Recently, in the Netherlands, Suzanne van der Pijll wrote an article. It was titled: 'Are organics going back to plastic?' The article was published in various Dutch trade media, like Biojournaal, Foodlog, and VMT. It provoked many reactions. "That was also the intention," she now writes. "Because with an article like this, I want to put this issue on the agenda. Preferably while there's still time to do something about it."
"That's why I'm pleased that Skal and Bionext reacted. They pointed out some nuances in the interpretation of my text. It seems that organics can be sold, without plastic, in some circumstances. Both organizations also said selling unpackaged organic products is still allowed. That's true, of course. However, if a store also sells conventional fruit and vegetables unpackaged, the store must be certified to do so."
"And that's the crux of the matter," Suzanne writes. "This certification could mean it might be easier to package organic products in plastic. Rather than to meet the certification requirements and costs. That's precisely the issue I wanted to highlight. We'll see how things unfold in practice in the coming months. But let me be clear, I'm concerned."
"For the record, I'm enthusiastic about organic products. I enjoy buying organic fruit and vegetables from my regular supplier. And he delivers it without unnecessary plastic packaging. That's something more and more consumers are requesting," Suzanne concludes.
For more information: suzanne.van.der.pijll@schuttelaar.nl