What It Really Takes to Be Certified Organic

Why “Organic” Without a Logo Is Just Lip Service

At Broth of Life, we wear our Certified Organic badge with pride. And let us tell you—earning it isn’t easy. That little certification logo you see on our packaging? It’s not a trendy sticker. It’s a guarantee backed by rigorous audits, mountains of paperwork, site inspections, and full traceability across our entire operation.

We’ve just wrapped up another comprehensive audit from our certifying body, SXC, and we thought it was the perfect time to share what actually goes into being a Certified Organic business.

Not Just a Buzzword—It’s a Standard

“Organic” is one of the most abused words in the food industry. It’s slapped onto product names, ingredient lists, brand names, websites, store names, and labels by brands who want the halo effect without doing the hard yards. The truth?
If there’s no certification logo, there’s no accountability.

That’s why our certification isn’t optional—it’s essential. It holds us to the highest standards and gives our customers complete confidence in the integrity of every product we sell.

Behind the Scenes of an Organic Audit

When the auditor arrives, they don’t just take our word for it. They dive deep. Here’s just a glimpse of what gets scrutinised during a typical audit:

🕵️♂️ Site Tour & Risk Assessment

They inspect our facilities from top to bottom—looking for potential contamination sources like pests, chemicals, water runoff, cleaning chemicals, process flow, delivery areas, preparation area, labelling equipment and process, packaging, storage, floors..... Every nook and cranny is on the radar.

🧾 Full Document Review

They comb through:

• Ingredient sourcing and supplier certificates
• Purchase orders and delivery dockets
• Production records, recipes, and batch logs
• Sales, dispatch, and inventory records
• Cleaning schedules, non chemical cleaning agents and sanitisation protocols

All this ensures that every step of our process is compliant and traceable—from the paddock to your pantry.

📦 Packaging & Labelling

The auditor checks our packaging for:

• Food-grade safety
• No misleading claims
• Minimal environmental impact (recycled and/or biodegradable materials)
• Proper display of our certification logo

Even our social media, website, and physical advertising materials get reviewed to make sure we’re not making any unverified claims.

🧼 Cleaning & Sanitation

Yes, even our cleaning products are put under the microscope. We have to prove they’re stored safely, used correctly, rinsed off thoroughly, and don’t leave residues that could compromise organic integrity. Dishwashing liquid, spray & wipes, floor cleaners, sanitisers.. all need to be certified organic chemical free cleaning products.

🔁 Traceability & Mass Balance

They randomly pick a product and ask us to trace it all the way back to the source—tracking inputs, outputs, and quantities. They cross-check everything to make sure what goes in matches what goes out, and that nothing dodgy snuck in the middle.

Why It Matters

Being Certified Organic is not about perfection—it’s about accountability. It’s about proving we’re walking the talk, not just talking the talk.

You rely on us for transparency, integrity, and genuinely clean nutrition. That’s why we go through this gruelling process every year. Because you deserve better than clever marketing and empty promises.

The Bottom Line

If a brand calls itself “organic” but doesn’t display a certification logo from a recognised authority—you have every right to question it. In this industry, trust is earned, not claimed.

At Broth of Life, we’re proud to say:
✅ Certified Organic
✅ Audited Annually
✅ Nothing to Hide

So next time you see that little organic logo, know that it stands for hours of inspection, piles of paperwork, and a whole lot of integrity.