How are the organic sea salt certifications defined?
Nature et Progrès Certification - France
France's certification is awarded to harvested and processed salt according to Organic methods and standards. Nature et Progrès is the highest and most stringent level of certification allowed. The quality chart guarantees full traceability, including the origin. The producer is identified and regularly controlled by the independent certifying body. The salt is unrefined and all-natural, and is harvested in a protected, non-polluted environment. The ponds are located a minimum of 500 meters away from main roads and are free from pesticides, chemical residue, industrial fumes or air pollution. Respect of product quality from harvest to final packaging is of utmost importance. The salt harvesters use only untreated wooden or polyethylene tools. It is mandatory that there is protection between the ground and the salt, and the salt must be harvested with non-polluting equipment.
Breton® Sel Gris, Fleur de Sel and French Grey Bath Salts are made exclusively with Nature et Progrès inspected and approved sea salts.
Nature et Progrès Specifications for unrefined sea salt:
A1 Geographic Origin and Environments
A1.1 Origin
Atlantic Ocean
A1.2 Environment
Salt ponds situated in nature reserve or nature park;
Without influence of big industrial plants (prevailing winds);
Minimal distance from main traffic lines: 500 meters;
Without risk of contamination through chemical fertilizers and pesticides;
A1.3 Water circulation
Exclusively Atlantic waters;
Circulation depending only on gravity;
Circuit independent of fishponds;
A1.4 Maintenance of the salt ponds
Manual, mechanical and thermal maintenance out of production
Manual, mechanical and thermal maintenance out of production
A2 Production Standards
A2.1 Working techniques
Traditional crafting & manual harvesting in salt ponds with clay floors;
Natural water circulation and evaporation through sun and wind;
Washing and artificial drying are not allowed.
A2.2 Tools and materials
Wooden tools without chemical treatment;
No asbestos cement is allowed.
Light tools in stainless steel;
Aluminum shovels may be used temporarily.
Poly-ethylene (PE) is allowed for utensils.
Maintenance products for wooden and metal tools have to match N&P organic environment standards.
A2.3 Transportation and stockholding
Open-air mounting within the working area;
Covering with PE or Ethyl-vinyl-acetate foil;
Separation between floor and salt;
Permanent cleansing of the stockholding premises, especially before and after handling;
Use of low-emission transport machinery (gas or electric motor).
A3 Processing and Packaging
A3.1 Coarse Salt
Washing is not allowed.
Any processing that alters the product is forbidden.
Drying only through sun and wind;
Packing in big-bags, of PE or poly-propylene (PP);
Additives like iodine, magnesium, fluoride are not allowed.
A3.2 Fine Salt
Same as 3.1, additionally:
Grinding method may not alter the product's quality.
A3.3 Aromatic Salt
Only allowed when certified organic herbs and vegetables are used.
A3.4 Other salt (e.g. for animals ...)
Admissible share of unsolvable substances: 10% max.
A3.5 Packaging material
Allowed are:
Glass containers;
Parafined cardboard (boxes);
PE-bags;
Containers made of high-pressure-PE and PP;
Packs containing aluminum:
This may not be in direct touch with the salt.
A3.6 Humidity absorbers
Allowed are capsuled mineral or natural organic substances.
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These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.