Things You Didn’t Know About Organic Food

Slide 1Overview
You probably know that organic food is a greener choice for the planet. It’s fully
traceable from farm to fork, doesn’t require synthetic fertilisers or pesticides, uses
less energy, and is produced with the utmost respect for the animals that provide it.
But there’s a whole lot more to organics than that.
Organic isn’t
just for the rich
Many are making efforts to help everyone access organic food, from giant companies
like Walmart to local non-profits like Growing Power, a Milwaukee community
garden that helps thousands of area residents buy affordable, sustainable food.
78% of U.S.
food
Yet according to the Organic Trade Association, even though sales of organic food
and beverages have grown from $1 billion in 1990 to an estimated $29 billion in
2011, that only represents 4.2% of all food sold in the U.S.
Pregnant
attention!
These groups may benefit most from organics. Studies show that fetuses and young
children might be harmed by exposure to even low levels of pesticides.
It’s not just
veg
You might commonly associate organic food with fresh produce, but there are actually
organic options for everything from grains such as rice, wheat and quinoa, to store
cupboard basics like sugar, olive oil, tea and coffee. In fact, organics go far beyond the
kitchen, and include clothing, furniture and beauty products as well.
Organic could
still come
from China
To get to your plate, most food travels over 1,000 miles—even organic food. Check
the labels or ask the market manager to figure out the origin of your organic
produce, and try to buy local. In addition to helping the environment, shopping local
keeps dollars in your community. Note: Even if a local, small farm isn’t certified
organic, many of them use organic methods.
Organic
once the only
kind of farming
You might think that organic farming is something of a new-age trend, but just before
the Second World War farming across the entire planet was done organically. It was
only after the war that fertilisers, chemicals and pesticides became widely used.
Don’t picture
meat
The USDA requires that, “organic meat, poultry, eggs, and dairy products come
from animals … given no antibiotics or growth hormones.” But this could just mean
the animals ate organic corn instead of conventional corn. Organic meat is probably
worth the expense to reduce your exposure to antibiotic-resistant bacteria.
Skip labels that
organic
When it comes to fish and ocean life, there are no federal regulations that makes
something “sustainable” or “organic.” So if you see seafood marked as such, be
wary: It’s not required on a state or federal basis to meet any specific standards, it
hasn’t been tested for toxicity, and it’s probably more expensive.
You can save
money
According to a recent article in Pediatrics, researchers found that milk from cows
given hormones seems safe for kids and concluded there is no significant difference in
the estrogen concentration of organic versus conventional milk. Their surprising
recommendation: Drink skim milk (organic or not), because higher-fat milks contain
more estrogen, which has been linked to cancer and other hormonal issues.
Organic is not
about
superfoods
A recent Stanford meta-analysis claimed that “eating organic doesn’t give you any
health benefits,” which caused a lot of commentary on whether organic was better
for you. However, researchers honed in on nutrient makeup without examining
pesticide residue and antibiotic resistance. They also left out the bigger picture:
Organic farming systems replenish soil and protect important resources like water,
compared to conventional farming which can contaminate soil and water with
chemicals and nitrogen.
from
conventional
produce
Washing conventional produce doesn’t remove all its pesticides and transform it into
organic. Rinsing might wash some pesticides from the food’s surface but not from
within the flesh. (Washing does remove food-borne-illness pathogens, so don’t skip
it.)
Processed
processed
food
If a food comes out of a box and is labeled organic, it means it’s healthier only in that
it was minimally produced without artificial ingredients, preservatives, or
irradiation. And you can feel good that workers, animals, and the environment were
all treated better in the process. However, it might not be nutritionally better for
you!
“Conventional”
sustainable
Chemical fertilizers are only so successful in controlling pests before they develop
tolerances. Then, new stronger formulas need to be developed, which eventually
taps out our soils. The short-term gains of conventional farming (ie, cheaper prices)
are actually reducing our chances to return to organic methods.
Organic seeds
are in danger
Four of the world’s largest agrochemical companies own a whopping 50% of the
world’s farmed seeds—and they aren’t breeding them for organic conditions. Just as
we need to think about the soils, we also need to think about the seeds; conserving and
developing crop genetic diversity is essential.
Organic crops
are less likely
to be buggy
Because the soil is nourished by natural methods, the crops are better equipped to
resist disease and insects. When pests get out of hand, organic farmers rely on
natural options like insect predators, traps, and mating disruption to get rid of them
and restore balance to their land.
“Organic”
100% organic
According to the USDA, unless it says “100% organic,” any item labeled “organic”
only needs 95% of its ingredients to have been organically grown. Also, some
ingredients are exempt from the definition because they are “too difficult to source
organically,” including foods using sausage castings, some coloring, celery powder,
and fish oils.
Organic foods undergo intense USDA regulations: No synthetic fertilizers, synthetic
growth and breeding hormones, antibiotics, and GMOs; any pesticides used must be
natural. It takes three years, and thousands of dollars in fees, for farms to go organic.
Once certified, farmers get regular inspections, keep detailed logs and must stay
prepared for surprise visits to test their soil and water.
Organic crops
food
Everything from t-shirts to napkins and cosmetic puffs can be purchased as certified
organic products that are made from organic fiber. Organic flowers and organic
furniture are also rising in popularity, too.
The Expiration
Date Does Not
Mean That the
Food Goes Bad
The expiration date on the package of food does not mean that the product will go
bad at this exact moment. It is just a guideline to tell you when it is likely to expire.
To learn if an item is still good or not, you should follow these simple steps. First,
check the sell-by date and then look for a best-by date. If it has neither of these dates
on it, you should also examine the condition of the packaging and contents. If there
are no visible signs of spoilage, it is probably safe to consume.
Organic Food
The Planet
There are many benefits of choosing organic over conventional farming including that
it reduces carbon emissions by 50%, takes up less energy use due to the lack of
machinery, and reduces pollution levels by 50%. Moreover, organic farming can be
beneficial for the climate as it removes CO2 from the atmosphere. Organic
agriculture is not only great for the environment but also for human health.
Conclusion
There is a reason why many people choose organic produce over conventional crops
as you can see from the list above. Organic food is healthier, more nutritious, helps
support local farmers, and overall better for the planet. In fact, eating organic food is
one of the most simple and effective ways you can take to help the environment and
lower your carbon footprint. The key is to read the labels carefully, make sure that it
is truly organic, and buy local products from local farmers markets. Do not forget
that the organic label is not a guarantee of quality, so be sure to do your research
before buying. An easy way to do this is to research what farmers are providing in
your local area, by getting to know them you can guarantee that it is organic.