Are you buying organic when you buy groceries? Are you buying organic when you shop in stores? These are questions every person should be asking about the products they buy.
Organic refers to the method of production for a food or agricultural product. In this context, the term organic means that the production process has been through a set of procedures designed to regularize and protect the natural qualities of the food.
In general, organic foods are considered to be more sustainable than nonorganic foods, although this depends on what country you look at. Some countries have strict rules about whether a product is organic or not, which can affect how much money people spend on it.
Contents:
Organic means less chemicals
There are a wide range of chemicals used to grow plants, make food, unions drugs, and others. Some of these chemicals are very safe in small amounts, but many larger industries use them.
Because of this, it is hard to determine what organic material is actually free of these chemicals. Many times the term organic is just a label that says there are no synthetic ingredients.
But in real life, the food may not be! Many times we see companies use newer methods and products that are not entirely reliable. There have been times when companies switched out what they said they were going to be and/or what they produced was missing or overturned.
For instance, when I was researching Steven Shapin, he talked about his work with biology and evolution.
Organic means helping the environment
People who buy organic food are helping the environment because they’re paying more for it. More expensive food is better food and saving money is cool.
More expensive farms are required to use more natural methods to control pests and ensure sustainability. At lower cost farms, less may use the latest practices like antibiotics or lethal pesticides.
It may also cost more to have the food grown in organic mode than on a conventional farm, where maybe some usage of natural methods is expected.
That savings can be spread around instead of just going into a bank or investment firm and receiving an organic investment grade bond. It’s something you can see and feel, and it makes a difference in whether you buy the product or not.
You can also support real organic farmers by paying more for their food. You can also support them through buying local, supporting non-corporate farmers in your area.
Organic means higher cost
While it is great if you are paying more when you buy organic food, the cost does not mean much if you are also buying less healthy foods.
During the past decade, there has been a lot of focus on documenting and promoting healthy foods. This has made a difference in how many people consume what looks and feels like an organic product.
Since more people have been recording and promoting their food items since the 1990s, there are more ideas about what foods look and feel organic. Many of these ideas have fallen out of favor, but today there is a trend towards finding them more than not.
Since more people are recording and reporting details of their foods these days, there is a growing awareness industry wide of what is true organic and not. More often than not, the less-organic products do not meet current USDA guidelines for being considered full-organic.
Are organic foods more nutritious?
Much is said about the dangers of organic materials. These include:
The use of natural compounds in the planting and growing process is thought to involve an active, ongoing relationship with Mother Nature. She shares her resources with whomever she sees fit and for whatever purpose.
By using sources such as pesticides, antibiotics, and herbicides when preparing food for cultivation, you are taking advantage of her design feature.
You are dealing with a very small number of individuals who have the intelligence to avoid such things and who know how important healthy eating is. The majority of people don’t have that level of intelligence!
Many people who eat organic foods trace the origins of their food to where it was produced.
Are organic foods safer?
Are organic foods safer? Are they more nutritious? Are they better for you?
Because of this, we are consuming dangerous levels of sodium, cholesterol, trans fat and other dietary “toxicants” that may not be as beneficial as we think. We also are receiving little to no vitamins D and C, two key nutrients when it comes to health and disease.
Are organic foods better for the environment?
Are organic foods better for the environment? Are organic foods better for the environment?
For example, Organic Valley, a supermarket chain that sells organic fruits and vegetables, pledges to source only its organically grown produce from one specific farm in northern Minnesota each year. This farm’s crops are certified Organic by the USDA.
By not buying conventional produce, you are actually being more responsible toward the environment. You are also getting more fresh, authentic food with less use of grocery stores and delivery services means you can keep more food fresh longer!
Another way to eat organically is by choosing eggs from cage-free chickens and buying whole milk instead of skimmed or fortified withievals.
Do you really know what “organic” means?
In fact, most times when you buy “organic” fruit or vegetables, you are not really
queuing up a signal that they are healthier than other fruits and vegetables.
Many times, the “organic” label merely indicates that the vegetable or fruit was grown in a
regional center for certification, such as California.
While this is nice to know and see, it is not a signal that the vegetable or fruit is more healthy than others of its kind.
The word “organic” has become one of those phrases that people use but don’t really understand.
The price difference between organic and non-organic foods
This is one of the most common myths about organic food and health. Even though the word “organic” is supposedly found on the product packaging, it does not mean that the food or health item is healthier because of it.
People often buy organic foods or health products in an effort to “support the farm” or because they think it is more expensive. While there are some places where being organic makes sense, in most cases it’s just not necessary and cost-effective to purchase organic.
To be sure, some fields are much more prone to chemical contamination than others. But even in these cases, non-organic crops are usually used, meaning you are still supporting local agriculture and business. You still get what you pay for: reliable, quality results.