Orientation aid in the seal of approval jungle
Hardly any product can do without: Labels serve consumers as a quick guide through the variety of goods on offer. They are intended to provide information about the quality of a product and as a supplier trustworthy identify. Orientate yourself when shopping for groceries 47 percent of seals of approval. This was the result of a survey by Greenpeace in January 2018 among over 1000 people between the ages of 14 and 75. But not every label is self-explanatory. That's why we want to briefly explain some of the labels and seals of approval today.
Hay milk is a "guaranteed traditional speciality"
Since 2016, the EU seal of approval gtS - guaranteed traditional specialty - has distinguished the special way of hay farming. Heumilch GTS stands for special protection for even more quality and authenticity.
The AMA organic seal of approval
With the red and white AMA organic seal with the indication of origin "Austria", all value-determining agricultural organic raw materials come exclusively from Austria. This also applies to processed foods that consist of more than one ingredient. Organic ingredients in such organic foods may only come from another country in exceptional cases - for example, if an organic ingredient is not produced in Austria or not in market-relevant quantities. And even then, these organic ingredients may make up a maximum of one third of the product. In general, the AMA organic seal is based on 7 pillars: 1. Agricultural ingredients 100 percent organic; 2. High organic quality; 3. Good manufacturing practice; 4. naturalness; 5. Traceable origin; 6. No chlorine packaging; 7. Independent Control.
By the way: Greenpeace has a lot of praise for Austrian organic seals. The standards here are usually far higher than the guidelines specified by the EU.
Lactose free seal
In Austria, cheese may be called "lactose-free" if it contains less than 0,1% lactose. Basically, the longer a cheese has matured, the less lactose it contains. Because during the ripening process, the lactose is split into its components glucose and galactose and then converted into lactic acid. Emmental and mountain cheese, as well as Mondseer and Gouda, are naturally lactose-free.
Tested hay milk quality
All hay milk farmers and processors are subject to the hay milk regulation. Only they can label their products with the Heumilch logo, which is part of the AMA seal of approval. The most important criteria of the Austrian hay milk regulations are:
- Natural feeding over the course of the year: hay milk cows only get fresh grass and herbs, hay and, as a supplement, grain meal rich in minerals.
- Fermented feed is strictly forbidden.
- The traditional farming methods of the hay milk farmers make a decisive contribution to protecting the environment and increasing biodiversity.
- More taste: The diverse feed increases the quality and aroma of the hay milk.
- Valuable raw material: Due to its high quality, hay milk is ideal for the production of cheese specialties.
- All hay milk products are GMO-free.
- Heumilch is certified by independent control bodies.
Produced without genetic engineering
Foodstuffs that bear this symbol are definitely produced without genetic engineering. The production criteria that apply to this are regularly checked by an independent control body, and the name and control number of the checking control body are listed on the product.
