Certified Organic, what does that mean?

As of October 21, 2002, when one purchases a food product with the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) “Certified Organic” stamp of approval on it, it means that this particular item is made or processed without the use of synthetic pesticides, herbicides, insecticides, hormones and antibiotics. The National Organic Rule indicates that all “organic” labeled foods must be 95% free of the above-listed items. Many people believe that the use of these products are poisons and are contributing to the increase in cancer and other diseases that effect many Americans today. It is interesting to note that the cancer rates (particularly breast cancer in women) are higher here in the western cultures than that of the eastern such as China and Europe. Many people blame the typical American diet of cheeseburgers and french fries. However, that is a topic of another paper altogether.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) absolutely makes it known that there is no supporting research to indicate that non-organic foods are harmful to one’s health. However, the increase in organic foods and the demand for them is very significant. Due to the increase in the demand for these products, farmers must increase their crop as well as their land size. Organically grown crops are safe for the farm workers, the environment and the people who choose to buy and consume their products. The organic produce is grown in soil in which living microbes remain in order to break down the organic material so that the plant or tree retains all natural nutrients to survive and bear a natural and quality crop. The flavor the organically grown product has is also better than that of a non-organic vegetable or fruit. Obviously one would pay significantly more for the organic produce, however the saying remains true that one actually gets what they pay for!
Organically raised livestock must be fed only organic grain and free of any antibiotics or hormones. They must also be able to breathe fresh outdoor air. The rule for chickens is that two days following a chick’s birth the chick must be placed in an organic environment and any sick animal that must be treated with antibiotics is not considered organic anymore. It is interesting to note that to date there are no (at least not in my area) organically raised fish. I believe that introduction of such a product would be absolutely in great demand by the organic market (the people who buy organic food.)
Personally I prefer to buy organic foods over non-organics. I’ve been purchasing organic foods for approximately five years now and I definitely taste a difference. I also prefer organic mean over non because the organic meats do not contain sodium nitrate, which I have just recently found out is a highly addictive toxin that causes endometriosis as well as other health concerns. The other organic product that I buy religiously is organic cereal. Recently, Kellogg’s has jumped on the organic “band wagon” by coming out with organic Rice Krispies, Frosted Mini Wheat, and Raisin Bran. I actually know someone who worked on a wheat farm when they were young and he is only in his 50’s and he has less than 20% of his lungs because of all the pesticide he has inhaled! Due to this and many other reasons I will continue to buy organic products.





REFERENCES
1. Newsweek Magazine: September 30, 2002, Cowley, Geoffrey “Certified Organic.”
2. http://www.mofga.org/tabid/166/Default.aspx
3. http://www.ams.usda.gov/nop/consumers/brochure.html
4. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Organic_certification