Why should I shop organic? What's the point?

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference in organic and non-organic foods?

Organic food is made without chemical fertilizers or pesticides. Organic farming practices improve soil health and water quality as well as animal welfare.

Inorganic food is grown with pesticides and chemical fertilizers. Irradiated foods are treated with radiation; genetically modified organisms (GMO) are created through biological engineering techniques.

Sometimes, the term "natural", is used interchangeably with "organic." But natural does not necessarily imply organic. There are also products labelled "natural" which may contain synthetic ingredients.

Organic produce is usually more nutritious that conventional produce. This is because organic soil contains fewer toxic chemicals and pesticides. In addition, organic farmers do not use artificial fertilizers, hormones, antibiotics, or pesticides.

How do you determine if food has been grown organically?

Fresh ingredients are essential for any chef. That's because when we eat well, we feel better.

The same applies to our food. We can identify exactly where and how organic foods were grown when we purchase them. We also know that organics were not treated with harmful chemicals.

Organic food does not contain synthetic pesticides, fertilers, hormones or antibiotics. These substances aren't permitted for organic farmers.

Growing organic crops is an art. You have many options to safely grow them.

Many people refer to organic agriculture as sustainable agriculture. This means that while it uses fewer resources than conventional methods, it provides the necessary nutrients to sustain life.

Organic farming practices include crop rotations and cover crops, manure composting, intercropping, and cover cropping. These practices help to prevent soil erosion and improve water purity.

They also reduce chemical runoff into waterways. Many of us live in urban areas so we have access to local farms that produce organic produce.

Two types of certification programs are available for organic products. One is certified through the USDA National Organic Program and the other by independent certifying agents. Both require strict conformity to organic standards.

USDA seals and O Seals may be used to identify organic products that meet federal standards.

What are organic foods?

Organic produce is free from synthetic fertilizers, pesticides, sewage sludge and confinement feeding. No growth hormones are used. Animal testing is also not done. These crops can grow naturally so that farmers don't have to use pesticides or weed control.

Organic farming practices preserve soil quality and help conserve water resources. Organics have more nutrients than traditional food, which makes them better for our health. Organic products tend to be higher in fiber and lower fat than conventionally produced foods.

Are organic foods better?

According to the Environmental Working Group, organic vegetables and fruits had half the amount of pesticides as non-organic. They found that organic apples contained eight times fewer pesticides than non-organic apples, while organic strawberries were four times cleaner than their conventional counterparts.

Research has also suggested that organic food may reduce mercury and lead exposure. One study found that organic meats had 33 percent less lead in children than the levels of those who did not eat them. Another study concluded traditional fish should not be consumed by pregnant women, due to high mercury levels.

Overall, organic food does seem to be safer than its non-organic counterpart. However, to reduce your risk of cancer and other diseases, experts recommend choosing fresh fruit and vegetables whenever possible.

What are organic products that can be used on the skin?

Organic skincare products are free from synthetic chemicals, such as parabens and phthalates, petroleum jelly, mineral oil, petroleum jelly, propylene glycol, sodium laurylsulphate. Talc, triclosan. titanium dioxide. triethanolamine. Vitamin A palmitate.

Organic skincare products are also free of artificial colours, fragrances, preservatives, emulsifiers, GMOs, petrochemicals, animal testing (except cosmetics tested on animals), pesticides, hormones, antibiotics, heavy metals, and other contaminants.

They are designed to promote healthy skin, prevent premature wrinkles, heal injuries after they happen, and support overall wellbeing.

These are some terms that you might see when looking for organic products

• Paraben Free is a grouping of chemicals that are used to maintain certain cosmetic products safe, but can be toxic when consumed in large quantities.
• Fragrance-Free – The product does not contain essential oils or perfumes.
• Cruelty-Free - No animals were harmed during the manufacturing process.
• Natural Ingredients: The ingredient is naturally derived form the animal or plant.
• Vegan/Vegetarian - the ingredients are either vegan or vegetarian.
• Gluten-Free is a label that indicates that no gluten was added to the product.
• Non-Toxic -- The product doesn’t contain toxic substances, carcinogens, harmful compounds, or any other dangerous chemicals that could pose a threat to your health.
• Biodegradable: The product will be discarded as harmless components.
• Pesticide-Free – No pesticides were used in the growing or harvesting of crops.
• GMO-Free means that no ingredient in the product contains genetically modified organisms.
• Certified Organic is a certification that the ingredients of the recipe were grown using sustainable methods.

What is an organic food producer?

Organic food producers create products that are grown without pesticides and chemical fertilizers. These foods include fruits and vegetables, grains, as well as dairy products.

Organic food production happens on farms where crops have been naturally nurtured. This includes soil preparation and pest control as well as crop rotation.

The USDA (United States Department of Agriculture), must set strict criteria for organic agricultural products.

These guidelines help consumers access healthy, safe and nutritious foods.

Organic foods have higher nutritional content and better flavor, as well as lower pesticide residues.

USDA Certified Organic products must be labeled with the seal "USDA certified organic".

This certification means that the product meets the standards laid down by the National Organic Program.

Organic food can help us eat better and protect our environment.

Organic farming methods help conserve natural resources like water and land. Organic farming techniques also help to reduce greenhouse gas emissions which contributes to climate change.

Organic agriculture uses less chemicals and reduces the amount of pollution runoff.

Because harmful gases such as ammonia or nitrates are less likely in the atmosphere, it also improves air quality.

There are many types of organic farming, including conventional, regenerative, agroecological, and permaculture.

Conventional farming uses synthetic inputs such pesticides and fertilizers.

Regenerative farming involves compost, cover crops, and green manures to improve soil health. It encourages biodiversity.

Agroecology is concerned with sustainable relationships between humans, plants, animals, and the environment.

Permaculture promotes self sufficiency through the creation of systems that imitate nature.

Why should I go organic?

The health risks of conventional agriculture include asthma, allergies and diabetes. When buying food, you must make wise choices.

The Environmental Working Group offers these tips:

When possible, buy organic fruits and veggies

USDA organic labels for meat, poultry eggs, milk and cheese as well butter and honey are recommended.

Avoid processed foods labeled as "natural" or "no additives."

Be sure to read all ingredient labels. It is possible to add an ingredient during processing if it isn't already listed.

Fresh meats are better than canned or frozen. Cans and frozen foods are often less nutritious than fresh meats, such as high fructose corn syrup.

Statistics

• When packaged products indicate they are “made with organic [specific ingredient or food group],” they contain at least 70% organically produced ingredients. (usda.gov)
• 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)
• Brands participating in this challenge are committed to using 100 percent sustainable cotton by 2025.[5] (en.wikipedia.org)
• According to a study performed by consumerreports.org, organic products, compared to non-organic products, ranged anywhere from 13 percent cheaper to 303 percent more expensive. (en.wikipedia.org)

External Links

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• Evaluation of the micronutrient composition of plant foods produced by organic and conventional agricultural methods - PubMed


• Comparison of the total ascorbic and phenolic acid contents of air-dried and freeze-dried marionberry, strawberry and corn grown using conventional, organic and sustainable agricultural practices – PubMed

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• EWG's 2022 Shopper’s Guide to pesticides in produce


• Clean Fifteen(tm) Conventional Produce with the Least Pesticides

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• USDA

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• Home


• Agricultural Marketing Service

How To

Organic food: Are they healthier and better for you?

Organic foods are produced without the use of chemical pesticides and synthetic fertilizers. They are grown under natural conditions, without artificial inputs like pesticides, herbicides hormones, antibiotics, genetic engineering, and fungicides. Organic farming methods include crop rotation, cover, composting animal manure and recycling wastewater.

In 2002, USDA National Organic Program was established. It regulates the handling, processing, labelling and sale of organic products within the United States. The NOP regulations ensure that organic agricultural products are produced according to federal standards outlined in the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act. Furthermore, the NOP rules require organic products to be free of banned substances such as pesticides residues and growth hormones.

Two types of certification programs are available in the United States for producers who wish to have their products labeled organic. One is for farmers and ranchers; one is for manufacturers. Both programs require an annual audit of the operations in order to confirm compliance with stringent standards. There are several certifying organizations that offer these services. These include the CCOF Certified Organic Farmers & Ranchers as well as Quality Assurance International and the American Grassfed Association. The three organizations all provide verification by third parties that farms have followed strict guidelines for environmental stewardship as well as labour practices and the care of livestock.

The USDA's Economic Research Service estimates that organic agriculture was responsible for $4.7 billion of 2013 sales. That year, retail spending on certified organic products totalled nearly $1.5 billion, representing a 23 percent increase since 2009. Sales at grocery stores were up 12 percent during this period. Spending on direct purchases of organic produce increased by 29 percent, while spending on meat, poultry, eggs, dairy, and seafood grew by only 1 percent.

While organic food costs more, consumers say its quality justifies the added expense. Consumer Reports conducted a survey in 2015 and found that 88 percent of respondents would pay more for organic foods if they had higher nutritional value. Health Affairs also published a study showing that organic foods are less likely for people to get heart disease, diabetes, cancer, or obesity.

There is no evidence to suggest eating organic foods can treat or prevent any diseases. However, some studies have suggested that they might be beneficial for your health as they may reduce your exposure of pesticides and contaminants. According to a 2010 review of 31 studies, organically raised beef showed significantly lower levels in toxic chemicals and parasites than conventionally produced beef. Similar conclusions were reached in a separate analysis of 11 other studies published in 2012.

The Environmental Working Group's 2014 report examined data from the Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Marketing Resource Center. It found that foodborne illnesses caused by E.coli, salmonella and listeria monocytogenes and verotoxin producing E.coli O157:H7 declined when organic and non-organic chickens, meat, lamb, dairy, and cheese were compared. The group also observed that E.coliO157 is a less prevalent cause of illness in humans among children than adults. This was because the USDA has imposed stricter organic standards on animals raised for human consumption.

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