Organic food is big business. Thousands have turned to organic food as the answer to almost all of the problems in the current food industry. Some critics say it’s not all good business, though. They cite some specific disadvantages organic food production has.
Critics say one disadvantages organic food production has is that it is not as productive as food grown by modern methods. All foods were grown organically until the past couple of centuries. Modern, chemically assisted growing methods dramatically increased food production. Critics say organic farming cannot produce as much food per acre as newer farming methods. Another disadvantages organic food production has is that, although people assume it is safe, organic food may be contaminated with toxins. Some critics contend that not all organic soil additives and pest controls are non-toxic, and that toxic residues may remain on the food. This can result in serious consequences for those who eat organic foods on a regular basis.
It’s a major disadvantage that most organic food has a shorter shelf life than non-organic food products. Preservatives are not used on processing organic food,so it spoils more quickly. This is a disadvantage for both consumers and stores, as it can be quite costly in the end.
One more disadvantages organic food production has is its cost. Less food is produced per acre, and the food doesn’t keep as well, so it is more costly to grow and produce organic food. Those added costs are passed on to the consumer. For that reason, it is a disadvantage of organic food that poor people cannot afford it.
Organic food has many disadvantages. We must continue to do research and improve our ability to grow and produce affordable organic food so that the disadvantages of organic food don’t outweigh the advantages.
Sometimes it can be hard when shopping to know which fruits and vegetables are organic, especially if you are not quite sure what to look for.
So, what symbols are used for organic food that you should seek out when shopping? Since there are not a lot of larger companies out there that advertise organic foods, it can sometimes be hard to find them when you are out on your daily grocery run.
The only main government label comes from the USDA, since they are the branch that handles all food related issues, problems, patents, and such. Since organic foods are not processed with the same products that other foods are, they have stricter regulations that have to be followed in order to meet the USDA standards for organic foods.
If you are at a larger supermarket, you can always look for the USDA seal for organic foods. This symbol is a half green and half white circle that is encompassed by a larger maroon circle with the words “USDA ORGANIC” printed inside them. The label itself is very easy to spot, and should be marked on the front of the package.
If you are at a farmer’s market, you can ask the person behind the counter which foods are organic, probably most of them, or you can look over each package to see the farmer’s symbols or trademark labels. While shopping, if you find one organic brand that you like, memorize the symbol so you will be able to spot it easier on your next vists.
There are many different local organic farms around the country, which will allow you to go and pick your own veggies and fruits. These places will not have specific symbols on the foods, but they will have a logo or symbol that you can watch for on their bags and signs. This will help you to identify in the future anything that you see at a farmer’s market as their product.
Since it is sometimes hard to know what symbols are used for organic food, you can always ask the salesperson to help you find which foods are organic. Sometimes this is the best way to know which symbols are used for organic foods, since you have an “expert” showing you which foods are and aren’t organic.
Are Organic Foods Healthier Than Conventional Foods?
You’ve heard the debate for years on organic versus processed foods. So, which ones are better? I mean, are organic foods healthier than conventional foods, or are we wasting our time seeking out the ones that are organic?
Well, since there have not been any major studies on organic versus conventional, the USDA mostly leaves it up to the consumer to make their own decision. So, you will need to do your research on each, conventional and organic, to see which one you feel more comfortable with.
Organic foods are not processed at any step of the way. They also do not use any kind of pesticide on the foods to keep away any parasites or bugs that might like the food as much as we do. This can be a plus and a minus, depending on how you look at it. While pesticides can cause harm over time to people and the environment, it takes a lot to really cause problems to people. But, a product without pesticides can also have their own problems, without anything keeping bugs and fungus off the foods, you are at risk for problems here as well.
Also, organic foods do not impact the environment like conventional foods do, because there are no factories, pesticides, or preservatives that are added to the food, so there is no waste to push onto the environment. But, this is also a double-edged sword. Conventional foods, while processed in factories and loaded with preservatives, will also not have any risk of fungus or other problems that organic foods might.
Some argue that organic foods just taste better. But, to those of us who have always eaten processed foods, would we really think that they are better, or just different? That, again, is up to the individual consumer to decide.
So, when asking are organic foods healthier than conventional foods, it really comes down to personal choice and feelings on the subject. Do your homework to become better informed about each side and decide which one is right for you and your family
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