The Organic Illusion: How ‘Organic’ products in India are misleading you

In an age where wellness is marketed at every corner, “organic” has become the golden word on grocery shelves. Across India, consumers are increasingly drawn to organic food, especially dairy and vegetables, believing it to be healthier, cleaner, and safer. But behind these labels lies a murky landscape of loose regulation, fake claims, and marketing over truth.

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What Is truly organic?

In India, the term “organic” is defined by APEDA (Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority) and monitored by FSSAI (Food Safety and Standards Authority of India).
To be certified organic, a product must:

• Be grown without synthetic chemicals, fertilizers, pesticides, or GMOs
• Be produced on land not exposed to chemical inputs for at least three years
• Follow eco-friendly farming methods like crop rotation, composting, and natural pest control
• Undergo certification and periodic inspection

However, many brands misuse the label without meeting these conditions.

The Mind Game: Organic = Expensive = Safe?

From milk and curd to fruits and jaggery, organic goods are priced 3 to 6 times higher than their non-organic counterparts.
Brands thrive on the assumption that:

• “Expensive = Better”
• “Organic = Healthy”
• “Farm-fresh = Certified”

But most consumers are not aware of the official certification requirements, and many local brands don't display valid APEDA or FSSAI seals.

Facts & figures: India’s organic story

• Sikkim is India’s only 100% organic state (declared in 2016)
• Over 800 organic brands are active in India
• Yet only a fraction are certified by government agencies

Most popular “Organic” products in India

1. Dairy Products

• Milk (cow, buffalo, goat)
• Paneer, Ghee, Butter, Yogurt
• Ice Cream, Khova, Pedha, Barfi

2. Vegetables

• Leafy Greens (Spinach, Amaranth)
• Roots (Carrot, Beetroot, Radish)
• Fruits (Tomato, Pumpkin, Okra)

3. Fruits

• Mango, Apple, Papaya, Pomegranate
• Grapes, Jamun, Lemon

4. Grains & Pulses

• Rice, Wheat, Ragi, Jowar, Bajra
• Millets, Lentils, Bengal Gram

5. Meat & Poultry

• Organic Chicken, Eggs, Goat, Pork
• Free-range Fish, Mutton

How are you being misled?

• Non-organic inputs used in farming
• Lack of traceability or proper labelling
• Fake claims of being “farm fresh” or “chemical-free”
• No lab tests, certification numbers, or expiry tracking

FSSAI: The food law watchdog

The FSSAI was established under the Food Safety and Standards Act (2006) to regulate all food businesses in India. It subsumed older food laws like:

• Milk and Milk Products Order, 1992
• Meat Food Products Order, 1973
• Fruit Products Order, 1955

FSSAI Functions:

• Licensing food manufacturers and sellers
• Checking food adulteration and false claims
• Penalizing violators and unsafe producers
• Recommending product recalls if needed

Penalties for Violation:

• Fine up to Rs 10 lakh
• Imprisonment up to 5 years
• Business license suspension or cancellation

How to know you’re buying real organic

Before you pay extra, check for these signs:

• APEDA or FSSAI certification mark
• Full packaging details (license number, date of expiry)
• Brand transparency -source, farm, lab test reports
• Avoid products with only “natural” or “farm fresh” as proof

A Broken promise to farmers?

Many small farmers adopt partial organic practices, yet can’t afford certification. On the other hand, large brands sell mislabeled goods without penalty. This hurts genuine organic producers, whose products get lost in a sea of imposters.