Is organic food more nutritious than regular food? Organic foods are not healthier, per se, in terms of nutrients. You are still getting the same benefits in conventionally grown foods as you are in organic foods.
Interest in organic products is booming not only due to a more conscientious consumer, but also thanks to rising incomes in a strong economy and improved farming practices that make organic yields more robust.
Production costs for organic foods are typically higher because of greater labor input and because farmers don't produce enough of a single product to lower the overall cost. Marketing and the distribution chain for organic products are relatively inefficient, and costs are higher because of relatively small volumes.
Organic food items are gaining popularity for pretty straightforward reasons i.e. GMO-free content, nutrient richness, zero growth hormones, zero antibiotics, fewer pesticides, improved freshness levels, and better environmental stability.
Organic is the fastest growing sector of the U.S. food industry. Organic food sales increase by double digits annually, far outstripping the growth rate for the overall food market. Now, an unprecedented and conclusive study links economic health to organic agriculture.
But actually the organic label on American grown foods is one that people can trust, and it means that a government agency (the US Department of Agriculture) has certified that the food was grown organically. Yes, there are standards for organic food.
According to an annual summary of pesticide data, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) revealed that a whopping 21 percent of organic samples tested contained pesticide residue.
On loose fruits and vegetables, look at the Price Look Up (PLU) sticker. If the produce is organic, the code will contain five-digits beginning with 9. Non-organic counterparts will have four digits. (Example: Organically grown bananas will be 94011, compared to 4011 for those treated with chemicals and pesticides.)
A: Organic has a precise meaning under the USDA's organic program. Certified 100% Organic means that all the ingredients in a product have been grown or raised according to the USDA's organic standards, which are the rules for producing foods labeled organic.
Foods with the "Made with organic ingredients" must contain at least 70 percent organically produced ingredients. For a product to be labeled "100 percent organic," the USDA states that it must meet these criteria: All ingredients must be certified organic. Any processing aids must be organic.
The use of genetic engineering, or genetically modified organisms (GMOs), is prohibited in organic products. This means an organic farmer can't plant GMO seeds, an organic cow can't eat GMO alfalfa or corn, and an organic soup producer can't use any GMO ingredients.
Aldi's SimplyNature brand offers shoppers great value on organic products. Yet Aldi's selection of organic products, while growing, remains somewhat limited. So if you're shopping at this grocery chain, you may need to visit another store to get everything on your shopping list.
Foods that meet USDA organic standards are "certified organic," also sometimes called "USDA-certified organic." Organic food in the United States can be identified when the following conditions are met: The product bears the official USDA organic seal. The product contains 95 percent or more organic ingredients.
The study demonstrated that choosing organic food reduces both the occurrence and number of pesticides in the body. On average, the concentration of pesticides when the family ate the conventional diet was nine times greater than when they ate the organic diet.
Organic 101: Five Steps to Organic Certification
- STEP 1: Develop an organic system plan. The organic system plan is the foundation of the organic certification process.
- STEP 2: Implement the organic system plan.
- STEP 3: Receive inspection.
- STEP 4: Have a certifying agent review the inspection report.
- STEP 5: Receive a decision from the certifier.
As previously mentioned, a product can't be labeled with any organic claims unless the product has been certified organic. Some operations, however, are exempt from certification like organic farms that sell less than $5,000 in organic products per year (gross sales).
Organic Product CertificationIf you want to label your business products as 'organic', they need to be certified.
Top 10 Organic Certificates Worldwide
- United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Organic Certification.
- Quality Assurance International (QAI)
- Nature's International Certification Services (NICS)
- EU Organic Certification.
- SCS Global Certificate.
- International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements Certification (IFOAM)
Beyond money and ethics, though, organic farming practices result in numerous environmental benefits.
- Reduced Exposure to Pesticides and Chemicals.
- Organic Farming Builds Healthy Soil.
- Fighting the Effects of Global Warming.
- Organic Farming Supports Water Conservation and Water Health.
- Discouraging Algal Blooms.
Organic labels can be found on produce, dairy, meat, processed foods, condiments and beverages. Food products labeled “organic” must contain at least 95% organic ingredients with no synthetic growth hormones, antibiotics, pesticides, biotechnology, synthetic ingredients or irradiation used in production or processing.
Natural: Food labeled "natural," according to the USDA definition, does not contain artificial ingredients or preservatives and the ingredients are only minimally processed. However, they may contain antibiotics, growth hormones, and other similar chemicals.
ECOCERT is an organic certification organization, founded in France in 1991. ECOCERT primarily certifies food and food products, but also certifies cosmetics, detergents, perfumes, and textiles. The company inspects about 70% of the organic food industry in France and about 30% worldwide.
Company names containing the term “organic” may be displayed as the name of the manufacturer, packer, or distributor and listed on the information panel as required by Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulations.
The term “Organic” indicates that the product comes from at least 95% organic ingredients. “100% organic” means that all of the ingredients are organic. The USDA regulates the use of the terms “organic” and “100% organic” through third-party certification organizations.
Put simply, if you see the “USDA Organic” or “Certified Organic” seal on your food, the item must have an ingredients list and the contents should be 95 percent or more certified organic (not counting salt and water), meaning free of synthetic additives like pesticides, chemical fertilizers and dyes, and must not be
The certificate must have the phrase “NOP” or “USDA organic standards” on it. The certificate should have an inspection date on it from within the last year (this may also be a “last printed” date).
Certified 100 Percent Organic means that all the ingredients in a product have been grown or raised according to the USDA's organic standards, which are the rules for producing foods labeled organic. Certified Organic requires that 95 to 99 percent of the ingredients follow the rules.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) oversees the program and enforces the NOP regulations and standards. They regulate use of the term "organic" on food labels. The USDA requirements for products that are labeled with the term "organic" are separate from the laws that FDA enforces.
Organic farming is the production of food without the use of synthetic chemicals or genetically modified components. Organic foods are not necessarily completely chemical free, but the pesticide residues will be considerably lower than those found in produce manufactured with synthetic chemicals.
The use of genetic engineering, or genetically modified organisms (GMOs), is prohibited in organic products. This means an organic farmer can't plant GMO seeds, an organic cow can't eat GMO alfalfa or corn, and an organic soup producer can't use any GMO ingredients.
By uncertified operations, or operations that have been suspended or revoked from organic certification. The USDA organic seal may be used in materials not intended for marketing organic products, pending approval by the USDA National Organic Program (NOP).
In short, yes, it's important to buy organic meat if you are concerned about consuming growth hormones. Due to the size of the farms they partner with, Porter Road doesn't pay for USDA Organic grading but their animals are pasture raised and never fed GMOs, antibiotics, or growth hormones.
