Demeter vs Bioland Certification: What’s the Difference?

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Keith Lindner is a devoted dad, doting husband, tech nerd, a research expert and a certified Infant Feeding Technician. With 10+ years of consumer research and product management experience, he became passionate about finding and building products that improve his family's life and fit their lifestyle preferences. He loves sharing this info with other parents to help make life a bit easier during those first few years of life.

What Is Biodynamic Farming?

Simply put, biodynamic farming is a way of farming that encourages sustainability, working with nature and being mindful of the environment. Organizations that follow biodynamic farming methods try to constantly improve their practice, making environmentally friendly choices. They will usually grow food without the use of genetically modified seeds or using pesticides. They also strive to be as animal-friendly as possible, by giving them more space, for example.

Demeter was the first certification system for biodynamic farming to be established. It is a little more difficult to obtain than Bioland certification, which is slightly different, as you will see below.

What are the main differences between Demeter and Bioland certification?

Although both have very high standards, there are a couple of differences:

Demeter is a little stricter in terms of animal welfare, including the total ban on removing a cow’s horns. Some say this has an impact on the milk itself, including the taste
Only food produced themselves or by other Demeter certified farms may be used – this means animal feed, for example, will have no added chemicals or hormones
Demeter prohibits the use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides completely, whilst Bioland allow nitrogen fertilizers/copper pesticides in small amounts

What is Demeter?

Demeter Biodynamic Certification is used in over 50 countries. It is the largest certification organization for biodynamic farming. It began in 1928 in Germany and is named after the Greek goddess of fertility and grain. To be Demeter certified, a farm must follow strict rules, and they need to have their certification renewed annually. The entire farm has to be inspected every year.

So what standards does a farm have to meet to become Demeter certified? Their ethos is centered around the farm as a ‘holistic organism’ and that everything to do with the farm’s disease prevention and insect and weed control must come from the farm itself. In practical terms, this means:

Instead of using harmful methods, weed control focuses on prevention, such as crop rotation and timing of planting
Animal welfare is important – animals must have enough space, must be protected from heat and dust, and each animal must have sufficient food and a space to lie down and rest. Practices such as tail docking are not allowed
Removal of cow’s horns is also banned. This aids the cow’s digestion, and some say it even impacts the composition of the milk. Also, the cows are fed with herbs in the feed, and some say the milk tastes better as a result
No synthetic fertilizers are allowed whatsoever

What is Bioland?

Bioland was founded in 1971. It is the largest organic food association in Germany. Like Demeter, it’s difficult to obtain certification as the standards are so high. Some of the principles include:

Animal welfare – fewer animals so that they have more space
Nitrogen fertilizers are only allowed in small amounts
Copper pesticides can only be used for perennial vegetables and in small amounts
100% of the farm has to be based on organic food production
No genetically modified seeds are allowed
No blood, meat, bone, manure or guano fertilizers are allowed

FAQ About Bioland and Demeter Certifications

What is Demeter Milk?

Demeter International is an organization for Biodynamic farming that certifies organic products, including infant formula. It is one of just 3 international organic certification bodies. The name “Demeter” refers to the Greek Goddess of fertility and farming.

What is bioland certified?

Bioland generally exceeds organic standards and is the larges organic food organizational body currently in Germany, and by extension one of the largest in the European Union.

What is the difference between organic and biodynamic farming?

They are both very similar, but biodynamic is generally more stringent than organic certiications. Biodynamic farms use a variety of natural fertilization principles aimed at restoring soil quality versus traditional farming (even organic) which tends to deplete soil diversity and quality over time. Biondynamic farming treats the soil as part of a broader interconnected farming ecosystem.

What does all this mean for formula?

How does knowing this help you to decide which organic formula to use? It’s helpful to know what these certifications mean as it gives you more of an idea of the start-to-finish process behind your baby’s milk. If you are struggling to make a decision, knowing a little more about the production of the formula may be the information that helps you to choose.

Holle and Lebenswert are both great choices for parents who wish to feed their baby organic formula. For a more detailed comparison of the two, you can check our article here. Lebenswert is produced by farms with Bioland certification, while Holle is produced by farms with the Demeter label. For parents who wish to make sustainable choices, either would be a great option.

We hope that helps to inform you, so that the next time you are looking at the labels on organic formula, you can understand the process the product went through to go from farm to shelf. If you want to know more about organic milk, our guide might be able to help. Or, if you need help choosing bottles, we have a guide for that, too!