"Certified organic" appears on many ingredient specifications. But what does it actually mean?

For an ingredient buyer, the label is only as strong as the system behind it. Folium Organics is certified by BioGro, licence number #5690. Here is what that certification checks, in plain language.

Who BioGro is

BioGro is New Zealand's largest organic certification organisation. It certifies farms, processors and brands against its organic standards. Its certification is recognised in many export markets.

Certification is not a one-time event. A certified business must keep meeting the standard and is audited regularly.

We have a long connection with BioGro. Tim Chamberlain, one of our grower-directors, was an early BioGro director. He has more than 40 years of certified organic farming experience. Organic standards are part of how we have always farmed, not something we added later.

What happens on the farm

BioGro looks closely at how crops are grown. On our farms, this includes:

• Inputs. No synthetic fertilisers, synthetic pesticides or genetically modified organisms. Any input we use, such as a soil treatment, must be permitted under the standard.
• Land history. Land must go through a conversion period before its crops can be sold as organic.
• Soil management. We must show how we maintain soil health and fertility through organic methods.
• Boundaries. We must manage the risk of contamination from neighbouring non-organic land.

What happens in the processing plant

Certification does not stop at the farm gate. Our drying, milling and packing operation is also inside the certified system. BioGro checks that:

• Organic product is never mixed with non-organic product.
• Cleaning materials and processing aids are permitted.
• Equipment and storage areas are managed to prevent contamination.
• Packaging is suitable and correctly labelled.

The records behind the label

A large part of any audit is paperwork. Auditors check records for inputs, planting, harvest, processing and sales. They check that the amount of product sold matches the amount produced.

This is where traceability matters. Every Folium batch is identified and controlled through harvest, drying, milling and packing. An auditor can follow a batch from a carton back to the field.

Certification for export markets

Different countries have their own organic rules. Through our certification, we can also meet requirements such as the Japanese Agricultural Standard (JAS) for organic products. We also supply ingredients for the South Korean market.

For buyers, this can save time. If your finished product is sold into these markets, a supplier with the right certification removes a step from your compliance work.

Organic is one part of our quality system

BioGro covers organic integrity. Food safety is a separate question. Our plant operates under a HACCP-based food safety plan, and our packed product goes through X-ray screening to detect foreign material.

Our products are also Halal certified, Kosher Vegetarian, Non-GMO and additive free.

What to ask any organic supplier

Ask for the certifier's name and the licence number. Ask whether the processing plant is certified, not only the farm. Ask for the current certificate and a certificate of analysis for your batch.

We are happy to provide all of these. Visit our Certifications and Resources page, or contact our team to request documents.