongside the EU logo. It is also used for production covered by a French specification rather than the EU regulation.
Chabiothé is certified under FR-BIO-01, by Ecocert. For our business, annual certification costs around €400 and an auditor visits our premises twice a year.
The French AB label
Created in 1985, the French AB label now offers the same guarantees as its European equivalent. Some products display both logos because French consumers are more familiar with the AB mark.
The AB mark belongs exclusively to the French Ministry of Agriculture, which sets its rules of use. Widely recognised in France, it identifies entirely organic products or, for processed foods, products containing at least 95% organic agricultural ingredients.
Chabiothé products display both labels. Our team takes particular care to check the certification of the producers we work with. Ensuring the quality of Chabiothé products matters greatly to us.
Sources:
Agence Bio (agencebio.org), Bio à la Une (bioalaune.com), INAO (French National Institute of Origin and Quality)