Organic Bone Broth – Why Certification Matters

When people buy organic bone broth, they assume the word “organic” guarantees strict standards.

But the reality is a little more complicated.

Every year our business goes through a full organic certification audit. And when I say audit, I don’t mean a quick look around the kitchen and a handshake. I mean full traceability, documentation, supplier verification, ingredient checks, manufacturing processes, packaging reviews, and product labelling scrutiny.

It’s detailed, it’s rigorous and we dread it like a university exam... but frankly it should be that hard.

The word organic is one of the most misused words in the food industry. Yet when you’re buying organic bone broth, that word should actually mean something.

What Certified Organic Bone Broth Actually Means

When a product is certified organic bone broth, it must comply with strict national organic standards.

Certification means the entire supply chain is independently verified. This includes checking where ingredients come from, how animals are raised, soil quality and how the product is processed, and how it is labelled.

Every ingredient must have its own organic certification trail.

For example, when we produce certified organic bone broth, we must prove the organic status of the bones, vegetables, herbs, spices and any additional ingredients used in the product.

Even processing aids and cleaning procedures used during production must comply with organic standards. Did you ever question what chemicals are being used to clean cooking utensils in the kitchen, or wipe down bench surfaces? What about contamination during transport? Or even just cross contamination with non organic ingredients? Yes, it is that detailed!

If even one ingredient is not certified organic, the product cannot legally be sold as certified organic bone broth. This level of traceability ensures the word organic actually reflects how the product was produced.

The Annual Organic Audit

Each year an independent organic certification body audits our business.

The process is extensive and involves reviewing supplier organic certificates, verifying ingredient purchase records, checking batch traceability, reviewing production runs, tracing the weight of ingredients in vs the weight of ingredients used to make sure no "cheating" was done, and inspecting labelling and packaging.

Auditors follow the entire chain from supplier through to finished product.

That means confirming that every batch of certified organic bone broth can be traced back to certified organic ingredients.

If something doesn’t match the documentation, it gets flagged immediately.

This level of scrutiny is what gives certified organic bone broth real meaning.

Why Organic Matters for Bone Broth

Bone broth is only as good as the bones that go into it.

If animals are raised using antibiotics, synthetic pesticides in feed production, or intensive farming systems, those inputs can become part of the final product.

Bone broth is typically simmered for long periods of time to extract nutrients from bones and connective tissue. That process also means the quality of the source ingredients matters. Along with all the good nutrients, any toxins the animal has been exposed to are also extracted.

Certified organic bone broth helps address this by ensuring livestock are raised according to organic farming standards. These standards include organic feed, restrictions on synthetic pesticides in pasture systems, and strict rules around the use of antibiotics.

Choosing organic bone broth helps ensure the ingredients used meet higher production standards from the start. It also encourages regenerative farming and environmental practices.

Organic Bone Broth vs Conventional Bone Broth

Not all bone broth is produced the same way.

Conventional bone broth may be made from animals raised in conventional farming systems, where feed, farming inputs and animal treatments can differ significantly from organic standards.

Certified organic bone broth must come from animals raised under certified organic farming systems and must use certified organic ingredients throughout the production process.

The difference is not just about marketing language. It is about independent verification and traceability.

Without certification, the word organic is simply a claim rather than a verified production standard.

The Problem With “Organic” Claims

This is where things become confusing for consumers.

In some cases brands use the word organic in product names, brand names or marketing language even when the product itself is not fully certified organic.

To the average shopper, the assumption is simple: if the label says organic, it must meet organic standards.

But unless a product is certified organic through a recognised certification body, there may be no independent verification behind that claim. No audit and no traceability. Just a word on a label. Anyone can slap the word organic on packaging in Australia as it is unregulated. In other countries, it is highly regulated which is why you may see some brands change their name to allow products into an export market.

Certification ensures that when a product is described as certified organic bone broth, it has actually been verified to meet organic production standards.

Why We Chose Certified Organic

Organic certification requires significant documentation, supplier verification and ongoing compliance.

It adds administrative work, audit requirements and strict production controls.

But we believe if a product is described as organic bone broth, it should genuinely meet certified organic standards.

That means ingredients that are certified organic, production processes that comply with organic rules, and full traceability from supplier to finished product.

Certified organic bone broth is about transparency and accountability.

If we are going to use the word organic, it should be able to stand up to scrutiny.

Choosing the Best Organic Bone Broth

If you are looking for organic bone broth, there are a few simple things worth checking.

Look for a recognised organic certification logo on the label. Certification bodies verify that products comply with organic standards and perform regular audits.

Check whether the product clearly states that it is certified organic bone broth rather than simply using the word organic in marketing language.

Look at the ingredient list. Certified organic products should list organic ingredients clearly. And if the information is not clear, ask the question. Brands producing certified organic bone broth should be able to explain their certification and ingredient sourcing.

Organic Bone Broth in Australia

If you’re looking for organic bone broth in Australia, it’s important to understand that not all products labelled “organic” are actually certified.

At Broth of Life, our bone broth powders are produced using certified organic ingredients and audited annually to maintain our certification.

Choosing certified organic bone broth helps ensure transparency, traceability and confidence in the ingredients you are consuming.

You can view our full organic certificate here.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is organic bone broth better?

Organic bone broth is produced using ingredients that meet certified organic farming and processing standards. These standards include organic feed for livestock, restrictions on synthetic pesticides and independent certification audits. If non organic ingredients are used, the end product is not guaranteed to be free from toxins, chemicals, and the unknown.

What does certified organic bone broth mean?

Certified organic bone broth means the product has been independently verified by an organic certification body and must meet strict standards for ingredients, traceability and production processes.

Is all bone broth organic?

No. Many bone broth products are made using conventional ingredients. Certified organic bone broth must contain certified organic ingredients and comply with organic certification standards.