The Definition of Organic Foods Should Be Redefined Essay

“Products with multiple ingredients must contain 95 percent or more organic content.” says, Rachel Cernansky, author of Organic Food Starts to Prove Its Worth. Organic means, that the food has met guidelines set out by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. I think that organic foods are not worthwhile because of nutrition and price.

In ‘What Are You Buying When You Buy Organic Food,’ by Steven Shapin, Steven talks about organic food and what organic food means. Steven states that Earthbound farm, a business in organic food, uses toxic chemical pesticide, synthetic fertilizer, and tractors to farm their products. But is it still organic after all the chemical treatment? Steven also says that organic food cost more and has better tasting. If you don’t want chemical in your food then spend more on organic food. Lastly, Steven had another meaning that knowing the person who farmed the products and are local farmers then that makes food organic. Therefore; I believe that organic foods are from professional business in farms.

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

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.

There are many food groups that can be divided between non-organic and organic foods the two that will be discussed today are meats and vegetables or fruits. Organic meats are any animals that aren't fed modified food. This means that animals such as cows, pigs, and even chickens are given food like grass and hay. This in order to be considered organic the animals must be able to live and walk among outdoors(Robinson, Segal 4). The food for the animals is also treated with natural methods to prevent diseases(Robinson, Segal 4). The main reason that people steer away from organic is the price compared to non-organic is more. In fact, the organic meat can cost more than 70% more than non-organic meats(Marks 14).

The newest and most recent processing of food is homegrown standard processing, which are a group of farmers nationwide without organic certification but must require stricter standards than USDA’s and be inspected. “Homegrown is the first group in the nation to collectively drop organic certification and replace it with their own local organic guarantee,” says Elizabeth Henderson They have their own seal of approval “Homegrown” label which requires them to stay as locally as possible. Next processing type are natural food, which are minimally synthesized or chemically altered with little to no standards in many parts of the world and not USDA labeled. The way conventional food is handled is being able to use almost any and all chemicals and pesticides that are deemed safe by the FDA, as long as it does not show signs of ill effects on the population. In the article “Why organic food may not be healthier for you” it is stated that a new study published in the annals of internal medicine shows very little evidence of there being health benefits from organic food. While some previous studies looking specific organic food shows that may have higher level of nutrients like minerals and vitamins. Like in one experiment tested from ambitious experiment,” which is supposed to go on for a hundred

Organic foods are defined as products “generally grown without synthetic pesticides or fertilizers and without the routine use of antibiotics or growth hormones” (Brandt). Health conscious consumers have driven up the demand for organically grown foods from a $3.6 billion industry in 1997 to over $24.4 billion in 2011. According to Consumer Reports, organic foods can cost anywhere from 47% more in price to 300% in some

In order to be certified USDA organic, the product or produce has to contain at least 95 percent organic ingredients. If an item is said to be made with organic ingredients, they must be at least 70 percent organic. Organic food has to be produced and processed according to strict USDA standards and be inspected to be certified.

| Organic food is differing from conventional food in many ways. Organic food use manure and composting to enriched the soils. Also, the uses of pesticides or herbicides are forbidden. In order to preserve the soil, organic farmer’s use crop rotation, hand weeds and mulches. More than that, they do not inject any hormones to their animals, but to let their animals live naturally by letting them roaming around. All this reasons why organic is much more expensive than conventional food. This is because, farmers need to spend a lot of expenditures in buying compost, transportation fees, and also labor force.

Organic Agriculture, as defined by the National Organic Standards Board (NOSB): “Is an ecological production management system that promotes and enhances biodiversity, biological cycles and soil biological activity. It is based on minimal use of off-farm inputs and on management practices that restore, maintain, and enhance ecological harmony.” Which is very fancily put for agriculture with as little man made input as possible trying to farm, as they perceive at least, the most beneficial to the environment in the agricultural setting. To do this, all uses of pesticides, herbicides, chemical nutrients, genetically modified seed, and the list goes on and on. The producer relies more heavily upon the application of manure and in most cases is forced into higher tillage to control weed pests. Although there is some other natural pest control methods, but the choices are pretty limited. Organic production’s man principle is to return organic matter back to the soil, as well as fetch premium market prices for their production. As for the history of the term “organic” and its association with agriculture as far as anyone can tell, at least in this country was around the 1940’s.( Gegner, L, & Kuepper, G, 2004) Until 1962 Organic Agriculture really wasn’t something the general population knew about or even cared, but in 1962 Rachel Carson’s Silent spring came into print. The publication was a graphic statement about the harms of pesticides on the environment. This one book had a

Regulation is handled by the United States Department of Agriculture knows as the USDA. The USDA determines what can be labeled or defined as Organic. The USDA National Organic Program (NOP) defines organic as follows: Organic food is produced by farmers who emphasize the use of renewable resources and the conservation of soil and water to enhance environmental quality for future generations. Organic meat, poultry, eggs, and dairy products come from animals that are given no antibiotics or growth hormones. Organic food is produced without using most conventional pesticides; fertilizers made with synthetic ingredients or sewage sludge; bioengineering; or ionizing radiation. Before a product can be labeled "organic," a Government-approved certifier inspects the farm where the food is

Organic food is becoming a more popular and growing industry. Many people believe it has greater health benefits to offer and is better for the environment. However, the label "organic" does not necessarily mean that it is healthier than its non-organic counterpart. Organic food is only marginally healthier, and costs much more. Therefore, organic is not worth what it is hyped up to be.

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.

Healthy seeds are selected and used in Organic farming, seeds that are genetically altered are not used. As far as livestock are concerned: they are given a proper diet, and adequate exposure to the outdoors. Good animal treatment standards or husbandry as they call it are maintained in organic farming. No antibiotics are used on animals, but homeopathic medicine is used, just in case an animal gets sick. If a farmer gives antibiotics to an animal, he loses his certificate for organic farming and he has to start all over and earn his certificate again. Growth hormones are also not used in organic animal husbandry.

The department of the United States government that is responsible for programming anything related to food, agriculture and nutrition (USDA) defines organic as “food produced by farmers who emphasize the use of renewable resources and the conservation of soil and water to enhance environmental quality for future generations.