German Court Blocks Herbaria's Organic Labels on Plant-Based Medicines

A long-running legal battle over organic labels on plant-based medicines has reached a conclusion. Germany's Federal Administrative Court (BVerwG) ruled against Herbaria Kräuterparadies, blocking the company from marketing its products as organic. The decision hinged on the inclusion of non-plant ingredients in their supplements.

The court found that Herbaria's products contained added vitamins and iron gluconate, which do not meet organic production rules. Under EU regulations, a product can only carry an organic label if all its ingredients comply with strict organic standards. The BVerwG stressed that partial compliance—such as listing individual organic components—is not enough to justify the claim.

Herbaria had argued that a similar product in the US could use the organic label, but the court dismissed this comparison. The ruling aligns with a broader stance from the European Court of Justice, which previously stated that organic certification cannot be used purely for advertising.

The dispute highlights ongoing challenges in labelling plant-based medicines. While the case does not directly affect non-EU markets, the EU has tightened enforcement in other areas. For example, the European Commission fined X €120 million in December 2024 under the Digital Services Act. It has also launched investigations into TikTok and Meta over addiction risks and youth protection since February 2024. Meanwhile, member states like Germany continue to enforce competition rules, such as the recent clash between Amazon and the German cartel office.

The ruling prevents Herbaria from using the organic label on its supplements. Companies must now ensure full compliance with organic standards before making such claims. The decision reinforces strict EU regulations on product labelling and advertising.