Soil Association Certification

Real Foods and The Soil Association

Last week we explained what the Soil Association symbol stood for and why we include in on the labels of our organic range.

This week we would like to tell you more about the work of The Soil Association.

Real Foods certification with The Soil Association is our guarantee for our customers that when they buy a product from our organic range they can do so with confidence.

Organic standards

The Soil Association has probably the highest and most comprehensive standards for organic production and processing in the world.

Their standards not only meet the UK government's minimum requirements but in many areas are higher.

This is particularly true with animal welfare (for example, poultry) and the use of pesticides and fertilisers.

They have also developed standards for areas not covered by government or EU regulations. Including conservation, fish farming, textiles and health and beauty care products.

Standards are constantly reviewed to keep them up-to-date and to address new issues and developments as they happen.

There is a rigorous and open process to ensure standards remain high, yet attainable.

Certification

Through the not-for-profit business Soil Association Certification Ltd, farms and businesses are inspected and awarded organic certification if the Associations organic standards.

Any product sold as ‘organic’ must comply with strict rules set at UK, European and international levels. These rules (known as standards) assure consumers they are buying genuinely organic products that can be fully traceable back to the farm.

Licensed farms and businesses are inspected at least once each year to check that the standards are being maintained. A number of random spot inspections, which can be unannounced are also carried out. At other times an inspection may be carried out in response to a complaint or concern raised.

With over 36 years' experience, the Association has worked with more businesses than any other certification body - certifying over 4,500 farms and businesses all over the world.

Their experience, knowledge and expertise in all aspects of the organic sector, means the Soil Association symbol is the most recognised organic mark in the UK today.