Page 22 - Sphere No.27 (Sep 2010)

20 Sphere
“In sensory terms, flavour and colour can be
better, but food safety is the main area where there
is a difference. A lot of people now worry about
chemical pesticides, not only because these are
going directly into their mouths, but also because
those chemicals are contaminating the environ-
ment and water sources. People know that organic
products are better for the environment,” he said.
When it comes to a more official definition
of what organic is, in most countries now the
word “organic” has a clear legally determined
meaning, and may not be used on packaging or
promotional materials unless certain requirements
have been met.
Internationally these requirements vary in
their nature and stringency, as Nils Buddemeier,
International Products Manager for PARKnSHOP
explained, “You have the United States Department
of Agriculture (USDA) in America, in Australia the
Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service, and
in Europe there are different independent bodies in
different countries.
“Each country has a different interpretation of
‘organic’ produce, but one thing that is the
same for all is that you are not allowed
to use synthetic fertilisers or chemi-
cal pesticides and most, though not
all, are not allowed to use Genetical-
ly Modified produce. Cattle are not
allowed to have injections such as
hormones or antibiotics. If you want
to produce, say, organic apples you are not allowed
to use any kind of artificial pesticides or fertilisers
for three years before you can be certified.”
In the Mainland, organic production is moni-
tored by the China Green Food Development
Centre under the Ministry of Agriculture.
Hong Kong, however, has no legislation
restricting the use of the word “organic” at all,
although the Hong Kong Organic Resource Centre
of the Hong Kong Baptist University is an inde-
pendent body which offers organic certification.
There are consequently products in the market
labelled “organic”, and priced at an accordingly
higher level, which are not in compliance with any
recognised set of certification criteria.
“Everything that we sell is natural and healthy
and many of our items are USDA certified organic,
and that’s the global benchmark for organic cer-
tification. That’s the gold standard,” said Chi-Med
CEO Christian Hogg.
Many consumers see the word organic as
denoting an environmentally responsible lifestyle.
“Some consumers say ‘We want products that
are not only in balance with us but also
farmed in a sustainable way’,” said Mr
Walter. “Then there is the other kind
of consumer who is concerned more
about how closely you interact with
these products. Think of infant for-
mula for instance. You would prob-
ably have a much higher sensitivity
A wide range of organic
products are being
introduced via Watsons
and PARKnSHOP stores.
They range from staples
such as chicken broth,
through skin and hair
care items to baby foods
– the choice is huge.