So as to maintain their integrity, products originating from organic cultivation shall continue to respect organic standards throughout the entire transit, from the point of harvest right up to their sale to consumers. For this reason certification bodies shall make sure that transport, storage and preservation operations meet the following requirements.
10.1 Bulk Organic Products
10.1.1 It shall be assured that bulk organic products are not commingled with non-organic products. For this reason they shall neither be transported nor stored together. If this cannot be done, an adequate physical separation of organic and non-organic harvests is required.
10.1.2 Facilities used to store bulk organic products shall be distinct from those used for non-organic products, be reserved for storing organic products only, and with clear indications to this effect. Premises and equipment (elevators, feeders, etc.) shall be clean and appropriate for storing foodstuffs, and free of residues from non-organic products. Before storing products in storage units, it should be ensured they are free from any traces left from pesticides used during previous processing.
10.1.3 Storage facilities should be free from pests (insects, rodents, moulds, etc.) and shall be fit for the food products being stored. They shall be carefully cleaned using methods appropriate to the stored food products and compliant with these standards. Pest control must be carried out in accordance with section 8.4 of these reference standards.
10.1.4 All bulk product transporters shall be approved by the certification body, based on transport methods and equipment used. Whenever a transporter does not already hold a valid approval certificate issued by an accredited certifier, it is the responsibility of the operator who dispatches the bulk organic products to declare to the certifier in a timely fashion, every transporter hired, and to make sure that this transporter respects the conditions mentioned in Section 10.1.5.
10.1.5 The transport vehicle shall be appropriate to the transported product. All equipment, vehicles, and containers shall be inspected before loading in order to make sure they are clean, that they have not undergone fumigation and are free of any non-organic residues or any other matter likely to contaminate the product. Surfaces of the storage containers coming into contact with foodstuffs or livestock feed should be covered only with approved food grade coatings or paints.
10.1.6 The enterprise taking delivery of the bulk food products shall obtain a bill of lading from the transporter who delivered them to the enterprise's facilities. This document shall be kept on file for the period specified for this purpose.
10.2 Organic Products Packaged on a Temporary Basis
10.2.1 The containers being used for storage and/or transportation of organic products not yet processed and not yet in their final packing shall list the following information:
- the name and address of those responsible for producing or preparing the product;
- the product name;
- the product lot number;
- a mention of the product's organic status;
- the name of the certification body for the product.
The documents accompanying them shall include this information along with a proof of certification issued by the certification body (certificate or transaction voucher).
10.2.2 Once organic products have been packed in sealed containers and clearly labelled, they can then be transported and stored with non-organic products.
10.2.3 Packaging used for transport shall be in compliance with reference standards for packaging, and clearly marked.
10.3 Livestock
10.3.1 Transport of livestock shall be carried out calmly and in a non-violent manner, so as to avoid any stress, injury and suffering.
10.3.2 The use of electric prods or tranquilizers is prohibited in the transport of livestock.
10.3.3 The certification body may determine specific conditions and maximum transport periods.
10.4 Preservation
10.4.1 In addition to conventional room-temperature storage, the following refrigeration methods are generally acceptable: refrigerated containers equipped with thermostats; ice made from potable water; controlled or modified atmospheres (CO2, O2 and N2)
10.4.2 Freezing is allowed as a food preservation method.
|
FAQ
Contact
Français
