Organic Maple Syrup and Organic Certification

Organic maple syrup production takes place through methods of processing which are respectful of human life, animal life, and the environment (minimal contamination of land and water systems, sustainable practices, and a focus on maintaining biodiversity) which prohibits the use of chemical substances like certain fertilisers, herbicides, fungicides, insecticides, and pesticides. Equally prohibited is the use of genetically modified organisms (GMO).

Certification agencies, authorized by the Italian Ministero delle Politiche Agricole (Ministry of Agriculture), verify and guarantee the implementation of this product specification  according to European regulations 834/07 and 889/08

It should come as no surprise that the logo on our label was granted to MapleFarm only after rigorous checks along our entire production line.
What does organic certification mean? How is it obtained?

Protected, unspoilt forests

Our organic maple syrup comes exclusively from the purest, most pristine Canadian forests of Québec, where only the most routine maintenance of the undergrowth is permitted. 

We personally select the landscapes with the highest concentration of trees, guaranteeing the presence of at least 15% of the various maple species to protect and conserve the original ecosystem.

Additionally, in full compliance with Organic Certification requirements, each location is carefully and accurately plotted and recorded in the appropriate registries, and the surrounding areas are never used for the cultivation of crops with pesticides or other chemical substances.

Natural Harvest

Shortly before the beginning of harvest season, skilled workers install special pipes in every maple tree, taking care to verify that the diameter of the tree is not larger than 20cm, measured at a height of 1.5 metres from the ground.

The sap extracted from these trees flows into a collection tub. Since this network of long tubes could present a danger for the local fauna, MapleFarm uses only blue pipes, as the colour is especially visible to animals. 

Once the sap has been taken from the collection tank, it’s processed via a natural reverse osmosis method which concentrates the crystaline liquid before boiling. This process preserves the sap’s beneficial mineral content and produces a more condensed liquid that requires significantly less energy and heat in the next evaporation phase. 

The cleaning and sanitisation of tools and instruments is achieved exclusively via the use of food-grade ethyl alcohol or spirit vinegar. 

Certified and monitored production line

In order to be considered organic, maple syrup must undergo rigorous inspections involving all aspects of production.

Among the areas checked are:

• Production Records
• Cleaning and sanitisation procedures
• Product traceability
• Harvesting sites

In addition, inspectors must ensure that the number of bottles produced and the number actually sold are always in agreement.

Physicochemical and bacteriological testing ensures that our product is 100% pure and safe.

Although in most cases a single certification is sufficient, we at MapleFarm have gone the extra mile to further guarantee our product by submitting to inspections from two separate independent agencies: BioAgricert in Italy and Ecocert Canada.  

In addition, MapleFarm is also accredited as an importer of organic products from non-EU countries by the Italian Ministry of Agricultural Policies.

European Organic Certification

Certification n.CA-ORG-006 Controlled operator n.J17Y.

Canadian Certification Body

Monitoring organisation authorised by the Canadian Ministry of Agriculture and Agri-food, and accredited by the Comité d’Accréditation en Valuation de la Qualité (CAEQ) and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA).

Our commitment

The green logo which hallmarks the production of our organic maple syrup is the result of the hard work of scores of professionals ensuring full compliance with  regulations.

MapleFarm guarantees that each bottle of organic maple syrup is produced in full compliance with the following regulations:

• Absence of any chemical fertilisers or pesticides.
• Carefully controlled and traced production lines
• Records of each tree in the relevant registers
• Maintenance of all our trees using only natural, minimally invasive methods and tools, with a view to protecting and conserving all local flora and fauna.
• Keeping all equipment and production areas clean using only natural products.