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What Is Organic?

Certified Organic products are grown and processed without the use of synthetic chemicals, fertilisers, or GMO's*(see definition below). It is an innovative method of farming and production and is increasingly being recognised as being on the leading edge of food and fibre technology into the future. Organics is not just chemical free by testing. It is about the way the product ingredients have been grown, prepared, processed and packaged. The whole system is linked;

Soil Plants People Environment

Standards to achieve certification are internationally recognised and are assured through annual audits of all certified operators by an independent third party auditor.

What is a GMO?

A genetically modified organism (GMO) is a plant, animal or microorganism whose genetic code has been altered (subtracted from, or added to either the same species or a different species) in order to give it characteristics that it does not have naturally.

Scientists can now transfer genes between species that otherwise would be incapable of mating, for example, a goat and a spider. This is what we call transgenesis. Little is known about the long-term effects of such manipulations on humans, plants, animals and/or the environment. And while some see GMO's as the way to the future, others believe that scientists have gone too far, tinkering with the essence of life.


Why Choose Certified Organic?

The only way customers can be assured that they are purchasing Real Organic products produced without the use of synthetic chemicals and GMO's is to purchase products which have been organically certified with a leading independent certifying body such as the;

ACO (Australian Certified Organic) USDA(US Department of Agriculture)
BFA (Biological Farmers of Australia) IFOAM(International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements)

Five Benefits of Choosing Certified Organic:

  1. Good for the soil
    Organic systems rely on a modern and scientific understanding of ecology and soil science, while also depending on traditional methods of crop rotations to ensure fertility and weed and pest control.
  2. Good for the environment
    Organic systems aim to reduce dependence on non-renewable resources. Organic production aims at all times towards sustainability whilst having best management of the environment and wildlife as a priority.
  3. Good for people
    Organic based ingredients have been shown in a number of studies to contain more vitamins, nutrients and cancer-fighting antioxidants than non-organic ingredients.
  4. No synthetic chemicals
    Organic systems prohibit the use of artificial chemicals, pesticides and fertilisers.
  5. No GMO's
    Certified Organic products are produced without GMOs, which are prohibited in the standards for organic food and farming.

Organic Certifications

Currently, body care products are not required to comply with the stringent organic food standards maintained by certification bodies such as the BFA and NASAA in Australia and the USDA in America, hence the plethora of so many "organic" body care products now on the market.

Since water is the primary ingredient in many cosmetics, some manufacturers are claiming to use organic hydrosols, or floral water, to green wash their products and make organic label claims whilst using the same synthetic toxic ingredients that would NEVER be allowed in organic food products. We believe this practice has the potential to destroy the integrity of the organic name.


There are two levels of certification for organic food products that miessence® skin care products comply with:

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    Products branded "miessence® certified organics" are certified organic:

    These products contain (excluding water and salt) at least 95% organically produced agricultural ingredients. The remaining ingredients (up to 5%) can be non-agricultural substances or non-organically produced agricultural ingredients, with strict processing criteria (eg. absolutely no GMOs or synthetics chemicals).

    These products bear the Australian Certified Organic logo.

  •  

    Products branded "miessence® organics" are either made with organic ingredients or are mineral-based products:

    Made with organic ingredients products contain (excluding water and salt) at least 70% organically produced agricultural ingredients. Any remaining can be non-agricultural substances (eg, clay, bicarb soda, minerals) or non-organically produced agricultural ingredients, with strict processing criteria (eg. absolutely no GMOs or synthetics chemicals).

    Mineral-based products contain non-agricultural substances (eg, clay, bicarb soda, minerals), with strict processing criteria (eg. absolutely no GMOs or synthetics chemicals).

    These products bear the BFA Registered Product logo.

  •  

    These products meet the strict ingredients and processing criteria in accordance with the United States Department of Agriculture's National Organic Program.