Under the Organic Regulation, processed products can only be labeled as organic if at least 95% of the ingredients of agricultural origin are organic. This also applies to its derivations or diminutives, such as bio and eco. The terms used to designate organic products are protected throughout the Union and should not be used for labelling of non-organic products. Foods that contain organic ingredients, but do not meet the established limit of 95% of the ingredients, can declare organic ingredients in the ingredients list to indicate the relevant organic ingredients of the product. However, in the new organic regulation it is not allowed to refer to organic ingredients if the product contains less than 95% organic ingredients.

Food Labelling Services comments:

The rules on labelling in the new Organic Regulation apply to all statements, indications, trademarks, trade names, pictures or signs concerning a product on packaging, documents, signs, labels, rings or bands accompanying or referring to that product. The rules therefore cover more than just the label of the product. TThis also applies to company names and trade names. For the UK, any Organic product it must be certified by an accredited organic certification body. The requirements for products to be labelled as organic are that at least 95% of the agricultural ingredients are certified organic. Any other ingredients (including allowed additives) can only come from the approved list in the Organic Processing Standards. Water, salt and other minerals are not declared as being organic.The label must clearly state which ingredients are organic as distinct from any approved non-organic. If it is not a certified product, there should be no indication in the descriptive text that misleads the consumer into thinking it is organic (e.g. using the phrase ‘made with organic ingredients’)