As consumers, we see the label “organic” in most supermarkets that we shop at every day, but do we know what makes certain food items obtain the label organic? There is much controversy on the topic organic foods and for good reason. There are many factors to take into account when decided if organic food is superior to conventionally grown foods. There are key components that all amount to how nutritious your food is. It all comes down to the quality of the land that the food is grown on, the farming technique, the elimination of toxic chemicals, and the increase in certain beneficial vitamins. The only downside to being pro-organic food is the slightly increased price tag. Despite the increased cost, organic foods are a healthier choice compared to conventional chemical ridden foods.
In the United States, organic food has become so popular people don't have to grow their own food or even find a farmers market to be able to obtain organic food. You can typically find it in supermarkets everywhere. Organic farming has been around for quite some time; it first became popular during the 1940s. Throughout the decades, people gained more knowledge on the benefits of farming and eating organic. George Kuepper, a sustainable agriculture specialist, notes, . . . “while one can’t say that the 60’s counterculture invented organic farming, it is fair to say that it created the organic industry” (9). During this time period, there was more information available about the dangers of
It has been argued that organic are worthwhile because of nutrition. In paragraph 21, David Lazarus, stated, “What you’re paying for, presumably, is a more healthful diet. That means produce that hasn’t been drenched in pesticides, chicken and beef that hasn’t been pumped full of antibiotics, milk with even more nutritional value.” However, organic food is not worthwhile because of nutrition. “A 2012 study found no real difference between organic and conventional food in terms of nutrition. Its findings appeared in the Annals of Internal Medicine”(Cernansky 6). This quote shows that there is no difference between organic and conventional food. If there is no difference between the food then why change the
Organic foods are no longer only found in health food stores; they have become a mainstay in our supermarkets. Today’s consumers are faced with the decision of whether or not it is worth the cost to buy organic. To determine the answer to this question one will need to determine if it has been scientifically determined that consumption organic food products are more beneficial to one’s health.
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.
Over the last few years, awareness of organic food has risen. Due to this, the demand for organic food is a factor which is influencing the farmers to switch to use this technique, and it is being sold in specialty stores and conventional supermarkets. Organic products contain numerous marketing claims that it is healthier, it offers more value, and the farming is more environmentally friendly than traditional foods, so, how does one determine if organic is the way to go? Some argue that there is evidence that supports and demonstrates why organic foods and farming are better overall, while others insist that conventional foods and agriculture can offer the same benefits as going organic. There is no right or wrong answer. Within this
While the designation of foods produced without the use of agrichemicals as organic began in the 1950s, only recently has consumer interest in purchasing organic foods increased. As more and more companies market products to these consumers, some have begun to wonder about the advantages of eating these foods. Deborah Rich argues, “One of the major benefits of organic foods is their increased nutrient content” (Rich 1). Rich cites multiple studies showing that organically grown foods contain higher levels of important nutrients than conventionally grown foods. The low nutritional content of conventionally grown foods that most Americans consume, Rich suggests, has resulted in grave consequences for the nation, including higher rates of chronic disease, nutrient deficiencies, and overeating.
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.
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 farming began in the late 1940’s in the United States, and in recent years it has seen a dramatic increase in popularity (Rubin 1). The sales of organic food have been increasing by about 20 percent a year over the past decade (Marcus 1). That is over ten times the rate of their conventional counterparts (Harris 1). There are 10 million consumers of organic food in the United States, yet organic food represents only one percent of the nation’s food supply. This year organic food sales are expected to rise to six billion dollars (Rubin 1). So what is organic food? Organic food is that which are grown without hormones, pesticides, or synthetic fertilizers. Also, the soil in which organic food
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
The cost, productivity, time, skill, and spoilage of the food play a major part on the decision of buying organic foods. The biggest disadvantage to organic food is that it’s so expensive. “Anything that makes fruits and vegetables more expensive may increase cancer.”(blogactive 1) The USDA organic certification and labeling have very strict rules therefore it makes growing organic crops harder. The USDA method is very different than conventional industry farming methods. The increase in popularity in organic foods makes bigger farms and we will use a lot more fossil fuels and other resources. Another reason some families don't want organic food besides the fact it’s expensive, is it spoils faster. In the USDA no preservatives are a requirement therefore organic food spoils faster. This can cause a problem for consumers and in stores because the food is usually transported a significant distance. If the cost of organic products became less expensive people would realize organic is better. Therefore the popularity will grow and there will be a higher demand. The price will lower making organic food affordable and the productivity will
Organic means a compounds or food substances that contain carbon or another meaning is that it’s product are grown without the use of pesticides, synthetic fertilizers, sewage sludge, genetically modified organisms, or ionization radiation. The scientist believes that it’s can be misleading because the producer or retailer take the opportunity to use the organic label on anything to raise the prices of their product. The organic certification is a certification process for producers of organic food and other organic agricultural products such as seed suppliers, farmers, food Processors, and etc. Before 1990, the certified organic food label is can be very misleading because it’s not been proved to be safer or nutritious as the regular food, but the prices are double of that cost. In 1990, the U.S. Organic Foods Production Act that direct the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture to establish certification standards and any seal or claim that is not meet the standard requirement, the company can be fines of 10000 per violent. There is not enough scientific nor strong evidence to prove that organic is safe or reduce exposure to pesticides and antibiotic-resistant bacteria than regular food. Organic food is about 30 percent less contamination of chemical than regular food and this it still below the government safety tolerance. However, it’s difficult to point out and using precautions and educated yourself when chose your food, will able to minimize consumer from fraud. Organic food is more nutritious than conventional because have a lower risk of harmful substance or chemical add to the food like pesticides and have higher essential nutrition like mineral and vitamins and fewer nitrates. I would purchase organic food because it a natural food growth, more nutritious, and probability safer to eat than the conventional food. However, between prices, I would still prefer the conventional one because is something that I can afford it. I also would choose conventional food
Organic farming is becoming an increasingly popular market throughout the world. (Adam, 2004, p. 666). The aims of organic farming are, to decrease pollution, maintain soil fertility and biodiversity, be more sustainable, and have increased nutritional benefits than conventionally grown foods (Yaping et. al., 2003, p. 298). While the aim of conventional farming is to provide safe, proficient supplies of food, in abundance and at low prices (Trewavas, 2001, p.409). Since 1996, the amount of land in the UK dedicated to organic farming has risen tenfold (Adam, 2004, p. 666). As well, from 1992 to 1997, the amount of certified organic cropland in the US more than doubled (Tafel et al, 2007, p.182 ). The main difference between organic and
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
Although organic foods are found in nearly every grocery store, the average person is unable to differentiate between organic and non-organic food products. Many consumers purchase organic products in the hopes of gaining positive health benefits. (Chhabra, Kolli, et al “Organically Grown Food Provides”) “The current demand for organic foods outstrips the domestic supply, causing retailers in the United States to import $2 billion worth of organic foods annually.” (Crandall, Seideman, et al. ”Organic poultry: Consumer perceptions”) In this paper, I want to define what it means for food to be organically produced, while also exploring the requirements necessary to deem a product ‘Organic”.