Edition 552 | “Natural” Is Not “Organic”: A Call for Precision, Integrity, and Consumer Clarity

By Anil M V, Director – ORGANIL SERVICES

In today’s information-heavy but clarity-deficient marketplace, words are often misused—none more frequently than “natural” and “organic.” These terms appear interchangeable across product labels, influencer posts, health stores, and wellness pitches. Yet the difference is critical, regulated, and non-negotiable.

Natural products are substances sourced from Nature or plants, animals, or minerals, often used in food, medicine, and personal care, with minimal chemical processing to retain their original essence and bioactivity.

As pharmacognosy expert Prof. David J. Newman notes: “Natural products remain the richest source of structural diversity and pharmaceutical potential.” (Source: Journal of Natural Products, American Chemical Society)

Just because something comes from nature does not make it organic. (Black, Pink, White) Salt is natural. Water is natural. Shilajit is natural. But none of them can be certified as organic.

Organic certification is not a badge for everything Earth-born. It is a system-based assurance—scientifically defined, legally protected, and internationally audited. It speaks to how an agricultural product is grown, harvested, processed, and verified in accordance with specific standards under global organic regulatory frameworks like India’s NPOP, USDA NOP, EU Organic Regulation, and IFOAM principles.

As per India’s National Programme for Organic Production (NPOP) under APEDA:

“The term ‘organic’ shall be used only for products that are produced, processed, and certified according to prescribed organic standards.”

The USDA National Organic Program makes it unequivocal:

“Substances like water and minerals are not agricultural products and cannot be certified organic on their own.”

This is not semantic nitpicking—it’s about credibility, compliance, and consumer protection. When a product like "organic Himalayan salt" or "organic purified shilajit" is marketed without proper context, it misleads consumers, undermines certified operators, and violates both domestic and export compliance standards. The result? Erosion of trust. Devaluation of certification. And increased regulatory scrutiny.

A certified organic label is not a style statement. It is a declaration that the product is part of a traceable, transparent, and ecologically responsible system. This includes everything from seed selection to post-harvest handling, residue testing, and third-party verification.

Global expert Dr. Urs Niggli, former Director of FiBL, powerfully stated:

“Organic is not a collection of natural products. It is a farming system built on designing sustainable ecosystems with clear accountability.”

This clarity matters now more than ever. India’s rapidly growing organic sector is being watched by international regulators, global buyers, and discerning consumers. If the industry allows “organic” to be diluted into a marketing gimmick, genuine certified operators—who invest time, effort, and integrity—stand to lose the most.

At ORGANIL SERVICES, we take a stand. We work with stakeholders who value compliance as currency, not convenience. We ensure that when you say “organic,” you mean what the world expects it to mean—verified through standard protocols, not vague claims.

Let this edition be a call to action: Let’s protect the power of organic by preserving its definition. Let’s educate sellers, correct misleading claims, and uphold certification with intention and authority.

A salt may be pure. A mineral may be potent. But organic? That’s a word that must be earned, not borrowed. Social media or the E-Com business of online are not the guidelines to being Organically Certified always consult with a Organic Certification expertise or your third party body before evolving the idea into a business concept.

For certification support, standard clarification, or compliance consultation, ORGANIL SERVICES is here to guide your journey with clarity, discipline, and global alignment.

📞 +91 8606551335 📧 info@organil.org 🌐 www.organil.org

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