Frequently asked questions on the consumption of organic foods

1. How can organic foods and products be identified?
2. Are consumers represented in the CCPAE?
3. Why are genetically modified (GM) organisms not permitted in organic agriculture?
4. If a food does not have the CCPAE stamp, how can I know whether it is organic?
5. Does organic food contain more nutrients than conventional food?
6. Is an organic product really more expensive than a conventional one?
7. What safety guarantees does the CCPAE seal give to the consumer?
8. Why is it important for an organic food to be certified?
9. What can I do if I am sold a product as organic even though it is not?
10. What are Recommended Establishments?

These are the logos of the public and private certification organizations in Spain that certify organic foods:

You may also find other certification organizations from outside Catalonia that identify organic foods and which are currently valid. However, any product that has any of the terms “ecological”, “biological” or “organic” or their respective abbreviations in any European language on the label is an organic product, as these terms are restricted throughout the European Union to these types of food. You may also find that some foods have the European logo while others do not. Although it is not obligatory, this mark can only be used on products that contain at least 95% organic agricultural ingredients.

The European controlling authorities and organizations can be viewed here.

2. Are consumers respresented in the CCPAE?
Yes. Consumers’ associations are represented in the CCPAE through the Organització de Consumidors i Usuaris de Catalunya ( Consumers’ and Users’ Organization of Catalonia - OCUC), the Unió de Consumidors de Catalunya (Consumers’ Union of Catalonia - UCC) and the Federació de Cooperatives de Consumidors i Usuaris de Catalunya (Federation of Consumers’ and Users’ Cooperatives of Catalonia - FCCUC). Organic product consumers are represented in the Council by the FCCUC (Ecoconsum).

3. Why are genetically modified (GM) organisms not permitted in organic agriculture?
One of the main reasons is that they are harmful to biodiversity. But also there are not enough studies to show that the consumption of these modified foods has no effect on health and the environment.

You can download the analysis results for 2006 here.

4. If a food does not have the CCPAE stamp, how can I know whether it is organic?
You need to see whether the label includes the term “ORGANIC AGRICULTURE” and a control authority code. The label may also include one of the following words: “ecological, “biological” or “organic” and their respective abbreviations, as these terms are restricted throughout Europe to these types of food.

These are some of the logos that also identify organic food in Europe:

If you have any doubts, you can contact the consumers’ associations or the CCPAE.

5. Does organic food contain more nutrients than conventional food?
According to a number of studies carried out by the Soil Association and John Hopkins University in Baltimore (USA), the organic food analysed contained more vitamin C and essential minerals such as calcium, magnesium, iron and chromium than conventional food. Higher concentrations of vitamin E and antioxidants were also detected.

6. Is an organic product really more expensive than a conventional one?
Organic food is not more expensive than conventional food if we bear in mind that it is higher quality, healthier and keeps better. This means that you need to buy less food to receive the same amount of nutrients as conventional food. Also, its production is more energy efficient and does not cause pollution, which in turn produces energy savings and helps protect the environment.

7. What safety guarantees does the CCPAE seal give to the consumer?
If a product has been certified by the Consell Català de la Producció Agrària Ecològica (Catalan Council of Organic Agricultural Products – CCPAE) it means that it has been produced using organic techniques.

For a product to obtain CCPAE certification, all producers, processors and retailers have to undergo exhaustive controls through audits of their production and manufacturing systems. Samples of products are also taken to ensure that they are not contaminated with pesticides or GM products, and regular inspections are carried out that can last anything from several hours to two days, depending on the type of product and area being inspected. It is the inspector’s job to check compliance with regulations, records and product traceability and to take samples for analysis. Products that do not pass the controls are disqualified and certification is withdrawn.

It should be remembered that the CCPAE seal is no guarantee that the raw material used to manufacture an organic product is from Catalonia. This means that a product processed by a Catalan company may use ingredients from various countries without the consumer knowing their origin.

8. Why is it important for an organic food to be certified?
In situations where the distance between the producer and consumer is small, external product certification is not necessary. However, in situations where there are several distributors, retailers or processors, certification is necessary to guarantee the food’s organic production.

9. What can I do if I am sold a product as organic even though it is not?
The consumer can contact any of the consumers’ organizations, the Agencia Catalana del Consum (Catalan Consumer Organization) or phone 012 to make a complaint, as only true organic products can use the terms “organic”, “ecological” or “biological”.

You can download the Agencia Catalana del Consum complaint form here.

10.What are Recommended Establishments?
The Catalan Council of Organic Agricultural Production also certifies retail food outlets to guarantee that they are subject to the Council’s control system. This certification is completely voluntary and it is the retailer who applies to be registered in the Directory of Recommended Establishments.

This distinction does not affect other products certified by the Council, it simply provides recognition for the retailer that the products manufactured, labeled or packaged in their shop are organic. Only in cases where the retailer produces the same product in organic and conventional forms does the Council also control output.

View the Directory of Recommended Establishments here.