ORGANIC IN RUHR

Healthy organic food has a long standing tradition in Germany. The term Bio is an abbreviation of ecological, Biologisch, and refers to all health products in general. To enable consumers to identify and trust ecological products, an official seal of approval was developed in 2001. Strict regulations, rigorous controls and high penalties serve to prevent offence and abuse. Producers, processors, traders, importers and consumers can easily gain trust concerning the use of the seal.

Many small organic or whole food shops are to be found across the Ruhr Metropolis as are a few organic supermarket chains. Most mainstream supermarkets and discounters also have long presented their own organic product lines. This section of the market stands for the development of a broader group of buyers as well as a more aggressive price policy. That also means that smaller whole food stores have to bear the brunt, in spite of their good quality.

A few elusive organic names can be seen on some products. Those wishing to ensure an authentic product is bought, should only purchase goods with the official German symbol or the overarching EU one. This one developed, interestingly, by a graphic designer from nearby Düsseldorf. 

By Vincent Green, Jul 1 2021