Buying organic syrup — what to look for?

What does "organic" mean on a syrup label?

In the European Union, the use of the word "organic" on a food label is strictly regulated. A product may only be called "organic" if it is certified by an accredited inspection body and complies with EU Regulation 2018/848. The label must carry the EU organic logo and the certification number of the inspection body.

Origin of the plant: why it matters

For syrups, the origin of the raw material is crucial. There are three categories:

• Cultivated plants: Grown on organic farms. Certified, but uniform in flavour.
• Wild plants with certification: Picked in nature, certified by an inspection body confirming the area is free from pesticides. This is the highest standard.
• Flavour extracts: Some "organic" syrups contain no real flowers or fruit, but certified flavour extracts. Technically organic, but not artisanal.

How to recognise a genuine artisanal syrup

Look on the label for: ingredients list (water, sugar, flowers/fruit, citric acid — nothing else), certification number (e.g. HR-EKO-09), and origin ("wild plants" or "hand-picked").

All Agropošta syrups are certified organic (HR-EKO-09) and made from wild plants hand-picked in the forests of Croatian Zagorje and Gorski Kotar. No extracts, no flavourings. Browse our online shop.