Checklist for caterers

Checklist for caterers

As a caterer you may use the Bio-Siegel to label products listed on menus, for instance, only if the following requirements are met:

1 Your establishment is certified by an approved control body

If, at a food counter, on a menu or on a sign board in a dining hall, a dish, a component thereof or an ingredient is labelled as organic (or biological, eco, ecological), participation in the control procedure pursuant to EU provisions on organic farming is mandatory.

An approved certification body shall regularly verify compliance with relevant regulations. For that purpose, an establishment shall sign a contract with a control body of its choice and shall notify its activity to the authority competent within the respective federal state. Following successful checks, the establishment shall obtain a certificate of limited validity.

Click here for the list of control bodies for organic products accredited in Germany.

2 The dish/component was produced and certified according to EU regulations on organic production

Organic ingredients that are purchased for a dish or the component of a menu shall be listed as organic or eco in the accounts. Controls shall verify the plausibility of volumes purchased and processed.

3 The Bio-Siegel used on menus, at food counters or on sign boards meets the graphical requirements of the German Eco Label Ordinance

When designing the menus, sign boards or similar, care must be taken to ensure that the Bio-Siegel is not used in a misleading manner. A clear reference must be made to the dishes, components and other gastronomic organic products designated as "organic". For this reason, the Bio-Siegel must always be indicated in close proximity to the dishes or components to which it refers. Furthermore, the code number (DE-ÖKO-XXX) of the control body must be specified or the current certificate must be visibly displayed for the guests in the establishment.

Click here for information on the graphical requirements as well as print templates.

The Bio-Siegel is registered as a protected trademark with the German Patent and Trademark Office. Any claims as to rights of prohibtion or damages which might result under private law shall be pursued by the Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture (BMEL) as the proprietor of the trademark.

4 You have notified the use of the Bio-Siegel for the promotion of organic dishes/ components to the Bio-Siegel Information Service

Before you use the Bio-Siegel for promotion you shall notify your intention to the Bio-Siegel Information Service and shall also provide samples of the menu, the display or other items to be labelled.

Click here for information on product notification.

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