Trustmark Pillars & Criteria

The Grade A Cider Trustmark is built on three fundamental pillars:

Traceability, Authenticity, and Integrity.

Traceability – Capability to trace the apples back to an orchard region as well as full control over the operations – apple pressing, fermentation and packaging all done onsite.
Authenticity – Production of cider using 100% freshly pressed apple juice and a wine-like fermentation method with no sugar, water or concentrate added prior or during fermentation.
Integrity – Honest labeling that truly reflects the content of the packaging.

Grade A Cider Trustmark

The Key Criteria

To carry the Grade A Cider Trustmark logo, a cider must meet the following criteria:

Ownership

Independently owned and operated where the owner(s) take an active part in the operations of the business.

Onsite Operations

All key steps of cider making are done onsite including:

Pressing of the apples
Fermentation of the juice
Packaging of the cider

Guarantees full traceability and total control over the quality of the cider.

Terroir

Use apples that can be traced back to an apple region

Wine-like Fermentation
(Single Strength Cider)

Wine-like fermentation method with 100% freshly pressed juice.

No water, sugar/fructose or concentrate added at the fermentation stage.

Final Blend

Contains at least 80% fermented juice.

Back sweetening and adjuncts allowed prior to bottling as long as the integrity of the cider is maintained.

Allows for the making of different types of ciders without sacrificing the traceability, authenticity and integrity of the cider. For instance, blends with wines, fruit-flavoured ciders, hopped ciders, etc.

The above criteria have carefully been chosen to guarantee that the three fundamental pillars of the Trustmark are fully respected. By making sure that a cider meets those criteria, consumers are then guaranteed the cider they are enjoying is authentic and made from 100% freshly pressed apple juice from an identifiable apple region.

Cider Producers

Cider producers that fit the criteria above can apply to use the Trustmark.

The Grade A Trustmark can be used on packaging material (labels, cartons, trays, etc.), social media platforms, advertising material, and other marketing material in relation to the certified ciders.

How to apply:

To use the Trustmark logo, you must enter into a licensing agreement with the Grade A Cider certification body. For further information, please contact us.

On-premise Locations and Retailers

If you are a licensed establishment or a retailer, you are welcome to use the Trustmark to promote authentic craft ciders made from 100% freshly pressed apple juice.

You could display the Trustmark on your food and drink menus, taps, table-tents, banners, coasters, point-of-sales materials such as shelf-talkers and posters or simply as part of special events.

If you have any questions about the Trustmark or the ciders that are eligible to be used with the Trustmark, please contact us.