Beretta Family Farms has been certified organic by the Organic Crop Producers and Processors (OCPP) and Pro-Cert Canada (OCPRO). Certified organic is not the same as “natural”, “antibiotic free”, “free-range”, or any of the other clever and misleading marketing angles used by non-certified producers. For example, claiming a product is “antibiotic free” may really mean “antibiotic free” for a certain time, such as the last 4 weeks before the animal is slaughtered. In contrast, certified organic practices prohibit the use of antibiotics, period. This means in order to be “certified organic” like our products there is no chance the animals were subjected to antibiotics during any certain stage of the animals’ growth.
Biotechnology is something we are all concerned about. The mainstream use of Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO’s) in our food products is worrisome. Certified organic means it is guaranteed that absolutely no Genetically Modified Organisms are in the product, a fact that “natural” meat cannot guarantee. Everything in nature is linked: the feed and land are as important as the way the animal is raised.
So what exactly does it mean to be Certified Organic?
Pesticides and chemical fertilizers are never used on any animal during or after their maturity. The animals must be fed from the crops grown on land that has not been sprayed with pesticides or chemicals for a minimum of three years. Other main characteristics include:
• No Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO’s) are permitted in the animals’ feed
• No anti-biotic or growth hormones (implants) are permitted
• No Animal By-Products are ever permitted
• Third party verification and inspection are required by an accredited certifying body
• A thorough audit trail is required to trace all certified organic products back to the farm of origin
• The organic processor must maintain and update an organic processing and handling plan
• The farm must monitor soil and water quality at all times
Keep asking questions about your food, and in the case of organic products, why it is not certified. You’ll be amazed at some of the answers!
