Organic Foods – Necessary or Not?

Organic Foods – Are They Necessary?

Organic is the name for the process in which farmers grow their produce without the use of chemicals such as pesticides.  In meat and poultry, the animals are not injected with antibiotics or growth hormones.  The production and sales of organic foods has become a popular phenomenon since the early 1990s and continues to grow every year at a rate of around 20%.

Farmers that grow organic crops use natural fertilizers such as manure or compost.  Instead of using insecticides to get rid of pests, organic farmers utilize beneficial and birds that eat other insects or pest.  They also use traps to reduce pests which, in turn, will reduce disease.  They till, pull weeds and mulch in order to manage weeds.  Organic farmers also give their animals organic feed.  Rather than keeping them in a cage, they allow them to roam freely.  They feed them a well balanced diet and keep their housing clean.  This helps reduce the risk of them developing disease.

Traditional Farmers, on the other hand, use chemical fertilizers to help plants grow.  They use insecticides to reduce pests and disease.  For weed control, they use chemical herbicides.  Traditional farmers, in order to help animals grow and to prevent disease, gives them antibiotics, growth hormones and other medications.

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has recognized the organic method and has developed a label for the consumer to identify organic produce, dairy and meat products.  Farmers must follow strict regulations to meet the USDA requirements and receive the label.  The product in question must be at least 95% organic to be labeled organic by USDA standards.

Are organic foods a healthier choice?  Thus far, there has been no evidence to indicate that organically grown foods are any safer or more nutritious than its traditionally grown counterparts.  Typically, organic foods and conventional foods look exactly alike.  However, there are times that the organic version would have an odd shape or color or be smaller.  They also may spoil faster because they are not sprayed with preservatives.

Although pesticides are sprayed on conventional foods and avoided on organic foods, experts agree that the pesticide residue left on fruits and vegetables poses very little health risks.  Others disagree, especially when it comes to our children. Others point to the fact that organics are better for the planet as additional reason to eat organic. Organic foods tend to cost more than traditional foods.  Some people claim to be able to taste the difference between organic and non-organic foods.  Others, however, say that they cannot taste the difference.

Choosing between buying traditional or going organic is really a personal choice.  Perhaps you are not a little more informed about the facts and you can make an educated decision.