What you may print on an organic label, word by word
At 95% organic or above you may use "Organic" or "Certified Organic" in the product name and show your certifier logo. Between 70% and 94% you may only say "made with organic [named ingredients]", in type no larger than the product name, with no logo on the front. Below 70% the only permitted organic wording is in the ingredient list.
Last updated: 28 September 2026 · Written by Fliss Roberts, ANZOC
Permitted wording by tier
| Pack element | 95%+ | 70–94% | Below 70% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Product name | "Organic [product]" or "Certified Organic [product]" | Product name only — no organic wording | Product name only |
| Front-of-pack claim | Organic claim permitted | "Made with organic [named ingredients]", no larger than the product name | None |
| Certifier logo | Permitted | Not permitted front of pack | Not permitted |
| Ingredient list | Organic ingredients marked, e.g. "organic oats" | Organic ingredients marked | Organic ingredients marked |
| Certifier statement | Certifier name and licence number required | Certifier name as required by your certifier | None |
| Organic percentage statement | Optional in most markets | Required by some standards when a "made with" claim is used | Not applicable |
The product name does most of the damage
Nearly every wording rejection comes back to the product name, because the name is read as a claim about the whole product. A qualifier printed underneath does not rescue a name that overclaims.
- "Organic Berry Muesli" at 86% organic — fails. The name claims the product is organic.
- "Berry Muesli — made with organic oats and berries" at 86% — passes, provided the qualifier is no larger than the name and both named ingredients really are certified.
- "Organic Berry Muesli" at 96% — passes, with the certifier logo and licence number.
- "Nature's Organics Berry Muesli" as a brand name at 40% organic — a brand name containing "organic" is still a representation. This one needs legal advice before it goes near a printer.
The ingredient declaration
- Mark organic ingredients individually — "organic rolled oats", not a footnote that says "ingredients marked * are organic" unless your certifier accepts that convention.
- The declaration follows the Food Standards Code for order, allergens, and compound ingredient breakdown. Organic rules sit on top of that; they never replace it.
- An organic marker in the ingredient list must be accurate at the ingredient level even when the product as a whole carries no organic claim.
- If you use a marker-and-key convention, the key must be legible and adjacent to the list.
Claims that travel alongside organic
Organic is not the only regulated word on the pack, and the others are governed by different rules with different evidence requirements.
| Claim | Who regulates it | What you need |
|---|---|---|
| Organic / certified organic | OPPA 2023, NOS, your certifier | Certification and a compliant percentage |
| Non-GMO | Fair Trading Act; Food Standards Code for GM labelling | Substantiation; organic certification is not automatically sufficient evidence |
| Spray-free, chemical-free | Fair Trading Act | Substantiation. "Chemical-free" is effectively unsubstantiable for food |
| Country of origin | Consumer Information Standards | Origin records for the relevant components |
| Nutrition and health claims | Food Standards Code Standard 1.2.7 | A permitted claim and the conditions attached to it |
Get artwork approved before you print
Your certifier reviews and approves label artwork before use. Send them the full artwork, not just the claim text: logo placement, size, clear space and adjacency to other marks are all part of the approval, and all of them can fail independently of the wording.
Allow time for a second round. The most common cause of a reprint is a logo placed correctly in the file and then scaled with the rest of the artwork below the minimum size at final trim.
Questions people ask
- Can I put "organic" in my product name if the product is 90% organic?
- No. At 90% the product falls in the "made with organic" tier, and the product name may not describe the product as organic. You may say "made with organic [named ingredients]" in type no larger than the product name.
- Does my certifier need to approve the label before I print it?
- Yes. Certifiers approve artwork as part of certification, and approval covers logo size and placement as well as claim wording. Printing first is the most common expensive mistake in a product launch.
- Can I state the organic percentage on the pack?
- In most markets yes, and under some standards it is required when a "made with organic" claim is used. The figure has to match your actual calculation for the batch, not an aspiration.
- Can my brand name contain the word "organic"?
- Only with care. A brand name is a representation under the Fair Trading Act, so a brand containing "organic" applied to non-organic products is capable of misleading. Take legal advice before committing to it.
- Do organic rules replace the Food Standards Code?
- No. Allergen declarations, date marking, nutrition information, ingredient lists and supplier details all still apply exactly as they do to any other food. Organic requirements are additional.
Sources
- Organic Standards Regulations 2025 — New Zealand Legislation
- Fair Trading Act 1986 — New Zealand Legislation
- Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code
- USDA NOP 5032 — "Made with organic ***" labeling category
This page is general guidance, not certification advice. Your certifier's decision is the one that counts — check anything that changes what goes on a label with them before you print.