Packaging and labeling are where two goals meet: protecting product quality over the long term, and complying with destination market regulations. A good shipment can still be rejected if the label is incorrect.
Protective function of packaging
Packaging needs to withstand long-distance transportation conditions: vibration, stacking, changes in humidity and temperature. With fresh agricultural products, packaging design also affects air circulation and heat release during cold storage. Materials in direct contact with organic products must comply with the standards.
General labeling requirements
- Product name, volume, country of origin.
- Information about the manufacturer or exporter.
- Batch code for retrieval.
- Reference to organic certification organization.
Differences between markets
Each market has its own regulations on how the term "organic" is presented, on the use of an official organic logo, on required language on labels, and on nutritional information or allergy warnings for processed products. Using a market's organic logo often comes with specific conditions and needs to be confirmed by a certification organization as allowed for that batch of goods.
Checking process before printing
Before ordering large quantities of printing, label samples should be sent to the buyer and, if necessary, to the certification organization for review. The cost of correcting a label error at the design stage is very small compared to the cost of the entire shipment being detained at the port of entry.
Labeling and organic integrity
The label is the final link in the chain that reaches the consumer. The information on the label must match the batch records, so that if there is a complaint or recall, the product can be traced back to the correct source.
