FAQ

FAQ

Useful information about organics

Are you keen to find out more about our biozentrale products and about organic foods in general?
Here you can search for specific topics that interest you:

• Questions about organic foods
• Questions about the biozentrale brand
• Product queries

Questions about organic foods

What distinguishes organic foods from conventional products?
Organic products are produced according to the rules of the EU-Eco-regulation.
At least 95 percent of any product with this marking must be derived from ecological forms of agriculture. If farmers can prove this, their produce receives the organic seal of approval and is therefore certified as organic.

What kinds of advantages do organic foods have?
As a matter of principle, they are produced without using gene technology. The selection of the plants is also crucial, firstly because they have not been altered through selective breeding to make them suitable for the manufacture of industrial mass market products. And secondly because crop rotation reduces the strain on the soil so that more nutrients can be taken up by the plants.

Why are organic foods more expensive than other products?
Organic foods are always especially nutritious. Also, organic agriculture is considerably more labor-intensive than conventional agriculture. Maintaining animal welfare and working in harmony with the land is very cost-intensive. The farmer needs outdoor areas for the animals to roam and graze on as well as much larger stable areas. The avoidance of synthetic chemical fertilizers or herbicides and pesticides also means that yields are much lower, since any local unfavorable conditions cannot be compensated for by applying chemical fertilizers. In addition, the farmers have a much greater workload. The overall production process is very cost- and labor-intensive, both for the farmers and the individual farms. The checks that are involved also cost money and cause additional preparation and analysis costs. The checks have to be paid for by the farms themselves. The farmer can't sell his products as organic products for the first few years although he is already producing them according to the appropriate standards.

What's more, extra costs arise for distributing and transporting the products. The much lower quantities that are produced mean that the manufacturing and transportation costs are greater compared to conventional products.

Are the products really organic as stated on the label?
Products which are produced according to the EU-Eco-regulation are subject to the corresponding rules.
This means:

• Regular monitoring of compliance with the guidelines
• Standardized guidelines across Europe
  

What are the environmental benefits of organic agriculture?
By definition, agriculture involves interfering with nature. However, the negative impacts of biologically and ecologically based forms of agriculture are much smaller.

The products contain fewer environmental toxins and residues since no synthetic chemical fertilizers and plant protection agents are used. Refraining from the use of powerful chemical fertilizers and plant protection agents primarily reduces pollution of ground and surface water.  

In addition, an organically farmed field provides a richer habitat for microbes and small creatures which would not be found in a conventionally farmed field.

What's more, biologically based agriculture also has benefits in terms of a reduced climate change impact. Carefully managed, ecologically based production uses less energy and consequently helps to protect the climate.

Questions about the biozentrale brand

What is Bio-Zentrale?
Since it was founded in 1976, Bio-Zentrale Naturprodukte GmbH has specialized in the production, processing and marketing of foods produced on monitored and certified organic farms.

What brands does Bio-Zentrale market?
We market products under the "biozentrale" and "BioKids" brands

What are our stated aims and standards?

• •The certified origin and pure, organic nature of our products are key to the way in which we put our product range together
• •Even more rigorous conditions for the production of organic foods: our guidelines for all the raw materials that are used and for the processing of them often exceed the standards set out in the EU-Eco-regulation
• •The whole biozentrale range is about providing tasty food so you can enjoy nature's bounty with a clear conscience – while tickling your taste buds
• •Responding directly to changes in consumers' requirements with an innovative and varied product offering
• •Continually expanding the range while taking account of consumers' needs

Questions about the products

Maple syrup – what does a grade A designation mean?
This provides information about the quality of the maple syrup. Grade A maple syrup has a fairly mild taste and is light amber-brown in color. It is harvested in the first two weeks of the harvesting period.

Amaranth – what is it?
Amaranth is a plant which grows naturally in South America and is also known as the "gold" of the Incas and Aztecs owing to its golden-yellow color. Due to its subtle nutty flavor, amaranth is ideal for baking or as an accompaniment to substantial main dishes.

Couscous – what is it?
Couscous is a type of durum or semolina wheat flour from North Africa, and it is used as an accompaniment to substantial main dishes. It also forms the basis of our biozentrale oriental taboulé in which the couscous is seasoned with finely chopped mint and tomatoes.

Grain – what's the right way to store it?
Grain should be stored in an air-tight container in a cool and dry place. A temperature of about 12°C is ideal for storing it. If the grain is stored for a long period, you should transfer it into a fresh, dry container with an air-tight seal.

Olive oil – what does "extra virgin olive oil" mean?
The designation "extra virgin olive oil" is used for the highest quality grade of oils. This means that only well-established mechanical processes, such as cold pressing, are allowed to be used in the production of the olive oil. In addition, the oil must meet the highest standards in terms of its taste and composition.

General product questions

Which products are vegan?
2016-06-08-Vegan-Liste

Which products are gluten-free?
2016-06-08-Vegan-Liste

Which products are lactose-free?
2016-06-08-Vegan-Liste