We often hear that organic chicken is healthier, better for the environment and more humane than regular chicken. But is it really worth the extra money?
To be considered organic, a chicken must be fed 100% certified-organic feed, have access to outdoor areas and not be treated with growth-promoting antibiotics. Here’s what that means in practice:
Higher Standards of Farming and Production
While a lot of consumers believe that the organic label means humane treatment of farm animals (see this study), only some actually buy meat with a higher welfare standard. This shows that there is a big gap between attitudes and behavior.
The ideal chicken farm in the eyes of the participants was described as having husbandry systems with much space for the animals including free-ranging, a fully circular production (from feeding to slaughtering) and good transparency about animal conditions for consumers. The use of regional feedstuff was also important.
However, participants did not expect to see whole broilers sold from this kind of farm. They would prefer to purchase chicken cuts. This preference for cuts is not surprising since these products require less time to prepare and there is a lesser food waste at the household level. Three participants suggested that farmers could increase consumer interest in whole chicken by associating it with special occasions like barbecue or by providing recipes for cooking the product.
Better Nutrition
If you’re looking for something healthier than regular chicken, organic chicken is the way to go. It may cost a bit more, but the health benefits are well worth it.
You should also look for chicken that is labeled as free-range or raised with no antibiotics. These chickens will have a much more bucolic life before they end up on your plate, and the meat will taste much better than those pumped full of artificial hormones and salt solutions for preservation.
Organic feed contains no chemicals, pesticides or additives, so the chickens themselves are a much more healthy and safer option than traditional ones. Additionally, the shortened lifespan of these chickens means that they are not being exposed to the harmful bacteria, like salmonella and helicobacter pylori that can cause serious health issues.
All of this makes it clear that organic is always a better choice for the environment and human consumers alike. So if you can afford the extra expense, try switching over to organic chicken from now on!
A More Satisfying Eating Experience
The organic label and other stamps like free-range, pasture-raised, or hormone-free, make the chicken we eat safer and healthier for us and the planet. In addition to the higher nutritional value, these labels mean that chickens are treated with more respect while alive and their meat is tastier, too!
Choosing organic chicken helps to reform the unethical and unsanitary practices of many poultry farms. It also provides consumers with a more satisfying eating experience, and allows people to support sustainable agriculture in general.
However, be sure to read the fine print on all of these labels. Despite their rosy sounding descriptions, the majority of these designations don’t actually tell you much about how the chickens are raised. Some, such as the "organic" label, only indicate that the chicken was fed an all-natural diet and wasn't given growth hormones or poultry slaughter byproducts, but does not guarantee the quality of the chickens' lives. This is particularly important to consider because some producers still withhold medication from sick chickens in order to maintain their organic label.
Healthier Environment
With the average American consuming 93 pounds of chicken per year, seeking out better quality meat is incredibly important. However, consumers should beware of misleading labels like "all natural" that do not actually mean anything. According to Consumer Reports, only organically raised chickens can be labeled as all-natural and have access to the outdoors. They are also not fed any GMO grains and do not receive routine antibiotics.
On the other hand, "free-range" does not have any enforceable guidelines that dictate how much time the chickens spend outside or the amount of space they must have to qualify as free-range. In reality, most "free-range" chickens live in small cement pens and only get to venture outdoors when it's time for them to be slaughtered.
The USDA's own advisory board has indicated that the current organic standards fall far short of what is needed to improve the welfare of poultry. When it comes to animal welfare, the higher cost of organically raised chicken is worth it.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is an organic food processor?
Organic food producers produce organic foods that are free from pesticides and other chemical fertilizers. These foods include fruits, veggies, grains, and dairy goods.
Organic food production happens on farms where crops have been naturally nurtured. This includes crop rotation, soil preparation, and pest control.
To be organic, an agricultural product must meet the strict criteria of USDA (United States Department of Agriculture).
These guidelines help consumers access healthy, safe and nutritious foods.
Organic foods offer many health benefits. They are free from heavy metal contamination and pesticide residues. They also have higher nutritional content and better taste.
USDA Certified Organic products must be labeled with the seal "USDA certified organic".
This certification indicates that the product meets the requirements of the National Organic Program.
Organic food not only makes us healthier but also helps to protect the environment.
Organic farming techniques preserve water and land. Organic farming also helps to reduce greenhouse gases emissions, which are responsible for climate change.
Organic agriculture uses less chemicals and reduces the amount of pollution runoff.
Because of this, harmful gases such as ammonia and even nitrates will not build up in the air.
There are many types to organic farming.
Conventional farming is the use of synthetic inputs like pesticides or fertilizers.
Regenerative farming uses compost, cover crops, green manures, and other methods to improve the soil's health. It encourages biodiversity.
Agroecology emphasizes sustainable relationships between people and plants.
Permaculture encourages self-sufficiency by creating systems that are similar to nature.
Is organic meat better?
If you have been paying attention for long enough, you will probably know the answer. But here's the rub, organic food is becoming more popular while conventional food continues to fall out of favour.
Organic foods are becoming more popular because they are better for us. In addition to being safer for our health, organic products also help the environment by reducing pollution and waste.
There are many sides to this coin. Organic produce takes more time to grow and requires greater resources. Organic food can be more expensive than its nonorganic counterpart.
Organic meats will typically be more expensive than those that are raised in conventional conditions. But there are ways to cut costs without sacrificing quality.
One way to save money is to buy locally. Buying locally grown fruits and vegetables helps keep prices low because farmers receive incentives to grow healthy crops.
Another way to cut costs is to look for deals. When you purchase organics, there are often discounts.
Consuming less meat is another way to save cash. Feeding livestock can be very expensive.
There are many reasons that organic food is better than regular food for our bodies, and also for the planet. However, it is important to remember the price.
What is inorganic foods?
Organic food is grown without pesticides and artificial fertilizers. These chemicals could cause health problems for those who eat inorganic food.
Organic food is free from harmful substances like pesticides and herbicides. These chemicals can harm humans and animals.
Inorganic food can include meat, fish eggs, buttermilk cheese, buttermilk, yogurt, honey grains, vegetables, fruits spices, and herbs.
Organic refers specifically to the method an agricultural product has been grown. Organic farming is based on natural methods, soil amendments, and crop growth. Conventional farming uses pesticides, fertilizers, and chemicals.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) must set strict guidelines for organic foods. All organic food must comply with the National Organic Program Standards. This means that it must not contain prohibited materials like antibiotics, growth hormones or genetically modified organisms (GMOs), as well as industrial solvents. Organic food must be grown without the use of toxic chemicals or petroleum-based fertilizers.
What are organic fruits and vegetables?
Organic foods do not use pesticides, artificial fertilizers, hormones or antibiotics. They contain more nutrients such vitamins A, C. E, and, in some cases, omega-3 oils. These ingredients are good for our bodies as well as the planet.
Organic foods are produced using sustainable agricultural practices that protect soil quality and promote biological diversity. They are free of toxic chemicals, irradiation and sewage effluent.
Many organic products are not associated with produce. They include dairy and meat, poultry, eggs baked goods, pet food, household cleaning supplies, and personal care products.
The USDA defines organic as crops grown in accordance with strict federal regulations. Non-organic methods cannot be used by farmers to grow these foods. They may however use approved natural pest management methods like crop rotation or cover cropping as well as organic feeds.
The farmer must also follow the guidelines for how much fertilizer and insecticide he uses throughout the growing season. He must also rotate his fields among different crops. GMOs (genetically modified organisms), synthetic growth hormones and insecticides as well as synthetic fertilizers are prohibited by farmers.
Fruits and vegetables labelled "100% organic" meet all the requirements above. But some farms do not label their products as 100% organic because it would confuse consumers. Instead, they will label the product as "made from organic ingredients". "
What is the difference between organic food and inorganic?
Organic food is grown without the use of pesticides or chemical fertilizers, sewage effluent, radiation, or genetic modification. Organic farming practices promote soil health, water quality and animal welfare.
Inorganic foods are produced using chemical fertilizers, pesticides, and sewage effluent. Radiation can be used to destroy food, while genetically modified organisms are created by biological engineering.
The term "natural" is often used interchangeably with "organic." However, natural does not necessarily mean organic. Natural products can also be labeled with synthetic ingredients.
Organic produce is often more nutritious than conventional produce, as the soil has fewer pesticides and harmful chemicals. Organic farmers do not use pesticides, artificial fertilizers, hormones, anti-biotics, and other harmful chemicals.
Statistics
- Cosmetic brands such as Laurel and Rose Mira are 100 percent organic and have a wide array of skincare products. (en.wikipedia.org)
- When packaged products indicate they are “made with organic [specific ingredient or food group],” they contain at least 70% organically produced ingredients. (usda.gov)
- Popular clothing brands, like Patagonia, are labelled as organic by using 100 percent organic cotton for many of their styles. (en.wikipedia.org)
- Once certified by the USDA, it can fall into one of four categories: "100 percent organic", "organic," "made with organic ingredients," or "made with less than 70 percent organic ingredients. (en.wikipedia.org)
External Links
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- A Review of Journal of Toxicology and Environmental Health: Cancer Risk and Occupational Pesticide Expositions: Part B: Vol 15, Number 4
- Genetically modified foods - safety, risks and public concern - A review - Journal of Food Science and Technology
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- Organic food and the impact on human nutrition: A comparison of the status-quo and potential research - ScienceDirect
- Technical note: Simultaneous analysis of vitamin and carotenoid content in milk from cows fed total mixed rations. Xanthophyll detection is possible - ScienceDirect
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- PubMed: Evaluation of the micronutrient content of plant foods grown using conventional and organic agricultural methods.
- Comparison of the total amount of phenolic and/or ascorbic acids in freeze-dried and dried marionberry, strawberry, or corn grown using conventional and organic agricultural practices - PubMed
How To
What happens when you switch from conventional products to organic?
Organic products are grown without pesticides, synthetic fertilizers, hormones, antibiotics, or genetic manipulation. They are derived from clean water and animals that have been free to roam. The term "organic" means they do not contain any chemicals or additives. This product was produced by nature and therefore contains no harmful substances.
Natural means how food is grown. It's used to describe foods that have not been altered into their final form (e.g. fruits). Natural foods are often fresher than others because they haven't been treated with heat, radiation, or chemical preservatives. Some people think natural does not necessarily mean healthy. Many experts say there isn't much difference between conventional and organic foods. Both types of food have been tested for safety and quality. But organic produce has fewer pollutants and pesticide residues than conventionally grown produce.
In general, most grocery stores now offer organic options. You can find organic meat, poultry, eggs, and seafood at your local market. Some companies offer only organic products while others have separate sections. USDA Certified Organic and Non-GMO Project Verified are some of the options.
These items should be avoided if you're pregnant or breastfeeding. Pesticides have been shown to harm infants and unborn babies.
Resources:
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