I know organic [0] is better. I just don’t know why. Though the U.S. Department of Agriculture [1] created national standards for organic food over three years ago, the exact benefits of organic products are still unclear.
The Berkeley Wellness Letter [2] breaks through the organic hype in this month’s issue.
Organic Defined Foods that bear the USDA Organic [3] seal follow strict criteria that prohibit the use of most conventional pesticides, petroleum-based fertilizers, genetically modified organisms, irradiation, and sewage sludge. Animals are raised on 100 percent organic feed and are not given antibiotics or growth hormones.
100 Percent Organic? Foods that are labeled “100 percent organic” are just that. Those that are simply “organic” must have at least 95 percent of organic ingredients. The organic authenticity sinks from there. Products that are “made with organic ingredients” must include at least 70 percent organic ingredients and anything under 70 percent is not permitted to bear an organic label on the front of the package — instead the organic ingredients can be listed individually.
Organic = Pesticide-Free (Doesn’t it?) Unfortunately not. Organic foods can be processed with botanical (i.e. non-toxic) and a few synthetic pesticides. Even if a food was grown entirely without pesticides, it’s tough to avoid contamination because conventional pesticides and other agricultural chemicals are already in the environment and they can also drift from neighboring farms onto organic fields.
Are Organic foods higher in nutrients? I’m sorry to see this organic myth debunked. Some studies have shown that organic produce is higher in nutrients while others have found no difference at all (no difference? why do I pay five dollars for a bag of organic spinach?).
Berkeley hits all of the hot organic questions in the full story [4]. Is “natural” synonymous with “organic?” Are organic foods free from bacterial contamination? Are organic ice cream, cookies, and chips healthier than their conventional counterparts?
How often do you buy organic food? Do you think it’s worth the extra cost?
[via Berkeley Wellness Letter [5]]
Image: Organic apple from newfarm.org