The three letters BIO can be found more and more frequently on many products – but what exactly does BIO mean? In addition to a definition of the term, we will also try to give you an overview of which organic quality seals exist in Germany, when a product can be labeled organic and which regulations apply to organic products in detail.

What does BIO really mean?

The term BIO is mostly used in relation to food, but it can also be found on other products such as cosmetics, clothing and household products. But what does BIO actually mean?

In most countries, there are specific rules and regulations that apply to the use of the term BIO. In the case of food, the term BIO refers to products that are mainly made from organically grown ingredients. This means that the use of synthetic pesticides, herbicides and fertilizers has been avoided in their production.

In addition, organic products must also be processed with particular care and under government control to ensure that the nutrients and other important ingredients are retained.

What do organic labels mean and which ones are there?

The food industry in Germany uses several organic labels that can be applied to products. Some of the best-known BIO seals in Germany are

EU-BIO seal

The EU organic seal is awarded by the European Union and applies to products that are made from at least 95% organically grown ingredients.

The German BIO seal

The federal BIO seal is awarded by the German Federal Ministry of Agriculture and applies to products that are made from at least 95% organically grown ingredients.

Other BIO seals

The Naturland seal is awarded by the Naturland Association for Nature and Species Conservation and applies to products that are made from organically grown ingredients and that meet the particularly strict requirements of this association.

© Naturland

The Demeter seal is awarded by the International Society for Biodynamic Agriculture and applies to products made from biodynamically grown ingredients.

© demeter

What is the difference between Demeter and organic?

Demeter is a brand for biodynamic agriculture and food production. Biodynamic agriculture is a form of organic farming based on the teachings of Rudolf Steiner’s anthroposophical philosophy.

In contrast to conventional agriculture, which aims to maximize yields, biodynamic agriculture is about promoting the unity of people, animals and plants and strengthening the self-regulating powers of the soil.

The requirements for biodynamic agriculture and food production are generally even stricter than for organic food. For example, biodynamic livestock farms must grow and harvest a large proportion of their own feed.

Compliance with all requirements for biodynamic agriculture and food production is checked by the Demeter certification body – if the requirements are met, the Demeter seal may be awarded.

How are BIO labels checked?

In Germany, most organic labels are awarded and controlled by special certification bodies that are officially recognized by the European Union or the Federal Ministry of Agriculture.

These bodies carry out regular checks to ensure that the companies continuously meet the requirements of the label. These checks include, for example, a review of documentation and compliance with cultivation methods, processing methods and other requirements. If a company does not comply with the rules of the respective seal, it can be revoked for certain violations.

What rules apply to organic food?

The rules for organic food that are in force in the European Economic Area were laid down in the EU Organic Regulation. This applies to all EU member states as well as Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Switzerland. They determine which requirements organic food must meet in order to be labeled as such.

In general, organic food must be organically grown, i.e. it must not be treated with synthetic pesticides, artificial fertilizers or GMOs (genetically modified organisms).

There are also strict requirements for animal husbandry. You can find out more about this in the next section.

What does organic mean for animal husbandry?

In organic animal husbandry, there are strict requirements for the species-appropriate keeping and feeding of animals. For example, they must have sufficient exercise and must not be treated with antibiotics unless there is a temporary medical need.

In contrast to conventional animal husbandry, where animals are often kept in cramped stables and given artificial feed supplements, animals in organic husbandry have more space and are fed on natural feed.

The requirements for organic animal husbandry are also set out in a separate EU organic regulation and are checked by independent certification bodies. If these requirements are met in full, the relevant livestock farms and corresponding foodstuffs may also bear the organic label.

Why is organic more expensive?

Organically produced food is more expensive than conventionally produced food for several reasons. As no pesticides or artificial fertilizers may be used in organic plant cultivation, weed control is more complex and the yield is usually lower.

As many consumers now prefer organic food, demand in many countries is higher than supply, which drives up prices. The certification of organic food is also associated with costs that have to be factored into the price.

However, there are also factors that can contribute to organic food becoming cheaper. For example, there are now many smaller organic businesses that sell directly to the end consumer, avoiding the need for intermediaries and thus reducing prices. Furthermore, the growing demand for organic food can also help prices to fall, as increasing competition stimulates business, allowing farms to increase their profits and thus reduce costs in the long term.

Why is BIO better?

There are many reasons why organic food is perceived as better. Since neither synthetic pesticides nor artificial fertilizers may be used, the impact on the soil, groundwater and – ultimately – the human organism is lower. Some studies have also shown a higher mineral and vitamin content as well as a higher nutrient density in organic food.

Organic meat is also considered to be of higher quality due to the species-appropriate animal husbandry and the fact that the use of medication is only permitted in exceptional cases. The mandatory avoidance of various additives such as flavor enhancers or preservatives, to which people often have allergic reactions, is also a not insignificant factor in why organic food is considered better.

Conclusion

If you want to do something good for yourself and the environment, it is best to choose products that have a certified organic label.

If informed consumers recognize the nutritional and physiological added value of organic products in the future, significantly more organically produced goods could be offered at lower prices.

Organic colostrum produced in Germany is one of the most valuable organic products that is readily available everywhere in the EU. This is the cow’s first milk, which contains all the essential minerals, vitamins, trace elements and nutrients for the newborn calf and is 99% identical to human breast milk.* Colostrum from Bestvital® is certified organic according to strict guidelines, whereby the organic seal stands for seamless and uncompromising quality control from the cow to the finished end product.

(*Unfortunately, as a manufacturer/distributor of foodstuffs, we are prohibited from making healing statements regarding the effects of colostrum products on humans. We must therefore refer to worldwide medical publications and studies or to the relevant specialist literature).