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Certified Organic products are grown and processed
without the use of synthetic chemicals, fertilisers, or
GMO's*(see definition below). It is an innovative method
of farming and production and is increasingly being
recognised as being on the leading edge of food and
fibre technology into the future. Organics is not just
chemical free by testing. It is about the way the
product ingredients have been grown, prepared, processed
and packaged. The whole system is linked;
Soil Plants People and Environment.
Standards to achieve certification are internationally
recognised and are assured through annual audits of all
certified operators by an independent third party
auditor.
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*What is a GMO?
A genetically modified organism (GMO) is a plant, animal
or microorganism whose genetic code has been altered
(subtracted from, or added to either the same species or
a different species) in order to give it characteristics
that it does not have naturally.
Scientists can now transfer genes between species
that otherwise would be incapable of mating, for
example, a goat and a spider. This is what we call
transgenesis. Little is known about the long-term
effects of such manipulations on humans, plants, animals
and/or the environment. And while some see GMO's as the
way to the future, others believe that scientists have
gone too far, tinkering with the essence of life.
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The only way customers can be assured that they are
purchasing REAL ORGANIC products produced without the
use of synthetic chemicals and GMO's is to purchase
products which have been organically certified with a
leading independent certifying body such as the;
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ACO
(Australian Certified Organic) |
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USDA
(US Department of Agriculture) |
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BFA
(Biological Farmers of Australia) |
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IFOAM
(International Federation of Organic
Agriculture Movements) |
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What are the Benefits of Choosing Certified Organic?
1. Good for the soil
Organic systems rely on a modern and scientific
understanding of ecology and soil science, while also
depending on traditional methods of crop rotations to
ensure fertility and weed and pest control.
2. Good for
the environment
Organic systems aim to reduce dependence on
non-renewable resources. Organic production aims at all
times towards sustainability whilst having best
management of the environment and wildlife as a
priority.
3. Good for
people
Organic based ingredients have been shown in a number of
studies to contain more vitamins, nutrients and
cancer-fighting antioxidants than non-organic
ingredients.
4.No synthetic chemicals
Organic systems prohibit the use of artificial
chemicals, pesticides and fertilisers.
5. No GMO's
Certified Organic products are produced without GMOs,
which are prohibited in the standards for organic food
and farming.
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What does 'natural' and 'organic' mean on a cosmetic
label?
Nowhere do the terms "natural"
or "organic"
take a more gratuitous bruising than the cosmetics
industry. Here we hope to clarify some basic differences
between miessence® and other brands.
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ONE Group definition of natural: |
"Existing in, or formed by nature; not
artificial." |
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Commercial definition of natural: |
"Any ingredient "derived from" a natural
substance." |
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ONE Group definition of organic: |
"Grown, cultivated and stored without the use of
chemicals, herbicides, pesticides, fumigants and
other toxins." |
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Commercial definition of organic: |
"Any compound containing carbon." |
Explanation:
The organic chemistry definition of organic is any
compound containing carbon. Carbon is found in anything
that has ever lived. So, by using this definition of
organic, many manufacturers can (and do) say that the
toxic petrochemical preservative, methyl paraben, is
"organic" because it was formed by leaves that rotted
over thousands of years to become the crude oil used to
make this toxic preservative.
To be
CERTIFIED organic is a quantum leap
beyond “made with organic ingredients”. CERTIFIED
organic products, such as miessence® products produced
by ONE Group, must pass stringent quality testing and
standards. No synthetic chemicals may be used at any
stage of the production chain, beginning with growing,
harvesting, storage, transporting and processing,
through to the final ready-for-market product. Where
there is an ingredient that is essential for the product
to function, (e.g. xanthan gum to thicken) and that
ingredient is not yet available as organically grown,
then, up to a maximum of 5% of non-organic ingredients
may be used in the product, and only until that
ingredient becomes available and organically grown.
There are also strict criteria for the 'permitted'
non-organic ingredients, such as: they must be naturally
extracted plant products and they may not be genetically
modified.
So, the ONLY way to know whether a product is truly
CERTIFIED organic is to
look for the LOGO!
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How do I understand a typical cosmetic label
ingredients list?
A typical cosmetic label can be broken up into three
parts. The top third of a cosmetic label usually makes
up 90-95% of the products ingredients. the second third
makes up 5-8% and the last third 1-3%. See the diagrams
below for a graphical breakdown of a typical off the
shelf moisturiser ingredient list.
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