Look for the UAE Organic Mark

Abu Dhabi: A hundred and three local organic farms have been certified by the Emirates Authority for Standardisation and Metrology (Esma) over the last four years, bringing to UAE consumers a total of 2,701 organic produce items in the UAE, a top official told Gulf News.

Certain prerequisites need to be met for these local organic farms to start operation, said Abdullah Al Maeeni, director-general of Esma.

“Those who are willing to open an organic farm have to first apply through the Esma. All documents and requirements pertaining to that matter are available on our website http://www.esma.gov.ae/en-us,” he explained.

“Once the online application has been completed, technical experts contact the potential farm owner to schedule a visit to the farm to ensure that the authority’s international standards are being adhered to,” he added.

During these inspections, experts conduct stringent evaluations of the farm’s location, the organic inputs being used, such as the soil, seeds, and pesticides, how they are being stored, how the farm is being maintained and by what means.

Once all the requirements are met, Esma accredits them with the ‘Certificate of Conformity’, Al Maeeni explained.

Owners [of organic farms] are later required to visit the Esma premises to sign on the licence of use of the ‘UAE Organic Mark’, following which the registering their farms comes into effect through the Ministry of Environment and Water.

What is the UAE Organic Mark?

“It is the one aspect the public should watch out for [because] people will never be able to know if the local product they are buying is organic or not as it is not possible to tell the difference,” said Al Maeeni. “The UAE Organic Mark is certified by the Esma and is always placed on individual organic food items produced in the UAE, which essentially is the only indicator of its authenticity.

“The UAE’s local food control authorities regularly inspect food shops to ensure that this mark is being placed on all local organic products being sold,” he added.

So far, the authority has not received any complaints from consumers and no violations have been reported. “Organic farm owners comply with our standards,” Al Maeeni said.

Maisoon Mubarak is a trainee at Gulf News