Certifications & Accreditations
Australian Certified Organic
The majority of organic products sold in Australia carry the Australian Certified Organic BUD Logo. You will see the BUD on a huge variety of products ranging from fresh produce to pantry foods, drinks to clothing.
There are two logos - Australian Certified Organic for Australian origin products and ACO for those sourced globally that meet these strict Austalian standards.
The BUD Logo is displayed as a stamp of integrity, and is the only symbol that consumers widely recognise. The BUD represents everything that Australian organics is about – the growth and promise of spring, the sign of big things growing from the initial organic movement, and the strength and logic of nature and natural (biological and organic) systems in guiding our choices in life. The BUD reassures consumers that all the product ingredients have been certified to the Australian Certified Organic Standard and have met rigorous certification checks. It can only be used on packaging for products which have achieved certification through ACO’s certification scheme. Most importantly, the BUD represents Australia’s leading certification program – ACO – ensuring integrity of organic products in the marketplace for consumers.
The Australian Certified Organic Standard is one of the most respected and rigorous standards in the world for organic production, and is published by organic industry not-for-profit representative group, Australian Organic.
SQF
The Safe Quality Food (SQF) Program is a rigorous and credible food safety and quality program that is recognised by retailers, brand owners, and food service providers world-wide. Recognised by the Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI), the SQF family of food safety and quality codes are designed to meet industry, customer, and regulatory requirements for all sectors of the food supply chain – from the farm all the way to the retail stores.
Achieving this certification is not only a testament to the businesses hard work, it is also a credible demonstration of the businesses commitment to food safety – something that will help the team and customers sleep better at night.
Food Allergen Testing
Food Allergens are proteins in food that create an immune response in sensitive individuals. Once ingested, food allergens can cause a number of reactions, ranging in severity from hives and itching to anaphylaxis. Food manufacturers can protect those with food allergies by clearly labelling their products with a list of ingredients. Testing for the presence of components ensures food manufacturers that an unlabelled and potentially dangerous ingredient did not make its way unintentionally into a product during manufacture.
Verfication and Validation
Verification and validation is an internal periodic assessment that is essential in maintaining a strong food safety regime and ensure our processes are clear and accurate. Validation is the initial determination that the processes are scientifically and technically sound to prevent the hazards. Verification involves evaluating that all hazards have been identified and determines that the food safety plan is properly implemented so these hazards will be effectively controlled. It is a critical component of a food safety plan, because it shows that we’re keeping tabs on our food safety system.
Australian Packaging Covenant
The Australian Packaging Covenant Organisation (APCO) is a co-regulatory, not-for-profit organisation that partners with government and industry to reduce the harmful impact of packaging on the Australian environment.
With close to 1,400 members, APCO is the preferred pathway for businesses to meet environmental protection obligations. APCO believes collaboration is critical among all sectors and government to find the best possible solutions to packaging efficiency and sustainability in Australia. With such a vast and diverse member base, APCO is an ideal avenue for the sharing of best practise resources and strategies to improve packaging design, optimise waste management processes and reduce business costs relating to packaging waste.
