Understanding the ‘Green’ Labels on Our Foods

Most of us strive to leave smaller carbon footprints on the earth than we’ve previously done, but how do we know that we’re taking the right steps where our foods is concerned.

Here’s a list of the eco labels and a short definition of what they mean.

Farm Fresh

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Supermarkets charge more for farm fresh products than for their standard stock because technically, these products should’ve come directly from a farm.

However, there are no guarantees that the supply chain, from the time the product left the farm, to the time it got to your plate, was the shortest one possible. It could’ve taken days, or could even have been flown in.

If you’re going to spend that extra cash to get farm fresh products, you might as well spend it wisely and buy directly from a farm shop, or get them delivered to you for free. There are quite a number of operations like this in my area – and they come with free delivery.

Organic

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There are rigid guidelines controlling organic products. Legally, there should be no man-made pesticides used, and animals have to be treated well and given space and natural time to grow.

Organic products are more or less the same, nutritionally. They would have the same amount of fats – for example – as non-organic foods. However, the customer can rest assured that the extra cost for opting to by organic foods is worth it. You are not exposed to potentially harmful pesticides, and you can be sure that the meat you eat, were not once force-fed or injected with fast-growing hormones.

Sustainable

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This is used to label fish and seafood, and should tell you where and how the foods were caught. If you have a choice, buying this type of fish and seafood is the best one to make, since it means that first of all, they are not under threat in the area in which they were caught, and secondly, that their journey from the sea to the store can be properly traced. This means that you’re getting good quality fish and seafood, while helping the environment at the same time.

Certified

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If products are on sale with the word, certified stamped on the pack, this does not mean anything in itself. They have to be certified by a particular organisation, and classified as ‘certified organic,’ or ‘certified farm fresh.’ The more respected the body of certification, the better able they should be to trace the products and the manner in which they’re garnered, produced and transported.

Fair Trade

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The name, fair trade on a product guarantees that the farmers who grow our food are paid properly and fairly for it. It shows that a fair amount of the money we pay for our products actually reach the people who provided them for us in the first place.

The fair trade mark is well known, and can easily be identified on products especially like coffee, tea, bananas, honey, etc., Buying fair trade may cost us a little extra, but this little goes a long way towards providing adequate fresh water supply, schooling, and health for the world’s poorest people.

Locally Produced

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Many supermarkets add the term, ‘locally produced’ to their packaging. This can mean anywhere from, ‘up the road’ to hundreds of miles away. You have to be vigilant by checking the packaging more keenly to see exactly what their interpretation of ‘locally produced’ is.

Buying labelled produce can go a long way towards repairing the damage we’ve all contributed towards our earth. However, we have to be wise enough to spot when manufacturers are using them to fool us into thinking we’re making a positive contribution, when all we’re doing is filling their pockets as usual.  Know your labels and act accordingly!