Antibiotic
Antibiotics are important in the fight against disease and infection, but they become less effective over time if they are used incorrectly or excessively. The widespread use of antibiotics on healthy animals may lower their effectiveness in helping treat human illness. Organic farmers approach herd health holistically, treating animals without the use of antibiotics or hormones.
Antioxidant
A food additive used to help baked goods preserve their flavour by preventing fats and oils from becoming rancid. They also keep fresh fruits from turning brown when exposed to the air.
Biodynamic
Biodynamic farming is an approach based on the work of Austrian philosopher Rudolf Steiner. In addition to organic practices such as crop rotation and composting, biodynamics uses special plant, animal and mineral preparations and the rhythmic influences of the sun, moon, planets and stars to create a thriving agrarian ecosystem. Biodynamic products carry the Demeter label.
Certification/Certified Organic
Organic certification addresses a growing worldwide demand for organic food, and is intended to assure quality and prevent fraud. Certification to full organic status follows after 3 years of conversion. For consumers, "certified organic" serves as a product assurance, similar to "low fat", "100% whole wheat", or "no artificial preservatives". Any product which is certified organic will guarantee the integrity of the product to the customer.
There are 4 certifying agencies in New Zealand (Biogro, Demeter, Agriquality (Certenz), and OrganicFarmNZ).
Conventional
Food produced using modern agricultural methods which allow the use of chemicals and energy inputs typical of large scale mechanised farms (e.g., synthetic fertilisers, routine pesticide spraying, GMO’s and irradiation).
Conversion Organic
The conversion process to full certified status takes a minimum of 3 years, where producers must pass through three conversion stages (yearly). Products from farms in transition to organic may only be labelled ‘conversion to organic’ after 12 months of production using organic methods.
Emulsifier
A food additive used to maintain product consistency and prevent products from separating.
Fair Trade
Items that bear a fair trade label are internationally produced and include banana, pineapple, coffee, and chocolate that typically come from developing countries where workers aren’t always provided the best conditions. Fair trade labelling assures that farmers are paid better-than-conventional prices, are trained on sustainable agriculture practices, work directly with food cooperatives (co-ops), and are often organic. Fair trade's strategic intent is to deliberately work with marginalised producers and workers in order to help them move from a position of vulnerability to security and economic self-sufficiency.
Food Additive
Food additives are substances that are added during the processing or production phase to improve the quality (aesthetic or otherwise) of the final product. Examples of these include preservatives, fortification with vitamins and minerals, flavour enhancers and colouring agents.
Food Allergy/Food Intolerance
Food allergy and food intolerance are both types of food sensitivity. With a food allergy, the immune system reacts to a particular food as if it isn't safe, and can be life threatening if severe. Food intolerance doesn’t involve the immune system and is generally not life-threatening. But if someone eats a food they are intolerant to, this could make them feel ill or affect their long-term health.
Genetic modification (GM)/Genetically Modified Organism (GMO)
The process of changing the genetic material of an organism. Generally this allows expression of a trait that will add to its desirability (e.g., less disease). GMO’s are theorised to reduce production costs due to reduced chemical and mechanical needs in planting, maintenance, and harvest, and conceivably, these savings could be passed onto the consumer. However there is little scientific study about their health risk to humans and their environmental impact.
Growth Promoter
Usually in the form of antibiotics. These are used to destroy or inhibit bacteria, and are administered at low, subtherapeutic doses in animal feeds to improve the quality of the product, with a lower percentage of fat and a higher protein content in the meat. The use of antibiotics for growth promotion has arisen with the intensification of livestock farming.
Hydrogenated Fats
Also known as trans-fats and is a food additive. Hydrogenation is an artificial process that changes liquid vegetable oils into a more solid form in order to lengthen their shelf life. The process also increases the saturated fat content. Public health experts warn that these kinds of fats clog arteries and cause obesity.
Immune System
A complex system that is responsible for distinguishing us from everything foreign to us, and for protecting us against infections and foreign substances. The immune system works to seek and kill invaders.
Organic
Encompasses a production system that prides itself on integrity, sustainability and traceability. At its heart is a commitment to human health, animal welfare and the environment. Organic food is produced by farmers who emphasise the use of renewable resources and the conservation of soil and water to enhance environmental quality for future generations, without using conventional pesticides, fertilisers, bioengineering or ionizing radiation. Organic meat, poultry, eggs, and dairy products come from animals that are given no antibiotics or growth hormones.
Natural
Natural foods do not contain artificial additives or preservatives, but they may contain ingredients that have not been produced organically. Natural foods are not regulated and do not meet the same criteria that organic foods do.
Stabiliser
A food additive use to maintain product consistency and provide a uniform texture.
Sustainable
Capable of being continued with minimal long-term effect on the environment, as with sustainable agriculture, which integrates three main goals: environmental stewardship, farm profitability, and prosperous farming communities. Sustainable development recognises the need to work with living environments in a balanced manner.
