What is the difference between Traditional Oats and Certified Organic Oats?

Traditional Oats and Certified Organic Oats

We are often asked what the difference is between traditional oats and certified organic oats? While there is no difference in the nutritional panel of the oats, there are differences in how the oat crops are grown, and we want to touch on these differences here. 

Steamed rolled oats are frequently called old fashioned oats‚ or steamed rolled oats. The oats are baked, steamed, rolled, and cut into flakes. When comparing traditional steamed rolled oats with organic steamed rolled oats, it is important to note that the certified organic are the only ones that are assured to be free from chemical exposure in the growing stage. Our growers are certified through Southern Cross Organics and then we are certified through ACO. 

It is important to note that both crops are free from Glyphosate traces and we do NOT do any crop topping, our seed is also not GMO.

Crop treatment

At GF Oats, we source both the Traditional GF Oats and the Certified Organic GF Oats from the beautiful Wandering region of Western Australia.  While pesticides or herbicides may be used during conventional farming of Traditional Oats in the field preparation only, there are no pesticides or herbicides used on the certified organic uncontaminated rolled oat fields. Instead, the crops are fertilized using 100% organic matter. Animal-based fertilizer is used on fields during crop rotation from year to year, a clover is used to provide nitrogen to the soil, and the sheep are transitioned to various paddocks once the crop has been harvested. 

In comparison, the Traditional Aussie rolled oats  are grown using conventional farming methods which means that the oat fields are occasionally treated with a weed spray. When the weed spray is used, it is done before the heads on the oat plants form. Then, when the traditional field is harvested, we test the oats to ensure they are free from herbicide residue.

Rob and Ann (pictured above) are the faces behind the stunning Certified Organic Oats that we have for you to enjoy. Their fields are unique in that they have a National Park bordering 3 sides of their property, so they only had to grow trees on one border to ensure that their property remains protected from farm practices on the neighbouring property.  They are passionate about organic food and are excited to be the first in Australia to provide customers with organic uncontaminated oats. 

Organic always means:

• No synthetic chemicals, pesticides, or herbicides
• Made without artificial colours or preservatives
• Livestock are free to roam
• No routine use of antibiotics
• No genetically modified ingredients (GMOs)

If you would like to find out more about the growing processes used by Rob and Ann or you would like to find out about the benefits of eating organic food, we have written about this in detail here. 

The Research

While organic and regular oats have the same nutritional information and benefits, according to a research review published in 2014 in the “British Journal of Nutrition,” organic crops may contain higher antioxidant concentrations. Organic oats could also be safer to consume because they are not produced with chemical pesticides or fertilizers. 

It is also important to note that each of the crop varieties follows strict exclusion zones. This means that organic crops are grown and processed in such a way that they will not be threatened by contamination with other crops that are not organic. 

Both the traditional oats and the certified organic oats are uncontaminated from the gluten found in wheat, rye and barley. In the US, UK, Canada and parts of Europe, this same variety is labelled as gluten-free oats. However, here in Australia, we are unable to label them gluten-free oats due to labelling restrictions.