Organic goods gaining ground in local markets

CEBU, Philippines – Organic products are slowly penetrating the local markets as several consumers caught in the “wellness” bandwagon have triggered a spike in the demand for organic products.

But how should shoppers protect themselves from buying goods which are labeled as "organically produced" but are not actually products of organic processes?

Jessilyn Uy, a neophyte organic farmer in Cebu, raised concerns on local retailers who are making consumers believe that what they are selling are organically produced.

“Ipinalalabas nila na organic pero anong assurance ng mga buyers na organic talaga ang mga ito?” Uy shared her plight at the sidelines of a natural farming forum recently held in Cebu.

She said organic growers like her have considered the event as unjust as organic producers have to be certified first by an organic certifying body before they can release their produce to the market.

The private sector-led Organic Certification Center of the Philippines  is the country’s official agency that certifies organic goods.

But Uy, who owns God’s Grace Farm, pointed out not all products labeled as organic are certified with OCCP. She asked the DA to take an action on the matter as it deceives consumers in buying the supposed “genuine” products.

Uy’s farm is certified with Negros Island Certification Services, a new organic certification body.

She explained organic farmers follow strict standards as part of the certification in the production and handling of organic goods.

“Kaya yun ang concern ko na unfair para sa amin [organic growers] na nagpapakahirap kami sa certification pero ang bilis sinusulat nila na organic pero hindi pala,” she added.

Wilberto Castillo, chief of DA-7’s Regional Crop Protection Center, said the agency deployed inspection teams to big supermarkets such as SM, Rustans, Robinsons, etc. to remind them of not placing fake organic labels.

He, however, claimed the department has set moratorium on the regulation until 2016. He also assured they would send letters to these stores identified to have been selling organic products.

In 2010, former President Arroyo singed the Organic Agriculture Act (RA 10068) to further strengthen the legality of the Philippine National Standard for Organic Agriculture.

The said law also orders that organic certification is mandatory which implies an organic grower who claims her products as organic should be certified.

The PNS covers all farm products labeled as “organic”.