What is organic?

Organic refers to the way agricultural products - food and fibre - are grown and processed. It is an ecological system that at its core relies on a healthy, rich soil to produce strong plants that resist pests and disease. Organic farming prohibits the use of toxic and persistent chemicals in favor of more "earth-friendly" practices that work in harmony with nature. In the case of livestock, antibiotics are prohibited, opting instead for preventative measures for keeping animals healthy and productive. Growth hormones and the use of genetically modified organisms (GMO's) are also banned.

Organic practices mean:

• No pesticides to contaminate our soil and water or injure farm workers!
• No chemical fertilizer runoff to contaminate our rivers, lakes, oceans and drinking water!
• A healthier and more sustainable environment for us all!

How do I know it's organic?

Organic certification in Canada

Canada unveiled its National Standard for Organic Agriculture in 1999. At this time, the organic standard is not a codified federal regulation. Certification of organic producers and handlers, and accreditation of certifiers to the National Standard of Canada and the ISO 65 guidelines are voluntary, except in Quebec.

The province of Quebec has an organic regulation, which is equivalent to the national standard and requires certification by a certifying body accredited by the CAAQ. The CAAQ (Conseil des appellations agroalimentaires du Québec) acts as the official authority mandated by the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food to manage and monitor the use of reserved agri-food appellations in the province of Quebec. For more details on the Quebec Organic Reference Standards, please click here.

Since Stonyfield Farm yogurt is produced in the province of Quebec, it must abide by these strict guidelines:

Any product labeled as organic and made in Quebec must contain a minimum of 95% organic ingredients, produced to the Quebec Organic Standards, and be verified, inspected and certified by independent 3^rd party organizations that have been accredited by the CAAQ and must follow the practices outlined below.

According to the CAAQ, organic practices include:

For crops:

• No chemical pesticides or weed killers; instead, use mechanical or thermal weeding techniques and organic methods in order to protect crops;
• No synthetic fertilizer or scrubbing sludge; instead, reinforce the soil by using proven agriculture methods such as crop rotation, application of natural manure and spreading of composted organic material;
• No seeds originating from GMO's; instead, use only original seeds;

For animal breeding:

• No antibiotics or growth hormones; instead, use alternative therapeutic techniques such as homeopathy;
• No animal flours in food diets; instead, use feed (fodder, for example) that is cultivated according to organic standards and without GMO's;
• No overpopulation of animals in closed buildings; instead, provide decent living conditions having adequate moving space, sunlight and fresh air.

For processed food products:

• No chemical dyes, artificial flavours or additives resulting from synthesis, thus preserving the original taste;
• No preservatives;
• No irradiation.

Certification includes inspections of farms and processing facilities, detailed record keeping, and periodic testing of soil and water to ensure that growers and handlers are meeting the standards. Certifiers inspect and verify that there is an audit trail tracing all organic ingredients back to the organic fields from which they were grown. All Stonyfield Farm products are third-party certified by Quality Assurance International and Quebec Vrai.