Genetically modified foods compared to organic foods is a large topic of discussion. People are always debating whether or not genetically modified foods or organic foods are better for people’s health. Organic foods do not contain any growth hormones, antibiotics, or flavorings that were not originally from the food. This also includes fruits, vegetables, nuts, and meats. Organic livestock is the same way. Organic animals must have access to the outdoors and given organic feed. They may not be given antibiotics or growth hormones. Organically grown foods are generally recognized for their nutritional value. These beneficial nutrients include antioxidants, vitamins, minerals, enzymes, and amino acids. The process of preparing foods through cooking, industrial processing, and irradiating all destroy the nutrients in raw organic foods. It would defeat the purpose to buy organic foods and then conventionally cook the food. An everyday example of this would be to buy an organic t-shirt. Yes, there is a such thing as an organic t-shirt. Then proceed to put the t-shirt in a washing machine and apply all sorts of detergents to make it smell better or feel softer. It is quite difficult keeping organic items organic for the reason that if you add anything to that item it is now considered non-organic. But why go organic? What are the health benefits of going organic? Fewer pesticides and heavy metals. Fruits, vegetables and grains labeled organic are grown without the use of
In order for farmers to label their products as USDA Organic they must adhere to the strict standards outlined in the organic certification program of the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The article, “Organic foods: Are they safer? More nutritious?” explains that these standards include how food is “grown, handled and processed”. Rather then using pesticides, organic farmers use methods such as beneficial insects and microorganisms and special disease resistant crop selection to protect their crops. They may use crop rotation and mulch to manage weeds. They do not use or include food additives, fortifying agents or preservatives in their products.
Traits of organic food can also be misconstrued in the sense of the ingredients and how it is different from the way processed food is produced. “In reality, certified organics have lower levels of chemical residue, Roethal argues, which is positive for consumers, farm workers and the land itself, but organic growing practices have no impact on how many nutrients, calories or grams of fat are in anyone's favorite foods”(SFGate). As mentioned previously in the quote, often times organic food can benefits one’s health because of the little amount in which chemicals and calories are in the substance. The concern about organic food is that it is substantially more expensive than non-organic food. However,“Organic food sales are increasing by double digits annually, and more than 80 percent of parents reported buying organic food for their families last year”, according to Batch. With the high-price of organic food, this could also be a reason on why people tend to lean more towards the less healthier items, all because of the low cost. Even though there are different and confusing standards on what organic really is, the ideal description would typically be foods that do not have the same producing process as non-organic food.
A growing number of consumers favor organic foods, claiming that it tastes better and is healthier. Why organic? Organic foods grown naturally in well-balanced soils, ripened by the sun are healthier and tastier than products with synthetic chemicals and growth hormones.
Without worrying about diet, organic foods are a smart choice. Choosing to eat organic foods is a good decision, especially for our health and the planet. Organic foods are free of bad chemicals, and have a lot more nutrients, taste, and give us sustainable energy. Eating all organic is hopeful for generations to come and our future. Eating organic foods is a great way to avoid chemical and poisons that are in commercial food grown. More than six hundred chemicals are active and registered for use in American agriculture today and billions of pounds yearly. The average equates to nearly sixteen
Organic foods are those which are grown without hormones, pesticides, or synthetic fertilizers. Organic farming does have its advantages. It conserves water and soil resources, recycles animal waste, releases fewer chemicals, improves soil fertility, promotes diversity of crops, and protects farm workers, livestock, and wildlife from potentially harmful pesticides (AG). Are organic foods safer than conventional foods though? After all, they do claim to be better for consumers, which is a tactic to be avoided (Pollan). Not only can organic foods be contaminated with bacteria and synthetic pesticides, they are also more expensive than
Long time ago, the idea of organic food was something ridiculous, nobody cared. But after proved the nutritional benefits and better taste of organic food, many farmers become interest in grown organic food. The article Beyond Organic by Eliot Coleman said that “Now that the food-buying public has become enthusiastic about organically grown foods, the food industry wants to take over.”
These foods are grown using fertilizers, herbicides and pesticide use, and may or may not be a genetically altered plant that grows at a rate many times that of a regular plant. The potato is one such example. Because of the fast growing rates and high crop yield due to the use of pesticides and other unnatural components, this allows the firm to sell the plant at low costs to maximize on their marginal cost (the benefit of producing or selling one more unit of output). If a firm in a completely fair competitive market desires to make money, they will sell more units at a lower cost, so long as the number of units doesn't incur a negative marginal cost.
Organic - means food that is grown or produced in certain USDA guidelines. Organic does not mean that food is better and contains more nutrients such as ice cream can be organic and still contains a lot of fat.
Agricultural Secretary Dan Glickman states that organic food is no more wholesome or nutritious than conventional foods (Marcus 1). Although organic food is almost completely free from synthetic chemicals found in synthetic foods, they are no richer in vitamins, antioxidants, and other nutrients. They are not less likely to make a person sick either (Marcus 2). The higher grocery price only buys a person peace of mind, not better nutrition.
Organics buy organically grown food as a way to maintain their personal health and for food safety reasons.
Kip Pester, the author of the In Organic We Trust movie, suggests that people have to use organic food, because it is healthier, and it has more nutrients. It is made in a natural environment, and organic food is without pesticides. Organic food is healthier food; this gives a better health, and gives better quality. Organic foods have more nutrients. His interview and film is effective in convincing people that organic food is better for them. His film information is very good and helpful, but in contrast, he is not a researcher or a scientist.
Many people have heard about organic foods, however, not everyone understands the facts, benefits, or how it is grown. Organic food ingredients are grown without the use of pesticides, synthetic fertilizers, sewage sludge, genetically modified organisms, or ionizing radiation. Animals that produce meat, poultry, eggs, and dairy products do not take antibiotics or growth hormones. In “Organic Food: Healthier for You and the Planet” Collin Dunn discusses organic food using some statistics, pictures, and his personal opinion to better inform people who eat organic foods why it is better to eat and how it is better for the planet. However, Lawrence Robinson, Jeanne Sega, and Robert Segal discuss organic food in:
The history of organic foods is controversial. When consumers hear the term "organic", many expect foods that are treated with fewer or no "bad chemicals", foods that are more nutritious, or "natural", and those that are less processed or may entail closer care and attention to crops and livestock. However, this is a long list of expectations that are difficult to meet, so the question is actually whether or not the certification process and benefits are worth the hassle. When it comes to health, there is no difference between organic and conventional produce. Both offer the same nutrient benefits. While choosing to eat fresh produce is better for your health than processed food, choosing organic does not lead to any additional benefits. This
Organic versus non-organic foods are always being debated to whether they are worth the extra cost. This seems to be an easy question, at first, but begs a more in-depth analysis to come to a conclusion. Organic definitions can vary by government, company and even individuals. Many people have their own ideas of what organic means. My personal definition, before this research assignment, was that organic products were grown with no pesticides, chemical additives, or preservatives and grown in a humane way. Meaning that if it said 100% organic, that is what was meant. This however, is not the case when it comes to the government’s definition of organic, according to T. A. Niewold who wrote, “Organic More Healthy; Green Shoots in a
The word Organic can be defined in multiple ways but what the word basically means that the product is derived from living matter. Organic farming produces organic food. The goal is to encourage soil and water conservation, reduce pollution, and constrain conventional methods to fertilize and control weeds. According to the U.S Food and Drug Administration “The term "organic" is not defined by law or regulations FDA enforces.”