Organic

Here we explain what is organic and what is Krav-labelled.

What may be called organic?

Simply put, organic foods are what the EU has defined as such. However, in our country where the Requirements mark is significantly more present than the EU’s corresponding mark, it is more relevant to start from Requirements rules when explaining what Ecomat is. The requirement mark was created in 1985 to achieve a uniform marking. Claims are run by an economic association consisting of 27 member organizations, for example, Biodynamic Products, Animal Rights and Field Biologists to Coop, Hemköp, Ica, LRF, and Scandic Hotels.

What is required for a food product to be Krav-labelled?

It depends on the product, but these are some basic principles:

• The cultivation should aim for environmentally sustainable production. Neither chemical pesticides, fertilizers nor genetically modified organisms may be used.
• The animals should live as naturally as possible. For example, the pigs are allowed to go out all year round with opportunities to breed and cool off in the summer with mud baths. Routine, preventative medication is not allowed. The animals should be cared for in such a way that they stay healthy anyway. However, they receive the same medication as other animals in symptoms.
• Compound products – for example, jams, juices and ready-made dishes – shall consist of Requirements approved ingredients. About a tenth of the 316 permitted additives with E-numbers may be used in Krav-labelled goods. There are no dyes, sweeteners or flavor enhancers here. Less known, however, is that there are two different Requirement Labels, and in order to detect the difference one must read the fine print on the outer edge of the label. The word ”organic” is found on the standard Krav-labelled, while this is missing from the so-called B-mark. The difference lies in the amount of Krav-labelled ingredients that a composite product consists of. At least 95 percent for using the original mark, while it suffices for 70 percent for the B-mark.

What distinguishes Krav from the EU organic brands?

Not really that much, but some of Kravs rules are tougher. Primarily, it concerns animal husbandry, animal transport and slaughter. In addition, the preservative nitrite is prohibited by Krav but has so far been allowed in the EU organic charc products.