Organic Salt
Overview
Organic salt cannot be "organically grown", as it is a mineral, not a plant. If you are looking for “Certified Organic” sea salt then you are looking for salt with the Nature & Progrés and BIO-GRO certification. These certificates that guarantee organic sea salt and organic production are issued by Nature & Progrés in France and BIO-GRO in New Zealand. This certification is awarded to saltworks that are located in a nature reserve, without risk of pollution, producing strictly by hand, without purifying the salt, and fulfilling the high standards in chemical analytics.
How do you define organic sea salt?
 |
|
BIO-GRO Certification - New Zealand
One of the biggest differences between conventional and organic food production is the requirement for certification. Organic certifiers represent the consumer, and provide the guarantee that the food is grown to an acceptable organic production standard. Organic certification focuses on guaranteeing the quality of the production of that food by setting and verifying the standard for all farm inputs and the management of the operation. Consumers pay significant premiums for certified organic food because they trust the integrity of recognized organic trademarks. The two internationally recognized certification standards in New Zealand are BIO-GRO for organic farming and Demeter for bio-dynamic farming. Organic standards are benchmarked internationally by the IFOAM Basic Standards, the Codex Alimentarius Organic Guideline, and the EU Organic Regulation. Japan MAFF is currently implementing the Japan National Standard, and the USA National Organic Standard was released last December. There is increasing commonality and harmonization between these various international organic standards on such things as a definite no to GMOs (see below), while still allowing for regional differences, eg livestock management. There are two aspects of organic certification: standards – the production rules, what producers can and can’t do – and verification – the audit systems which verify that the producers are complying with the standards. The verification process requires the producers to document a full management plan, and record all inputs. Producers are audited twice in their first year with BIO-GRO, then at least annually after that. There is a three year conversion period from the start of organic practices till the first certified organic harvest. Products from the property can be labeled as “Conversion" during the second and third year of verification, and labeled as "Certified Organic" from 3 years on.
New Zealand Natural is 100% BIO-GRO Certified sea salt.
|
 |
|
Nature & Progrés Certification - France
Frances certification is awarded to harvested and processed salt according to Organic methods and standards. Nature & Progrés is the highest and most stringent level of certification allowed. The quality chart guarantees: Full traceability including the origin. The producer is identified and regularly controlled by the independent certifying body. The salt is unrefined and all natural. The salt is harvested in a protected, non polluted environment. The ponds are located a minimum of 500m away from main roads and are free from pesticides, chemical residue, industrial fumes or air pollution. Respect of product quality from harvest to final packaging. The salt harvesters use only untreated wooden or polyethylene tools. It is mandatory that there is protection between the ground and the salt. The salt must be harvested with nonpolluting equipment.
Le Tresor, Le Paludier, and Breton™ are made exclusively with Nature & Progrés inspected & approved sea salts.
Nature & Progrès Certification
Nature & Progrès specifications for unrefined sea-salt
A1 Geographic Origin and Environments
A1.1 Origin
Atlantic Ocean
A1.2 Environment
Salt ponds situated in nature reserve or nature park;
Without influence of big industrial plants (prevailing winds);
Minimal distance from main traffic lines: 500 meters;
Without risk of contamination through chemical fertilizers and
pesticides;
A1.3 Water circulation
Exclusively Atlantic waters;
Circulation depending only on gravity;
Circuit independent of fishponds;
A1.4 Maintenance of the salt ponds
Manual, mechanical and thermal maintenance out of production
period and out of breeding time of water birds
A2 Production Standards
A2.1 Working techniques
Traditional crafting & manual harvesting in salt ponds with
clay floors;
Natural water circulation and evaporation through sun and wind;
Washing and artificial drying are not allowed.
A2.2 Tools and materials
Wooden tools without chemical treatment;
No asbestos cement is allowed.
Light tools in stainless steel;
Aluminum shovels may be used temporarily.
Poly-ethylene (PE) is allowed for utensils.
Maintenance products for wooden and metal tools have to match
N&P organic environment standards.
A2.3 Transportation and stockholding
Open-air mounting within the working area;
Covering with PE or Ethyl-vinyl-acetate foil;
Separation between floor and salt;
Permanent cleansing of the stockholding premises,
especially before and after handling;
Use of low-emission transport machinery (gas or electric motor).
A3 Processing and Packaging
A3.1 Coarse Salt
Washing is not allowed.
Any processing that alters the product is forbidden.
Drying only through sun and wind;
Packing in big-bags, of PE or poly-propylene (PP);
Additives like iodine, magnesium, fluoride are not allowed.
A3.2 Fine Salt
Same as 3.1, additionally:
Grinding method may not alter the product’s quality.
A3.3 Aromatic Salt
Only allowed when certified organic herbs and vegetables are used.
A3.4 Other salt (e.g. for animals ...)
Admissible share of unsolvable substances: 10% max.
A3.5 Packaging material
Allowed are:
Glass containers;
Parafined cardboard (boxes);
PE-bags;
Containers made of high-pressure-PE and PP;
Packs containing aluminum:
This may not be in direct touch with the salt.
A3.6 Humidity absorbers
Allowed are capsuled mineral or natural organic substances.
|
|
 |
Salt Resource Center
General Information:
Health Related:
Cooking / Culinary Related:
Bath and Spa Related:
Dead Sea Related:
|
