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| What Is Organic |
Buzz is reaching new heights with organic foods. It
seems to be on the front page of news organizations daily, whether it be about
vegetables, fruits, meat, or even clothing. If you don't know exactly what
"organic" means, you might be a left in the dark on the conversation.
The "organic" label denotes a food product
that meets USDA organic standards. The standards that are required to use the
organic label are generally the following:
1. The food item that is produced does not use
chemical or synthetic inputs. This means not spraying crops with synthetic
pesticides, fertilizers, or fungicides. In animal production, it means not
feeding animals foods that have not been treated with synthetics.
2. The food produced is grown on land that has been
synthetic free for 3 years (generally). Some products might be labeled as
"transitioning to organic", which means that the farm currently
follows all organic regulations and standards, but is being produced on a farm
that might have used synthetics in previous years. Once they meet the
regulatory threshold, they can then use the regular organic label.
3. Organic food producers must maintain stringent
documentation, and be open to periodic on-site inspections by a regulatory
agency to make sure these documents are properly reflected in reality.
These are the general rules set forth by the USDA. The
USDA does provide actual certification, but there are also other third party
certifiers around the country that can also certify foods as being organic.
These organizations have more demanding standards that provides incentive for a
more quality product that consumers can trust.
Why Organic?
All of this matters because organic food is the
fastest growing sector in the food economy. It's popularity is growing because
of the health risks that have been associated with the synthetic sprays that
are used to grow conventional crops, which some studies have shown can cause
all sorts of diseases, including cancer. Organic food can allay the concerns of
consumers, and ensure that they are eating a clean, wholesome product.
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| What Is Organic |
Since organic food producers cannot rely on synthetics
to keep down weeds and fertilize, they often times practice more
environmentally friendly farming methods. Instead of spraying fertilizers, they
use organic fertilizers made from organic sources, and use huge amounts of
compost, which encourages biodiversity in the soil.
It is the combination of health and environmental
benefits that attracts consumers to organic products. Organic is a step in the
right direction for a more sustainable form of food production, and by
purchasing it regularly at the store, you are supporting the organic industry.
More information about diet foods and foods diet here
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