Where can you purchase organic seeds?

How Do You Tell if Your Food Is Organic?

Although Singapore doesn’t have an official agency that certifies organic food, there are other ways you can tell if, say, your brown rice or quinoa is organic or not. These include:

• A certification from a recognised certifying body — typically overseas organisations
• Follows the WHO and UN’s Codex Guidelines and Singapore’s Standards for Organic Produce
• Detailed product information on the labels as per the SFA’s labelling requirements

Let’s review these pointers so you can make the right choice when shopping for organic food.

Look for Organic Certifications

This is the simplest way to see if the food is genuinely organic — by checking if the item has a mark signifying that it’s been certified by a recognised authority.

For instance, suppose your organic chia seeds were imported from Australia. You'll want to check if it contains a certification from the NASAA. This stands for National Association for Sustainable Agriculture Australia, the country’s globally recognised organic certifying body.

Check the Ingredients List

Besides checking for certification symbols, don’t forget to review the label for its ingredients too. They typically have a straightforward list that doesn’t contain any synthetic food additives, preservatives, and other chemicals.

After all, a pack of organic quinoa shouldn’t have a complicated catalogue with names of unfamiliar substances on it.

Does It Follow Singapore’s Labelling Standards?

The Singapore Food Agency has regulations regarding how food products should be labelled before they’re sold. This extends to organic produce that’s packed and sold in health shops.

As a general rule, food labels should have easily understandable information that’s enough for the average consumer to make an informed choice on whether to buy or not.

Buy From Shops You Can Trust

Regardless if you’re buying organic chia seeds, organic brown rice, or other produce, it’s better to practise caution when shopping. Why not eliminate the guesswork by buying from a known organic retailer? Many stores in Singapore like Nature’s Glory sell certified organic goods. They would make your search an easier and safer one, especially since many of them don’t mind answering questions about the brands they have and where their stocks come from.

Let’s explore our organic options with the right shops — they can help us take more steps towards a healthier lifestyle.