In an attempt to improve their lifestyles, many consumers are paying closer attention to what they eat. One of the most popular ways to do so is by going organic. Although organic foods are marketed to be healthier yet more expensive, the sales are skyrocketing and it’s filling up the country’s shopping carts!
But what does it really mean to eat organic? Are foods labeled natural the same as being organic? Can eating organic foods really make you healthier?
What You Need To Know:
- Organic foods are produced without the use of synthetics including pesticides, fertilizers, genetically modified organisms (GMO), sewage sludge, or ionizing radiation.
- Organically grown livestock are meats, poultries, eggs, and dairy products that did not take any antibiotics or growth hormones.
- The USDA regulates the labeling of organic foods. They are categorized as 100% organic, organic, “made with” organic, or with organic ingredients. To know if you are buying organic, look for the USDA organic seal on the packaging.
- Organic foods are environmental-friendly due to its sustainable and conservative farming practices. It may also provide health benefits like increased nutrients and lower levels of pesticides and bacteria.
- Although organic foods have promising positive effects on nutrition and food safety, many experts believe that there still enough evidence to say it is significantly healthier and safer than their conventional counterparts.
Origins of the Movement
It all began the 1940s when farmers started introducing synthetic pesticides in their agriculture. Gradually, over the years, consumers became more aware of the effects of using these chemical compounds in large-scale farming. People wanted food that was free from toxic and environmental contaminants, thus giving birth to the rise of organic foods.
The movement for organic foods really started in the 1970s, when people advocated against unhealthy farming practices and commercialized agriculture. Organic produce was marketed to be healthier since it is toxic-free and naturally grown. Today, organic foods are well-accepted and largely available in the US and global markets.
What Does It Really Mean?
According to the USDA National Organic Program, the word “organic” means:
“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. It 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 grown to make sure the farmer is following all the rules necessary to meet USDA organic standards. Companies that handle or process organic food before it gets to your local supermarket or restaurant must be certified, too.”
To put simply, organic foods and ingredients are those that are produced WITHOUT the use of synthetics including pesticides, fertilizers, genetically modified organisms (GMO), sewage sludge, or ionizing radiation. In animals, this also includes meats, poultries, eggs, and dairy products that did not take any antibiotics or growth hormones.
What Does It Mean To Do Organic Farming?
Organic farming involves much more than eliminating chemical substances to grow crops and raise animals. It’s a holistic system that is designed to optimize agriculture productivity, including soil organism, plants, livestock, and people. According to organic standards, genetically engineering and animal cloning, synthetic fertilizers, sewage sludge, synthetic drugs, synthetic food processing, and ionizing radiation are prohibited in the farming process.
Farming organically can have different types of challenges as some crops may be more difficult to grow under these conditions. Despite this, many farmers continue organic farming and find it to be more profitable and rewarding. Organic farming avoids the intensive manufacturing processes that run on pollutants like fossil fuels that many of the commercially used farm chemicals actually require. Organic produce is also becoming more appealing and popular, thus increasing the farmer’s sales.
Labeling of Organic Foods
According to the USDA, “Organic” is a labeling term that indicates that the food or other agricultural product has gone through approved cultural, and mechanical methods which foster cycling of resources, promotes ecological balance and conserves biodiversity.
Certified organic foods are labeled with the USDA organic seal that looks like this:
Source: https://www.ams.usda.gov/rules-regulations/organic/organic-seal
The USDA also enforces strict production and labeling requirements. Organic products must follow these specific requirements:
- Produced without excluded methods (e.g., genetic engineering), ionizing radiation, or sewage sludge
- Produced per the National List of Allowed and Prohibited Substances (National List)
- Overseen by a USDA – authorized the certifying agent, following all USDA organic regulations
Can products be labeled “organic” without being certified?
Organic products or those made with organic ingredients MUST be certified to be labeled organic. There is a variety of certifying agents that will review and approve the products to make sure that they are complying with the requirements. Here are the criteria to be met:
- 100 Percent Organic
- All ingredients must be certified organic
- Any processing aids must be organic
- Organic
- All agriculture ingredients must be certified organic, except where specified on the National List
- Non-organic ingredients allowed per National List may be used, up to a combined total of five percent of non-organic content
- “Made with” Organic
- At least 70% of the product must be certified organic ingredients (excluding salt and water)
- Non-organic ingredients allowed on the National List
- Organic Ingredients
- Products with less than 70% organic ingredients may list organically produced ingredients on the side panel of the package, but may not make any organic claims on the front of the package.
Natural or Organic: What Do The Other Labels Mean?
If you’re looking at food labels to check out what’s healthier, you might find yourself confused with the different labeling terms. These are the official definitions for voluntary labels of other products:
- Natural – As required by the USDA, meat, poultry, and egg products labeled as “natural” must be minimally processed and contain no artificial ingredients. However, the natural label does not include any standards regarding farm practices and only applies to the processing of meat and egg products. There are no standards or regulations for the labeling of natural food products if they do not contain meat or eggs.
What’s the difference between Organic vs Natural?
Organic foods are produced, manufactured and handled in ways that meet the USDA organic standards. Natural food, on the other hand, is generally processed in a manner that does not fundamentally alter the product.
- Grass-fed – Grass-fed animals receive a majority of their nutrients from grass throughout their life, while organic animal’s pasture diet may be supplemented with grain. The “grass-fed” label does not limit the use of antibiotics, hormones, or pesticides.
- Humane – Multiple labeling programs make claims that animals were treated humanely during the production cycle, but the verification of these claims vary widely. These labeling programs are also not regulated.
- Free-range – This label indicates that the poultry flock was provided shelter in a building, room, or area with unlimited access to food, fresh water, and continuous access to the outdoors during their production cycle. This is a regulated label by the USDA
- Cage-free – This label indicates the poultry flock was able to freely roam a building, room, or enclosed area with unlimited access to food and fresh water during their production cycle.
Benefits of Going Organic
These foods are thriving for a reason. For one, it’s a more sustainable type of farming which emphasizes conservation and reduces pollutants. And though many of its consumer purchase organic foods because it’s good for the environment, more people buy it because they believe it can be beneficial to their health. There is a growing amount of evidence that show some potential health benefits of organic foods, which include:
- They may be higher in nutrients than their counterparts. According to some studies, organic foods might be relatively higher in certain nutrients like phosphorus, vitamin C, and phytochemicals.
- Organic livestock farming may have higher levels of omega-3 fatty acids. The feeds used in organically farming livestock like grass or alfalfa may bring higher levels of omega 3-fatty acids in the meats, dairy, and eggs. Omega-3 fatty acids are heart healthy fat-compounds that can lower cholesterol levels.
- Organic products have low pesticide residue. Due to its thorough processing, organic products have lower levels of pesticides compared to those that are conventionally grown.
- Organic meats may contain lesser antibiotic-bacteria. It was reported that organically-grown chicken and pork have a third fewer bacteria than those raised conventionally.
But Are They Really That Much Healthier?
Experts in health and nutrition have been debating on whether organic foods are really more nutritious and safe than their counterparts. In fact, countless studies have been conducted on this controversy alone.
However, according to the systematic report published by the Food Standards Agency, organic foods may have comparative nutritional benefits, but the difference is insignificant to say that it is much better than the non-organic equivalents. In addition, the Annals of Internal Medicine agreed with the British review claiming that nutritionally-speaking, organic foods have little to offer.
In Summary…
Organic foods and ingredients are those that are produced without the use of synthetics including pesticides, fertilizers, genetically modified organisms (GMO), sewage sludge, or ionizing radiation. In livestock, this indicates meats, poultries, eggs, and dairy products that did not take any antibiotics or growth hormones.
The USDA regulates the labeling of such foods. They are classified as 100% organic, organic, “made with” organic, or with organic ingredients.
Consuming organic foods can have a potential benefit. For one, the sustainable and conservative farming methods of organic foods can bring about positive effects on the environment. In terms of nutrition, they may be higher in certain nutrients or have lower levels of pesticides or bacteria. However, despite these, many experts believe that the difference between organic and conventional foods is negligible, and thus it isn’t significantly healthier or safer.
