Why We’re Not Certified Organic, And Why That’s Okay

Farming in Meghalaya: Naturally Sustainable

For generations, farmers in Meghalaya, India, have practiced traditional agriculture. Unlike industrial farming methods, their approach relies very little on synthetic fertilizers or pesticides. In fact, Meghalaya has one of the lowest chemical input rates in all of India.

That’s why we chose to source our turmeric and other products from this unique region. The land itself, the climate, and the farmer traditions make the harvests inherently close to what we’d call organic.

So, Why No Organic Certification?

You may be wondering—if the practices are already organic in nature, why don’t we simply obtain certification? The answer is multi-layered:

1. Certification Is Expensive and Complicated

Organic certification requires inspections, strict record-keeping, and ongoing compliance with certification body requirements. For small farmers in rural areas, this is often a heavy financial and administrative burden.

Instead of investing in paperwork and certifications, our farmers prefer to focus their time, money, and energy on cultivating the best crops possible.

2. Government Focus on Sustainability

In Meghalaya, the government is actively encouraging a shift toward sustainable agriculture. They’ve even reduced support for chemical-based farming to push adoption of natural methods.

This means farmers are already aligned with eco-friendly practices, even if they don’t carry an official certificate. In many cases, the emphasis is on widespread adoption of organic principles rather than individual certifications.

3. Certification Doesn’t Always Equal Purity

Having a label doesn’t guarantee higher quality. What truly matters is transparency and testing—and that’s where we place our trust.

Testing for Quality: Our Commitment to Safety

While we deeply trust our farmers, we also know that you—our customers and partner deserve peace of mind. That’s why we conduct independent lab testing on our products.

We obtain Certificates of Analysis (COAs) to verify that our turmeric and other goods are free from heavy metals like lead, arsenic, and other contaminants.

Currently, we’re expanding our testing panel to include additional measures based on customer feedback, ensuring even greater accountability.

So while we may not carry the official “organic” stamp, you can be confident that every product we share is safe, pure, and responsibly sourced.

Why This Matters to You

• When you choose our products, you’re not just buying turmeric—you’re supporting:
• Traditional farmers who continue to cultivate crops the way their ancestors did.
• Sustainable agriculture in one of India’s most eco-conscious regions.
• Rigorous quality testing that proves purity without relying solely on labels.

In short, while we don’t carry an organic certification, we carry something even more important: trust, integrity, and proof of purity.

FAQs: Why We’re Not Organic Certified

Q1: Are your products grown with pesticides?
No. Farmers in Meghalaya use minimal to no chemical inputs, making their crops naturally close to organic.

Q2: Why not just pay for the certification?
Certification is expensive, complex, and burdensome for small farmers. We’d rather keep costs fair for them and for our customers.

Q3: Is certification the only guarantee of purity?
Not at all. Independent lab testing (COAs) provides a more direct assurance of product safety and quality.

Q4: Do you test your turmeric for heavy metals?
Yes. We test for lead, arsenic, cadmium, and other potential contaminants. All results confirm that our products are safe.

Q5: Does this mean your products are less valuable than certified organic brands?
Absolutely not. In many cases, our turmeric is purer and more sustainably produced than certified products grown in high-input regions.

Q6: Will you ever pursue certification in the future?
We remain open to it if it makes sense for our farmers and customers, but for now, our focus is on quality, sustainability, and transparency.

Conclusion: Beyond Labels, Toward Trust

At Humble Origins Superfoods, we believe that purity goes beyond certifications. Our farmers in Meghalaya work with nature, not against it. Combined with rigorous independent testing, we deliver turmeric and other products you can trust—without the extra costs of certification.

Choosing us means choosing integrity, sustainability, and a deeper connection to the people and land that make these crops possible.