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These regulations include:
Prohibiting the use of chemical fertilizers, various synthetic substances, irradiation, sewage sludge, or genetically modified organisms(GMO) in organic production.
Prohibit antibiotic and synthetic hormone use in organic meat and poultry.
Require 100% organic feed for organic livestock.
When the product is labeled "100% organic," "organic," or just "made with organic ingredients," then even the non-organic ingredients cannot be produced from GMOs. For example, products labeled as "made with organic ingredients" only require 70% of the ingredients to be organic, but 100% must be non-GMO.
What are Genetically Modified Organisms(GMO)? Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) or genetically engineered (GE) foods are plants or animals whose DNA has been altered. These products have undergone only short-term testing to determine their effects on humans and the environment. In most countries, organic products do not intentionally contain GMOs. Although the U.S. does not require GM or GE foods to be labeled, You can still find out whether or not your produce is genetically engineered by looking at its PLU (price lookup) code on the sticky label added to grocery store produce:
- Conventionally grown has a 4-digit code : E.g. apple:4011
- Organically grown has a 5-digit code starting with #9: E.g. banana 94011
- Genetically Modified has a 5-digit code starting with #8: E.g. orange 84011
Organic food is often fresher and tastes better because it doesn't contain preservatives to make it last longer. Organic farming is better for the environment as it reduces pollution, conserves water, reduces soil erosion, increases soil fertility, and uses less energy. Farming without pesticides are also better for birds as well as the people who harvest the food. Organically raised animals are not given antibiotics, growth hormones, or fed animal byproducts.
You may have heard the term "farm to table". What is local food? Unlike organic standards there really is no specific definition. Local food means food grown close to home. Maybe its from your garden, your local community garden, your state, region, or country. Food found at Farmer's markets. Some of the benefits of Locally grown food are firstly financial. More money stays within the community and strengthens the local economy. More money goes to the farmer instead of to things like marketing and distribution. Local food is the freshest food you can purchase. Fruits and vegetables are harvested when they are ripe and thus full of flavor.
Small local farmers often use organic methods but sometimes cannot afford to become certified organic. Visit a farmer's market and talk with the farmers. Get involved with your food. Find out how they produce the fruits and vegetables they sell.
There are fruits and vegetables where the organic label matters the most. According to the Environmental Working Group, a nonprofit organization that analyzes the results of government pesticide testing in the U.S., the following 14 fruits and vegetables have the highest levels of pesticide levels on average. Its best to buy theses organic: Apples, sweet bell peppers, cucumbers, celery, potatoes, grapes, cherry tomatoes, Kale/Collard greens, summer squash, nectarines(imported), peaches, spinach, strawberries, and hot peppers.
When it comes to washing, it does reduce, but it doesn't eliminate pesticides. Peeling helps, but valuable nutrients often go down the drain with the removal of the skin. The best approach is eat a varied diet, wash and scrub all produce thoroughly, and buy organic when possible.
Source: Environmental Working Group
When it comes to organic meat and dairy farming products in the U.S. the animals are fed organic feed and allowed access to the outdoors, as opposed to the livestock given growth hormones, antibiotics, and other medications. What's in American meat you ask? Its helpful to understand what the U.S. government allows in feed or to be used in conventional production of meat:
- dairy cows-antibiotics, pig and chicken byproducts, hormones for growth, pesticides, sewage sludge
- beef cows-antibiotics, pig and chicken byproducts, steroids, hormones, pesticides, sewage sludge
- pigs-antibiotics, animal byproducts, pesticides, sewage sludge, arsenic-based drugs(growth hormones are prohibited)
- broiler chickens-antibiotics, animal byproducts, pesticides, sewage sludge, arsenic-based drugs(growth hormones are prohibited)
- Egg laying hens-anitibiotics, animal byproducts, pesticides, sewage sludge, arsenic-based drugs
- 100% Organic- Foods that are completely organic or made with 100% organic ingredients- may display the USDA seal.
- Organic- Foods that contain at least 95% organic ingredients and may display the USDA seal.
- Made with organic ingredients- Foods that contain at least 70% organic ingredients will not display the USDA seal but may list specific organic ingredients on the front of the package.
- Contains organic ingredients-Foods that contain less than 70% organic ingredients will not display the USDA seal but may list specific organic ingredients on the information panel of the package.
Why is organic food more expensive? I can't afford to buy organic? Organic food is more expensive since the farmers don't use pesticides, chemical fertilizers, or drugs. The organic feed for animals can cost twice as much. The organic farms tend to be smaller than conventional farms, which means fixed costs and overhead must be distributed across smaller produce volumes. Most organic farms are too small to receive government subsidies.
I would suggest purchase the organic versions of the foods you eat the most and stay within your budget. Shop at Farmers Markets. Join a food co-op. Buy in season when fruits and vegetables are freshest and cheapest. Compare prices of organic to other grocery stores. We are what we eat. Eating chemical free and hormone free food will benefit the body in the long run. The more we eat and purchase Organic food the more the price will drop. We must get involved and get informed. This may be the most important act to preserve our freedom to eat and put what we want into our bodies. I know we will be triumphant.