The EU Organic Leaf and Control Body Codes: A Complete Guide

You've picked up an organic snack, flipped it over, and found a green leaf made of stars — the EU organic leaf — with a small code next to it and the words "EU/NON EU Agriculture" below. It all looks official, but what does it actually tell you about the product in your hand?

The EU Organic logo.

The EU organic leaf never appears alone. It's always accompanied by two mandatory pieces of information: a control body code (such as SE-EKO-04 on Swedish products) and an origin designation for the raw ingredients. Together, they tell you who verified the product is organic and where the agricultural ingredients came from.

This guide explains all of it — what the control body code means, how to read it, what EU/NON EU Agriculture tells you about ingredient origins, and why it matters. You'll also see how Moonvalley's organic energy bars, protein bars and protein powder fit into the system.

What is the EU organic leaf?

The EU organic leaf — officially the EU organic production logo — is the green leaf formed by the EU's stars that appears on organic food across Europe. It isn't a voluntary quality mark; it's a mandatory legal requirement for all EU-certified organic food produced within the Union.

The logo is governed by EU Organic Regulation 2018/848 and guarantees:

• At least 95% organic ingredients of agricultural origin. The remaining 5% must consist only of approved additives or processing aids listed in the regulation's annexes.
• No synthetic pesticides or artificial fertilisers in farming.
• No GMOs (genetically modified organisms) at any stage of production.
• Regular independent audits by an approved control body.
• Full traceability from farm to shelf.

Every product carrying the EU organic leaf must display three elements in the same visual field on the packaging: the logo itself, a control body code, and an origin designation.

What is a control body code — and what is SE-EKO-04?

A control body code is a mandatory identifier that tells you which approved organisation has inspected and certified the product. The code always follows the same logic:

[country code] – [organic designation] – [sequential number]

The word for "organic" varies by country and language — for example EKO in Swedish, ÖKO in German and BIO in French. Here are some examples from different EU countries:

On Moonvalley's products, you'll find SE-EKO-04, which belongs to HS Certifiering AB — one of Sweden's five approved control bodies for organic production. HS Certifiering is accredited by SWEDAC (Sweden's national accreditation body) to the international standard ISO 17065.

In plain terms: HS Certifiering has inspected and confirmed that Moonvalley's products and their production meet EU requirements for organic certification.

Quick fact: Sweden has five approved control bodies for organic food certification (SE-EKO-01 through SE-EKO-05). Each has a unique number, making it possible to trace exactly who certified the specific product you're holding.

What does EU/NON EU Agriculture mean?

Directly below the EU organic leaf and control body code, you'll find an indication of where the raw agricultural ingredients were grown. There are three possible designations:

This is not a quality rating. It simply tells you about the geographical origin of the ingredients. An ingredient grown outside the EU can be just as rigorously certified as one grown in Sweden, provided the farming meets EU organic standards — or equivalent rules applied in the exporting country.

Why include it at all? EU food law is built on transparency. The origin designation lets you trace where your food comes from and make an informed choice.

Practical example: An energy bar containing Swedish oats (EU) and dates from North Africa (Non-EU) — both organically certified — would be labelled EU/Non-EU Agriculture.

Why does this certification matter to you as a consumer?

Choosing organic is about more than personal health. Organic farming limits the use of chemical inputs, supports biodiversity, and reduces contamination risks in soil and water. EU certification is an independent verification — not a self-declared claim by the manufacturer.

When you see the EU organic leaf with a control body code, you know:

1. The product has been audited and approved by an independent, accredited organisation.
2. At least 95% of agricultural ingredients are organically grown.
3. No GMO ingredients are present.
4. The manufacturer undergoes regular inspections.

It's a system built on traceability and third-party oversight — not a label manufacturers can apply at will. A product that calls itself "natural" but lacks the EU organic leaf and a control body code is not certified organic, regardless of what the packaging claims.

How to read an organic label – step by step

Next time you pick up a food product, do this:

1. Look for the EU organic leaf — the green leaf made of EU stars. It's mandatory on all EU-certified organic food.
2. Find the control body code (e.g. SE-EKO-04 on Swedish products). It tells you which organisation certified the product.
3. Read the origin designation (EU Agriculture / Non-EU Agriculture / EU/Non-EU Agriculture). It tells you where the raw ingredients were grown.
4. Check the ingredient list — organic ingredients must be clearly identified.

If a product claims to be organic but lacks a control body code, treat that as a warning sign. Without a code, there's no way to verify who — if anyone — has certified it.

Moonvalley and the EU organic leaf – certified by design

Moonvalley was founded by three ultrarunners — Ida, Mimmi and Emelie — who couldn't find sports nutrition they actually wanted to eat. The result is a product range built around one principle: clean ingredients, honest labels, and organic certification you can verify.

On every Moonvalley product you'll find the EU organic leaf with control body code SE-EKO-04 — meaning HS Certifiering AB has confirmed it meets EU organic standards: at least 95% organic ingredients, no GMOs, regular audits. That's not a marketing claim; it's a matter of public record in the certification register.

But the certification is just the baseline. Moonvalley's products go further:

• 100% vegan — no animal ingredients of any kind
• Gluten-free — certified free from gluten
• Nut-free — safe for those with nut allergies
• No sweeteners — sweetness comes from dates, not added sugar or sweetening agents
• No additives — the shortest possible ingredient list

This is organic certification where the commitment actually shows up in the recipe.

Moonvalley products carrying the EU organic leaf and SE-EKO-04

• Organic Energy Bars – Oats & Dates: Natural energy from oats and dates. Made for daily life and training alike.
• Organic Protein Bars – Chocolate Dipped: Plant-based protein, no artificial aftertaste, ready to eat straight from the pack.
• Organic Protein Powder: Just four ingredients. No flavouring, no additives — pure and simple.
• Organic Sports Drink: Hydration during training without unnecessary sugar.

Frequently asked questions

Is SE-EKO-04 the same as KRAV?

No. KRAV is a separate Swedish certification standard with additional requirements beyond the EU organic regulation — covering areas like animal welfare, climate impact and social responsibility. SE-EKO-04 refers only to EU certification. Many products carry only EU certification; some carry both.

Can I trust an organic product if the ingredients come from outside the EU?

Yes. "Non-EU Agriculture" does not mean lower standards — it means the ingredients were grown outside the EU but were still certified to EU organic standards, or equivalent rules applied in the country of origin. Approved control bodies in third countries carry out the verification.

What happens if a producer cheats?

Control bodies carry out both announced and unannounced inspections. Violations can result in certification being revoked, and the product can no longer be labelled organic. The system is designed to make fraud difficult to sustain.

Why does a product say "natural" but not show a control body code?

"Natural" is not a legally protected term — any manufacturer can use it freely. EU organic certification, by contrast, is strictly regulated. They are entirely different categories. Only products with the EU organic leaf and a control body code are independently verified as organic.

Summary

The EU organic leaf, the control body code and the origin designation — three elements that together tell you everything you need to know about a certified organic product. SE-EKO-04 is the Swedish example of a control body code: it tells you that HS Certifiering AB has audited the product and confirmed it meets EU requirements.

For Moonvalley, the certification is an expression of something we've always stood for: no hidden ingredients, no shortcuts. Just food we want to eat ourselves — and that you can trust.

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