Organic food - what's the deal?
September 17th 2008 09:22
Organic foods – what’s the deal?
Organic food – what is the deal with organic food? Is it really better than conventional food or is it what they want you to think? I’m curious about this, so I thought I would investigate the topic of organic food. So what is organic food and what is involved in the production of organic food? What are the pros and cons of organic food? What foods are produced organically and how do we know if a food is genuinely organic?
What is organic food and organic farming?
According to Wikipedia, Bio Gro NZ, and MSN Encarta, organic food is food that has been produced naturally. That is food that has been grown without the use articial fertilizers, herbicides and pesticides; human waste; genetic modification. Organic food also includes food products from animals have been raised without been dosed without antibiotics and growth hormones. Organic food is processed without food additives and ionizing radiation.
What is involved in organic farming and the production of organic food?
According to MSN Encarta, organic foods are grown without the use of genetically modified seeds. Crops are fertilized with manure and compost which provides nutrients to the soil and encourages beneficial organisms (eg earth worms) into the soil. Crops are treated with pesticides derived from plants, animal waste and minerals, these are much better as they break down quickly into non toxic substances. Crop rotation is also used to help nourish the soil. Crop rotation involves growing one type of plant in the field for a few seasons and then planting a different crop in the same field in the next season.
Organic farming also involves a technique called intercropping. Intercropping is when different crops are planted in alternating bands in order to interrupt the movement of disease causing organisms. This works because many insects only feed on one type of plant. Another pest control technique is to spray plants with bacteria, which kill crop-damaging larvae. Farmers may also grow plants that attract ladybugs and lacewings to get rid of unwanted insects. Mulching is another method of organic pest control. It involves covering soil around crops with straw to smother weeds.
Why go organic?
There are many reasons why one would support the production of organic food.
Organic food is more nutritious. According to Bio Gro NZ, MSN Encarta and Living Organic, organic foods are higher essential nutrients.
Organic food is considered tastier according to Living Organic. Foods such as tomatoes and citrus fruits are juicier and bananas and meat are more flavorsome.
Organic farming is more animal friendly. Organic live stock are free range and are not treated with growth hormones. Growth hormones may sound okay, but they actually make the animals grow at abnormally fast pace which puts strain on the animals’ heart, lungs and legs (Living Organic).
Organic food is safer for the body and environment. Organic foods are free of artificial pesticides. Artificial pesticides are linked to cancer, immune deficiencies, fertility problems and nerve damage. Organic farming helps preserve water life and keep water clean by reducing the flow of artificial pesticides into waterways. It is also GE free. This is good because GE is thought to have an irreversible and unpredictable effect on the environment (Bio Gro NZ and MSN Encarta)
Cons of going organic
It is suggested that organic farming is less profitable and it requires more labour and management skill (MSN Encarta). Organic food is also expensive (money wise) compared to conventional food. There is less variety and you need to shop around to find what you want. Additionally, organic food has a shorter shelf life because they do not contain artificial preservatives.
According to the book Eco Kiwi by Simon and Jane Cotter, buying organic foods can be problematic. It can be difficult to tell if a product is authentically organic. Additionally, the availability, range and quality of organic foods is limited and they are also expensive. It is also quite time consuming trying to find what you want.
What foods are produced organically?
A lot of food is produced organically, but it is a matter of finding them. You can get some organic foods, such as organic chocolate, cereal and soy milk, eggs, bread, and milk, in supermarkets. You can also get organic food from organic supermarkets, health shops, farmers’ markets, organic butcheries, and flea markets, shared community schemes (box of seasonal produce at a set price). According to the book Living Organic and Eco Kiwi, you can get organic versions of the following food:
Most fruit and vegetables (for example, root vegetables, squash, leafy greens, avocados, apples, bananas, pears and citrus fruit)
Meat (including fish)
Dairy
Eggs
Chocolate
Cereal products
Nuts
Flour
Pasta
Noodles
Juices
Alcoholic beverages
How do we know if a food is genuinely organic?
According to Eco Kiwi, Bio Gro NZ and Living Organic, if a product has IFOAM (International Federation of Organic Agriculture), ISO 65 (the European Union import standard requirement), Bio Gro, Demeter, or AgriCulture certification it is organic.
In conclusion we have learnt that organic food is food that has been produced naturally. Organic crops are grown without artificial fertilizers and pesticides, instead environmentally friendly forms of pest management and fertilization are used. Animals are free range and are not treated with growth hormones. Final products are void of additives. Organic foods are claimed to be more environmentally and animal friendly. They also considered tastier and more nutritious. However, farming organic food requires a lot more management skill and labour. There is quite a few foods that are produced organically – you can tell if they are organic if
Organic food – what is the deal with organic food? Is it really better than conventional food or is it what they want you to think? I’m curious about this, so I thought I would investigate the topic of organic food. So what is organic food and what is involved in the production of organic food? What are the pros and cons of organic food? What foods are produced organically and how do we know if a food is genuinely organic?
What is organic food and organic farming?
According to Wikipedia, Bio Gro NZ, and MSN Encarta, organic food is food that has been produced naturally. That is food that has been grown without the use articial fertilizers, herbicides and pesticides; human waste; genetic modification. Organic food also includes food products from animals have been raised without been dosed without antibiotics and growth hormones. Organic food is processed without food additives and ionizing radiation.
What is involved in organic farming and the production of organic food?
According to MSN Encarta, organic foods are grown without the use of genetically modified seeds. Crops are fertilized with manure and compost which provides nutrients to the soil and encourages beneficial organisms (eg earth worms) into the soil. Crops are treated with pesticides derived from plants, animal waste and minerals, these are much better as they break down quickly into non toxic substances. Crop rotation is also used to help nourish the soil. Crop rotation involves growing one type of plant in the field for a few seasons and then planting a different crop in the same field in the next season.
Organic farming also involves a technique called intercropping. Intercropping is when different crops are planted in alternating bands in order to interrupt the movement of disease causing organisms. This works because many insects only feed on one type of plant. Another pest control technique is to spray plants with bacteria, which kill crop-damaging larvae. Farmers may also grow plants that attract ladybugs and lacewings to get rid of unwanted insects. Mulching is another method of organic pest control. It involves covering soil around crops with straw to smother weeds.
Why go organic?
There are many reasons why one would support the production of organic food.
Organic food is more nutritious. According to Bio Gro NZ, MSN Encarta and Living Organic, organic foods are higher essential nutrients.
Organic food is considered tastier according to Living Organic. Foods such as tomatoes and citrus fruits are juicier and bananas and meat are more flavorsome.
Organic farming is more animal friendly. Organic live stock are free range and are not treated with growth hormones. Growth hormones may sound okay, but they actually make the animals grow at abnormally fast pace which puts strain on the animals’ heart, lungs and legs (Living Organic).
Organic food is safer for the body and environment. Organic foods are free of artificial pesticides. Artificial pesticides are linked to cancer, immune deficiencies, fertility problems and nerve damage. Organic farming helps preserve water life and keep water clean by reducing the flow of artificial pesticides into waterways. It is also GE free. This is good because GE is thought to have an irreversible and unpredictable effect on the environment (Bio Gro NZ and MSN Encarta)
Cons of going organic
It is suggested that organic farming is less profitable and it requires more labour and management skill (MSN Encarta). Organic food is also expensive (money wise) compared to conventional food. There is less variety and you need to shop around to find what you want. Additionally, organic food has a shorter shelf life because they do not contain artificial preservatives.
According to the book Eco Kiwi by Simon and Jane Cotter, buying organic foods can be problematic. It can be difficult to tell if a product is authentically organic. Additionally, the availability, range and quality of organic foods is limited and they are also expensive. It is also quite time consuming trying to find what you want.
What foods are produced organically?
A lot of food is produced organically, but it is a matter of finding them. You can get some organic foods, such as organic chocolate, cereal and soy milk, eggs, bread, and milk, in supermarkets. You can also get organic food from organic supermarkets, health shops, farmers’ markets, organic butcheries, and flea markets, shared community schemes (box of seasonal produce at a set price). According to the book Living Organic and Eco Kiwi, you can get organic versions of the following food:
Most fruit and vegetables (for example, root vegetables, squash, leafy greens, avocados, apples, bananas, pears and citrus fruit)
Meat (including fish)
Dairy
Eggs
Chocolate
Cereal products
Nuts
Flour
Pasta
Noodles
Juices
Alcoholic beverages
How do we know if a food is genuinely organic?
According to Eco Kiwi, Bio Gro NZ and Living Organic, if a product has IFOAM (International Federation of Organic Agriculture), ISO 65 (the European Union import standard requirement), Bio Gro, Demeter, or AgriCulture certification it is organic.
In conclusion we have learnt that organic food is food that has been produced naturally. Organic crops are grown without artificial fertilizers and pesticides, instead environmentally friendly forms of pest management and fertilization are used. Animals are free range and are not treated with growth hormones. Final products are void of additives. Organic foods are claimed to be more environmentally and animal friendly. They also considered tastier and more nutritious. However, farming organic food requires a lot more management skill and labour. There is quite a few foods that are produced organically – you can tell if they are organic if
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