Until recently, organic food was mainly associated with fresh fruit and vegetables. These dominated the market and were the most popular choices among consumers. In recent years, however, the situation has changed — more and more organic processed products are appearing on the market, such as drinks, snacks, bread, cheese and even cold cuts. This raises the question: can people who avoid preservatives and synthetic additives consume these products without concern? How are organic preserves made and what substances can be used in them? Let us take a closer look.
Organic preserves are primarily made from organic raw materials
Organic processing is based on methods that protect the nutritional value and natural character of raw materials. It mainly uses biological, mechanical and physical processes, such as:
- pasteurisation,
- pickling,
- drying,
- freezing,
- baking or frying.
The aim is to create a high-quality product in which the natural properties of the ingredients have been interfered with as little as possible. EU regulations only allow the use of specific technologies and additives listed in the official register.
Microbiological cultures such as baker’s yeast or lactic acid bacteria may also be used in organic processing. Organic products may be enriched with natural flavourings and flavouring substances.
E-additives permitted in organic food
Only a limited number of E additives, listed in Annex V to Commission Regulation (EU) 2021/1165, may be used in organic food production. This list includes about 50 items, which is about 20% of all additives permitted in conventional production.
The most commonly used additives in organic processing are:
- organic acids (e.g. lactic acid, malic acid),
- natural antioxidants such as ascorbic acid or rosemary extract,
- plant-based thickeners: locust bean gum, guar gum, gum arabic,
- a few preservatives, mainly nitrates and nitrites used in limited quantities (max. 80 mg/kg of meat raw material),
- lecithins (including lecithin from non-GMO sources) acting as emulsifiers.
Auxiliary substances used in organic processing
EU regulations also provide for the use of selected processing aids that do not remain in the final product but are necessary for processes such as filtration, clarification or extraction. These include, among others:
- drinking water, vegetable oils, ethyl alcohol,
- cellulose, rice flour, beeswax,
- gelatin, casein, egg protein,
- nitrogen, carbon dioxide, diatomaceous earth,
- activated carbon, nut shells, wood fibre.
Their use is strictly regulated and permitted only in specific applications.
Why are there no GMOs in organic processing?
Both technological additives and ingredients used in organic production must be GMO-free. This is because many substances, such as lecithin used in confectionery, bakery products and sauces, are often obtained from raw materials such as corn or soya from GMO crops.
Therefore, only lecithin and other additives derived from non-GMO raw materials are used in organic products, in accordance with the principle of a total ban on the use of GMOs in organic farming.
What is the scale of additive use in organic processed products?
Analyses published in 2020 show that organic products containing technological additives account for only about 17% of the total range of processed organic food. Of the dozens of additives permitted in processing, only about 20% were used.
This means that organic processed foods are generally produced with minimal technological intervention, and additives are used with great caution and only when absolutely necessary.
Bibliography
- Biller E., Waszkiewicz–Robak B., Obiedziński M., Grzymała K. Analysis of the use of additives in processed organic products. PTPS 2020, No. 1, pp. 121–127.
- Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2021/1165 of 15 July 2021.
- Regulation (EU) 2018/848 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 30 May 2018.
- What is processed food? Should we be afraid of it? https://dietetycy.org.pl/zywnosc-przetworzona/
- Council Regulation (EC) No 834/2007 on organic production and labelling of organic products.
- EU Organic Farming – Official Portal: https://agriculture.ec.europa.eu/farming/organic-farming_en
- EU Organic Production Rules – Technical Guidance: https://food.ec.europa.eu/safety/organic-production/legislation_en
