To be or not to Be Organic: That is the Question
Everywhere you look in a supermarket there are items marked “organic”. There is a lot of confusion at exactly what determines an item is organic food. As consumers become more and more health conscious, organic food has increased in popularity exponentially. The future will see more and more products being marketed as organic food.
How does the USDA determine what constitutes organic food?
There is actually a very complex method to determine if a farmer or co-op can market their foods as organic. A division of the United States Department of Agriculture analyzes the composition of the land, record keeping, and a documentation of any herbal or chemical pesticides used on the plant, vegetable, fruit or animal. After passing the certification to label the farm as “organic” the farmer can then be free to use the USDA Organic seal on its produce.
Do all farmers have to have USDA seal of approval to label their foods organic?
No. Only farmers seeking certification through the USDA have the right to label their foods organic. If a non-organic grower markets their product as organic, huge fines can be given.
Are organic foods better than ones grown conventionally?
This is a matter of debate. Those individuals seeking a more natural lifestyle free of antibiotic injected animals and pesticide free vegetables or fruits. Some people can taste the difference between the two but most consumers can not. One huge debate in the scientific and growing communities is the effect of pesticides. Commercial pesticides are heavily regulated whereas natural pesticides are not. Natural pesticides can be just as harmful.
Do organic foods contain pesticides?
Organic foods do not contain any man-made pesticides. There are some growers who use natural chemicals found in plants and insects to protect their crops.
Why is there such a controversy over organic growing?
The controversies that have arisen involve food shortages and the toll organic farming takes on the land. With larger tracts of land being used, and less being produced due to loss, there is a shortage of available food or any surplus to be sent to countries in need of aid. Another debate is the use of pesticides found naturally in nature. Organic farming forbids the use of man-made pesticides. Unfortunately the naturally occurring pesticides are not regulated or tested to determine if they have long term harmful effects.
