What is Organic?

By Clifford Woods

What exactly does “organic” mean?
Very simply – organic products are grown without using synthetic fertilizers, pesticides, genetically modified organisms, sewage sludge, or ionized radiation. Animals that produce poultry, meat and eggs as well as dairy products do not take any growth hormones or antibiotics serve as the organic meat and milk food sources. 

This might sound way too simple to be believed by many people, but this remains the fact; organic simply refers to the products nourished naturally, without the addition of any synthetic chemicals into them.

What Sets ‘Organic Products’ Apart? 
Organic products mean that only natural ingredients are used – nothing synthetic or artificial. The buying of organic food has become a worldwide trend, as consumers aim to spend money on products they believe that they can relate to and trust. This means to know precisely where the country of origin is, how it is processed, and what type of ingredients constitute a product. Without such information at your disposal, you better avoid buying any product labeled ‘organic’, since that might not truly be one.

Organic vs. Inorganic 
Millions of consumers flock to the farmers’ markets and grocery stores spending their dollars and faith in the assurance of organic food being healthier. But there is still a debate around the true value of “organic” and this debate has yet to reach any definitive conclusion. This returning to a “natural diet” tempers shoppers’ interests so much that they have created a worldwide organic market valued at about $48 billion in 2007 and continue to expand till date.

Which Apple to Choose 
Once only found in stores for healthy food, today organic foods are now a normal feature at the majority of supermarkets. In the product section can be found apples; one is a regularly grown apple and the other one is the organic. Both apples are shiny, firm, and red. Both offer vitamins and fiber and both are free of fat, cholesterol, and sodium. Which apple should you choose? Produce that is conventionally grown usually costs less, but is organic food really healthy, safer or more nutritious?



Organic Methods 
The word “organic” denotes to the methods that the farmers use to grow and process farming products, such as fruits, vegetables, meat, grains, and dairy products. Practices for organic farming are created to boost soil and water savings and reduce toxic waste. Farmers growing organic meat and produce do not use the normal ways to avert livestock disease, fertilize, or control weeds. Instead of using weed killer chemicals, organic farmers conduct more refined rotations of crops and spread manure and mulch to keep weeds away, adhering more to natural ways.

Labeling of Organic Items 
Products containing more than 70% organic ingredients may or can say “made with organic ingredients” on their label, but they are not allowed to use the 100% certified seal. Any foods that contain less than 70 percent of organic ingredients cannot use either the term “organic” or the 100% seal on their labels. They can though, display the items that are organic in their ingredient list. 

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Author: Clifford H Woods is the Executive Director of Vibrant Life.
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