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The challenges of an institutional label for organic coffee

In recent years, the consumption of organic coffee has grown in the world, in Europe and in France. Indeed, consumers are more attentive to the origins of products and to the protection of the environment. To help them differentiate products and choose a real organic coffee, labels have been created by states, associations or business groups.

Institutional labels are part of these certifications that distinguish organic coffees. But what is the difference between the French institutional label AB and the European organic label Eurofeuille? What are the guarantees offered by an institutional label? We suggest you discover all the advantages of the institutional label to promote organic coffee.

 

The role of an institutional label for coffee consumers

From food scandals to environmental degradation, consumers are turning to organic products that offer them real guarantees. The role of an institutional label is to help coffee consumers find high-quality, planet-friendly ground coffee or coffee beans.

An institutional label to buy high quality organic coffee

Coffee beans are produced all over the world. In different countries of Africa, Asia or America, small and large producers produce coffee beans that are then marketed in Europe and France. By purchasing an organic coffee certified by an institutional label, the consumer knows that he is consuming coffee of the highest quality, whether it is :

  • ground coffee ;
  • coffee beans ;
  • pure origin coffee ;
  • 100% Arabica coffee;
  • 100% robusta coffee;
  • assembly coffee ;
  • etc.

An institutional label is a certification that guarantees impeccable traceability. But, this labeling offers many other advantages concerning the health of the consumers or the protection of the environment.

Organic coffee, institutional labels and consumer health

If organic coffee is so popular with consumers, it is because the certification guarantees them a healthy product. In fact, an organic coffee with an institutional label is a product that does not contain :

  • pesticides ;
  • fertilizers ;
  • weed killers ;
  • GMO;
  • flavor enhancers ;
  • dyes ;
  • synthetic chemical flavors ;
  • etc.

Thanks to the labeling process, the chains guarantee healthy products. An institutional label allows you to take full advantage of all the benefits of organic coffee. Indeed, coffee, whether it is bean or ground, has real health benefits. For example, coffee is known to improve brainpower and stimulate metabolism as well as the production of serotonin and dopamine.

The environmental and societal challenges of an institutional organic coffee label

Finally, an institutional label is dedicated to promoting products that respect the earth and mankind. Organic coffee farming is an agriculture that :

  • preserves biodiversity and natural resources;
  • limits greenhouse gas emissions;
  • participates in the development of the territory;
  • promotes the work of local producers.

This sustainable and ecological way of growing coffee beans helps to protect the environment. A committed roaster is one that selects high quality coffee beans and works closely with local producers in Africa, Asia or America.

Together, they set up processes to optimize the cultivation of coffee trees and offer consumers coffee beans or ground coffee with unforgettable aromas. In order to obtain labels, they must comply with very demanding standards that concern the production, harvesting and distribution of coffee beans.

The two main institutional labels used to certify organic coffee

To offer all these guarantees to consumers, several institutional labels have been set up. We present you the two most known by the French consumers. First of all, there is the French institutional label: the AB label for Organic Agriculture. Then, at the European level, it is a green leaf that is affixed to the packages of organic coffee: the Eurofeuille label.

The French AB label and organic coffee certification

The French label AB was created by the French government. It is a brand owned by the Ministry of Agriculture and Food. A coffee with the AB label is a coffee that is 100% organic or contains at least 95% organic agricultural products.

A product with the AB label may have other certifications, such as a fair trade label or an ethical label. Fair trade labels are awarded by organizations according to very precise criteria. While the organic label focuses on crops, the fair trade label highlights an economic model.

Certified organic coffees from organic farming offer many guarantees as we have seen before. They are also products with a unique taste that can be enjoyed throughout the day.

The European Eurofoil label and its green leaf on organic coffee packages

The Eurofeuille logo is a European label awarded to products that comply with the specifications of organic farming. While the AB logo is optional, the Eurofoil logo is mandatory for organic coffee pre-packaged in the European Union. In addition, each package of organic coffee must specify:

  • the name of the producer ;
  • the name of the preparer ;
  • the name of the distributor ;
  • the accreditation number of the certification body.

Like the AB label, other logos can be used in addition to the Eurofoil logo. Among the other national, international and private certifications, we can mention :

  • the Fairtrade Max Havelaar label for fair trade;
  • B Corp certification for socially responsible companies;
  • the international Demeter certification for biodynamic agriculture;
  • the Fair For Life label for fair trade;
  • etc.

The controls carried out to guarantee the quality of a certified organic coffee

To obtain an institutional label, each actor in the coffee production and distribution chain must be controlled:

  • the producer;
  • the preparer ;
  • the distributor ;
  • the importer ;
  • etc.

All these actors are also subject to regular controls in order to verify the respect of the organic standards and the characteristics specific to each certification. Whether it is an unannounced inspection at the producer's or at the distributor's, the organic coffee actors must ensure that they maintain the quality of their work in order to keep their certification.

The development of organic products in the international coffee market has made it necessary to strengthen the quality of these controls. Thus, consumers are able to judge the quality-price ratio of each package of coffee they buy. They can also participate in the protection of the environment and the fight against global warming while enjoying their favorite drink every day.

To summarize, an institutional label makes iteasy to identify coffee beans and ground coffee from organic farming. It is a guarantee of quality for the health of the consumer, but also for the preservation of the environment and biodiversity.

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