Section 8:
Processing, handling, packaging, storage, distribution and retailing of organically produced products
(1) All equipment, vehicles and re-usable containers used for conventional product shall be properly cleaned and free from residues before being used for organically produced products: Provided that dedicated lines are preferred.
(2) Material used for packaging shall not contaminate the products and the use thereof shall take into consideration the effect it may have on the environment
Packaging materials, and storage containers, or bins that contain a synthetic fungicide, preservative, or fumigant are prohibited.
If second hand containers such as carton boxes are used for packing or transport, special care must be taken to prevent contamination of the product.
(3) Organically produced products shall be protected from co-mingling with non-organic produced products during processing, handling, packaging, storage, distribution and retailing.
Milk, eggs and egg-products from organic farming shall be collected independently from non-organic milk, eggs and egg-products. However, and subject to prior approval by the certifier, simultaneous collection may be permitted, where appropriate measures are taken to prevent any possible mixture of exchange with non-organic products, and where the identification of the organic products is clear. The operator will be required to keep all information relating to collection days, hours, circuit and date and time of reception of the products, and make the information available to the certifier.
(4) All products shall be adequately identified through the whole process. This includes storage of organic products, which requires that areas must be managed to ensure identification of lots, and to avoid any mixing with or contamination by non-organic products.
(5) Methods shall be set to prevent and control pollutants and contaminants.
(6) Decontamination, cleaning and/or disinfection programmes shall be set for facilities where organic products are kept, handled, processed, stored and sold.
(7) The following treatments/conditions of storage are permitted:
(a) Modified and controlled atmosphere.
(b) Temperature control.
(c) Drying.
(d) Humidity regulation.
(8) All ingredients used in an organic processed product shall be organically produced except for those additives and processing aids that appear in Annexures VII and VIII and non-organically produced ingredients that appear in Annex X and are in compliance with the labelling requirements. However, in cases where an ingredient of organic origin is unavailable in sufficient quality or quantity, Afrisco may authorise the use of non-organic raw materials subject to periodic review and re-evaluation. These materials shall not be GMOs.
(9) The ingredients of non-agricultural origin allowed in processing of organically produced products as well as the permitted processing aids are indicated in Annexures VII and VIII: Provided that --
(a) they are indispensable for ensuring the safety of the food;
(b) they are essential to prepare or preserve such food; or
(c) they are legally required.
(10) The operator must regularly evaluate the substances indicated in Annexures VII and VIII which are used on the operation against the criteria in Annexure I to re-confirm the organic status thereof or to identify possible alternatives that are of better organic status.
(11) Synthetic dyes may not be used for cosmetic alteration of organic product.
(12) The following processes are permitted:
(a) Mechanical and physical.
(b) Biological.
(c) Smoking.
(d) Extraction.
(e) Precipitation.
(f) Filtration.
(g) Distillation.
(13) Extraction shall only take place with water, ethanol, plant and animal oils, vinegar, carbon dioxide or nitrogen of food grade quality (where appropriate) as indicated in Annexure VIII.
(14) Filtration substances shall not contain asbestos or other substances that can negatively affect the product.