SPOTLIGHT ON ORGANIC FOODS

Collaboration with Boulangerie St-Méthode

The demand for organic foods is on the rise. Striving to adopt an eco-friendly diet, consumers are increasingly seeking out certified organic foods. Is “eating organic” necessarily better for your health? Let’s have a look…

Organic in brief

To be designated organic, a food product must meet several clearly defined specifications.The organic label guarantees an absence of:

• chemical or synthetic fertilizers, pesticides or herbicides
• GMOs in seeds
• antibiotics and growth for breeding
• animal flour in livestock and poultry diets
• closed buildings that contribute to animal overpopulation
• chemical colours, synthetic additives, preservatives and artificial colours in processed foods.

In applying these norms, farmers and ranchers favour:

• mechanical or thermal field maintenance
• soil reinforcement via ecological techniques, like crop rotation and the use of natural fertilizers
• alternative therapies or animal withdrawal if the use of antibiotics is required an organic diet for animals
• an organic diet for animals
• large breeding open spaces

It goes without saying that consumers’ health, the health of the planet, and animal well-being are all core values of organic agriculture.

Certifying bodies

In Quebec, the CARTV (Conseil des Appellations Réservées et des Termes Valorisants / Reserved Designations and Added-Value Claims Council) has accredited 6 certification bodies to label products as “organic”: Ecocert Canada, Letis S.A., Québec-Vrai, Pro-Cert Organic, QAI, and TCO Cert. Look for the “Aliments du Québec – Bio” or “Aliments préparés au Québec – Bio” logos.

An Organic Diet… a Healthier Choice?

The environmental advantages of organic agriculture are well-established, while the benefits on health are less clear. While certain studies show a slight advantage regarding certain vitamins and antioxidants, data is limited. One thing is sure, choosing to eat organic is a practice that goes hand in hand with a sustainable diet… and is without a doubt an excellent way to help protect the environment.

A Wide Choice

In Quebec, there are over 3,400 producers of certified organic products, covering every product category. Deeply committed to the health of the planet, St-Méthode Bakery has innovated by launching a range of 3 certified organic breads. The Kamut, Integral, and Multi-cereal with Sprouted Wheat breads in the La Récolte de St-Méthode range—certified by Ecocert and as Aliments préparés au Québec Bio—are GMO-free and vegan. It’s a range that’s sure to please consumers concerned with the future of our planet.

Summing up

• Organic foods are on the rise 
• Organic eating means reducing your eco-footprint, ensuring animals’ well-being, and protecting the environment. 
• Organic certification involves respecting a rigorously defined set of specifications. 
• The CARTV has recognized 6 certification organizations. 
• St-Méthode Bakery has innovated by launching three certified organic breads in the La Récolte de St-Méthode range.

Want to find out more about St-Méthode Bakery's range of products? CLICK HERE

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