5 Certifications For the Guilt-Free Gourmet

With awareness of the environmental and social challenges the world faces, a growing number of people want to be sure of the provenance of goods, especially when serving up delicacies like yellow fin tuna. We don’t mind paying more for luxuries when certain questions have been answered. Were workers treated fairly? Was the environment respected? In short, can we be proud of the products we’ve chosen and serve them in the knowledge that they provided real benefits to others, or at least, no real harm. It’s the need for these assurances that has prompted many businesses to opt for the rather onerous certification processes that prove fairness and care for the environment in their origins. Here are some food certifications to support. 

1. Fair Trade

Fair trade certification is seriously hard to get. In order to get and use the Fair Trade certification, businesses have to jump through hoops to prove they meet the extremely rigorous environmental, economic, and social standards laid out by Fairtrade International. And it’s not just a matter of paying lip service. Third party auditors will verify all information before the coveted certification is approved – and they’ll be back to make sure that standards are upheld. Is it worth paying more for Fair Trade products? If you’re genuinely concerned about supporting businesses that implement best practice solutions, the answer is a definite “yes.” 

2. Ocean Wise

Who doesn’t love seafood? At the same time, we’re aware that overfishing, pollution, and climate change are all global issues that consumers should help to address. To get Ocean Wise certification, businesses harvesting resources from the ocean must prove that they’re taking environmental concerns seriously. It’s no easy matter, and even though Ocean Wise is a non-profit organization, getting the right to use its brand will involve financial costs as well as dedication to the environment. Tucking in to sea food? Do so in the knowledge that it’s sustainably sourced.  

3. Certified Sustainable Seafood (MSC)

MSC certification is indicated by a blue tick mark on the packaging. What does it mean? In essence, it’s proof that the seafood you’re buying has met the Marine Stewardship Council’s criteria for sustainable sourcing. The MSC’s goal is to ensure that future generations can enjoy “oceans full of life.” That’s a goal worth contributing to! 

4. Food Alliance Certification

Heading back from the oceans to solid ground, all food producers have a responsibility for the future sustainability of our food-producing systems. After all, we don’t want to feast on the fat of the land now only to risk the food security of our children’s children. Food Alliance Certification shows that social and environmental responsibility requirements have been met by a producer, and buying food with its distinctive green logo shows that we care about these issues too.  

5. Various Organic Certifications

Organic certifications generally only give reassurance that harmful chemicals weren’t used during production. They’re certainly a step in the right direction even though they don’t generally offer assurance about fair labor practices – an issue that really matters in agriculture. However, they do assure you that your food contains no chemical residues, and by implication, not using pesticides means a safer working environment for farm laborers.  

Support Certification 

As consumers, we do need to think about the welfare of future generations. Today’s feast could become tomorrow’s famine if we don’t. The certification process is costly for agriculture and fisheries businesses, so we should support their willingness to undergo scrutiny and incur costs for the sake of social and environmental health. Look out for the sustainable branding and enjoy a guilt-free gourmet lifestyle.