If you have ever paused to consider whether organic foods are pesticide-free, it’s worth knowing that even possessing organic certification doesn’t mean there is a complete absence of chemical residues.
We’re not saying it; a survey carried out by NSF indicates that about three out of four Spaniards questioned hold this belief. However, this is a widespread error that highlights the importance of understanding what an organic label really means on these foods and the information that consumers can access.
Choosing organic foods often reflects a desire to consume products produced by methods more respectful of the environment and subject to specific requirements; however, this does not mean that those guarantees are 100% assured by that organic certification.
This certification sets requirements about agricultural and livestock practices, the use of authorized substances, traceability, and labeling; but it does not imply that detecting residues is impossible. Therefore, a certified organic food does not necessarily equate to a zero-residue product.
In this context, improving labeling information and explaining more precisely the scope of the certification can help consumers make more informed purchasing decisions. Understanding what a seal means allows evaluating its guarantees without confusing them with absolute statements about the food’s composition.
What the Organic Certification Says About the Products
Organic products already play an important role in the purchasing habits of Spanish consumers, especially among younger generations, but incorrect ideas about what the organic label truly means persist.
According to a study conducted among Spanish consumers by NSF, a global public health organization, organic products account for 32% of the shopping basket among those under 35, compared with 23% among those over 55. Yet this interest coexists with erroneous perceptions about what the organic certification means.
Three out of four Spanish consumers (76%) believe that organic products are free of pesticide residues, although organic standards regulate how the food is produced and do not guarantee “zero residues.”
Confusion also extends to the producers behind organic products. Almost a third of consumers (32%) believe that organic products come only from small holdings, even though farms of any size can be certified as organic.
There is also uncertainty about the terms used on labels. Although “eco” and “bio” are protected terms under European regulations and can only be used on products certified as organic, only 55% of consumers associate “eco” with official organic standards, while less than half, 46%, recognize “bio” as the terminology legally associated with the organic product.
“In organic, trust is part of the product,” says Verónica Llorens, head of Food, Production and Labeling at NSF Spain. “Spanish consumers already value organic products, and most are willing to pay more for them, but they want evidence they can see and understand. Producers, brands, and retailers who make the verification visible and explain what justifies that price differential will be better positioned to grow.”
The study reveals a paradox surrounding organic products: 67% of consumers assume that messages about organic products are checked before the products can be sold, but 68% fear that some of those messages may be misleading.
There remains a gap between what consumers think “organic” means and what the certification actually verifies. This lack of clarity directly affects trust. Only 39% of consumers generally trust organic labels and 47% believe they do not clearly explain what has been verified and what has not.
Very Detailed Requirements
Almost a third of consumers (32%) believe that organic products come only from small holdings, even though farms of any size can be certified as organic.
The results also suggest that parents place greater value on third-party verification. The 68% states that independent certification gives them confidence in the messages about organic product, compared with 55% of those without children.
“Spain is one of the leading organic producers in Europe, and its organic farms and food businesses are subject to highly detailed requirements for traceability and labeling,” notes Maria Chiva Silvestre, technical manager of organic certification at NSF.
“But the study shows there is still a gap between the technical work behind an organic label and what consumers understand when they see it. The sector’s opportunity is to make more visible to the consumer what is verified, how it is certified, and what organic really means,” she adds.
The study shows that organic products already play a significant role in the purchasing habits of Spanish consumers. On average, they account for 25.8% of the declared shopping basket, and 84% of respondents identify at least one benefit associated with their consumption, particularly in terms of health and safety, environmental protection, quality, and nutrition.
