What Are Organic Foods? What are The Benefits? And How to Identify? 

Organic Foods and How to identify:

More and more, we are told of the benefits of eating organic food as opposed to chemically altered GM food. While some researches show that there is little or no difference in the health content of genetically modified food and organic food. We all know for a fact this is not the whole truth. organic foods

Organic food is becoming more and more popular, Some people claim that organic foods taste better than ordinary food…  so what are organic foods? Is it really healthier and tastier?

What Exactly is Organic?

Organic fruits, vegetables, grains, meat, dairy products, and even non-food items are grown according to stringent regulations set out by the USDA.

They must be:

• Produced without any chemical pesticides, fungicides, or herbicides.
• Grown using organic farming techniques and without using any hormones or antibiotics.

How to Identify Organic Foods?

• Organic crops: mean the foods are grown in safe soil, without any additives or alterations.
• Organic livestock: means that the meats you eat have been fed organically and have had lived naturally.

 

While many foods are deemed “organic,” only those which meet the above criteria are stamped with the USDA approval for organic. In stores, you can be assured that foods with the USDA Organic sticker are at least ninety percent organic.

There’s Really No Way

to tell the difference between organic food and conventional food we are forced to rely on the people selling us the food to be truthful. However, there is hope in the form of labeling which tells us which foods are organic and which foods aren’t.

In The USA,

• The USDA requires farms that are organic to follow a strict set of guidelines to be certified as organic.
• There’re private organic farmers associations that have their own brand of certification as well.
• And the common factor among all of these is the fact that besides the certification, they also have seals with which they stamp foods and food products.

I. Labeling And Ingredients Profile:

When it comes to the identification of organic food versus non-organic food, one of the easiest methods is of “labeling” or ingredients’ profile. So,

• A. If you don’t feel too comfortable about going over to your nearest farmers market to get your organic produce, you can always check out the labels in your grocery store.
• B. Any of the foods deemed organic in the store carry one of the many organic certified seals and labels you can be assured that it has been organically produced.

And, 

• C. You might believe the product you’re getting is fully 100% organic guaranteed, you might want to check again on what the label says to get the real story.
• D. If you take packaged organic foods, the labeling would consist of not only the seal stating that it is made from organic produce but also a few keywords that will tell you exactly how many organic foods are in the package, if only you know how to understand what they are telling you.

II. Labeling For Organic Foods Could go Something Along The lines of:

• 100% Organic – this food definitely has only 100% of organic foods.
• Organic – this food contains over 95% of organic products.
• Made with organic products – this product contains at least a minimum of 70% of organic products (no seal is allowed on these types of food products)
• And when you go below the 70% mark of included-organic products for any packaged foods, you definitely not find either labeling or a seal stating that the food you’re buying is organic.

 

III. Types of Labeling:

Another thing that you will want to look out for is other types of labeling which might lead you to believe that what you’re buying is organically grown food. Most of these labels are there not to tell you that what you’re getting is organic, but that what you’re getting is “natural” or a “health food” or something along those lines.

What is a GMO?

Genetically modified organisms (GMOs) are living organisms whose genetic material has been artificially manipulated in a laboratory through genetic engineering. This creates combinations of plant, animal, bacteria, and virus genes that do not occur in nature or through traditional crossbreeding methods.

Most GMOs,

have been engineered to withstand the direct application of herbicide and/or to produce an insecticide. However, new technologies are now being used to artificially develop other traits in plants, such as a resistance to browning in apples, and to create new organisms using synthetic biology. Despite biotech industry promises, there is no evidence that any of the GMOs currently on the market offer increased yield, drought tolerance, enhanced nutrition, or any other consumer benefit.

GMOs in the Food You Eat:

GMOs have become extremely popular in the foods that many of us eat every day. In fact, estimates suggest that upwards of 80 percent of all U.S. processed foods contain GMOs. The U.S. Federal Drug Administration (FDA) has declared GMO foods to be safe for consumption, despite many arguments concerning the health risks associated with GMO foods.

Sixty other developed countries consider GMO foods to be unsafe and unhealthy. Australia, Japan, and the European Union have placed important restrictions and bans on the manufacture and sale of GMO foods.

The FDA has not regulated the labeling for GMO foods, however, there are thousands of products labeled “Non-GMO” to assist consumers. This is part of the Non-GMO project developed to help people avoid products that have been genetically engineered or modified.

There has been a long debate over GMO foods and certain health risks associated.

Regardless of the health concerns, consuming these foods is a personal choice. Some people have begun to actively avoid eating foods produced in this manner, taking on what could be described as a non-GMO lifestyle.

Which foods are genetically modified?

Most corn, soybeans, canola, cotton, and sugar beets are GMO. From these crops, products such as corn oil, canola oil, cottonseed oil, high fructose corn syrup, and many more are created and added to processed foods. This is why nearly 80% of processed and most fast foods contain GMOs.

Other crops that are genetically engineered include Hawaiian papaya, a small amount of zucchini and yellow squash, and alfalfa. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is also considering approving GMO salmon, which would grow much larger and faster than regular salmon.

Are they safe?

Despite what the agricultural industry might say, there is little research on the long-term effects of GMOs on human health and the environment. The FDA has allowed GMOs into our food supply with only the research and assurances of safety from the biotech companies that create them.

• Independent research has found that several varieties of GMO corn caused organ damage in rats.
• Other studies have found that animals were losing their ability to reproduce.
• There are also concerns that GMOs can increase allergies or cause immune system problems.

 

One of the most straightforward ways to cut down on the amount of genetically modified foods that you are consuming is to reduce the number of processed foods you eat. This is often easier if you do more of your own food preparation since it can be harder to know about the origins of the ingredients in the foods you eat when you are dining out in restaurants.

 

Ways to avoid genetically modified food:

It has been estimated that upwards of 75% of processed foods on supermarket shelves – from soda to soup, crackers to condiments, contain genetically engineered ingredients. As a consumer you can avoid GM food in several ways:

• Buy foods labeled “100% Organic.”
• Buy whole, fresh foods rather than processed ones.
• Know which foods and the products that are made from them are most likely to have been the result of genetic engineering. For example:
  • Corn.
  • Soybeans.
  • Canola or Rapeseed.
  • Cottonseed oil.
  • Dairy.
  • Sugar beets.
• Avoid aspartame as a sweetener.
• Buy 100% fruit juices.
• Ensure your product is not genetically modified by reading the number on the sticker.
• Buy meat that is 100% grass-fed.
  • To avoid meat that has been fed GMOs, make sure the animal was 100% grass-fed or pasture-fed (sometimes also referred to as grass-finished or pasture-finished). For animals such as pigs and poultry that cannot be 100% grass-fed, it’s better to buy meat that is labeled as 100% organic.
  • Wild-caught fish are better than farm-raised, as farm-raised fish are fed fish meal containing GM grains and sometimes meat and bone meal. Eggs should be labeled 100% organic, as those with only a “free-range,” “natural,” or “cage-free” label is not necessarily free of GMOs.
• Buy your meat and produce at local farmers’ markets.

 

Here’re 11 Reasons Why Organic Food Is Better:

The benefits of eating organic foods are numerous. With it becoming more and more popular to eat organically, it is becoming easier and a little more affordable to purchase organic foods. Local farmers’ markets, health food stores, and even foods stores cater to those who eat organically.

11 Reasons Why Organic Food Is Better:

1. Protect The Environment:

• Large agricultural manufacturing plants have much higher energy consumption than local farmers who only use natural methods to produce their food.
• By buying organic food, you’ll not only be supporting small farmers but also saving energy and protecting the environment.

2. Preserve Natural Resources:

The use of chemicals is not only harmful to humans, but it can also have a significant negative impact on air and water quality.

• Chemicals such as fertilizers, pesticides, and herbicides are contaminants that are frequently found in groundwater, including water supplies that are consumed by millions of people.
• By eating organic foods you can help keep the water clean and safe for human consumption.

3. Support Local Farmers:

• They are dedicated to providing people with high-quality, chemical-free products.
• Large food manufacturers are able to produce more food at a lower cost because they use shortcuts such as pesticides and other synthetic chemicals.
• local farmers that produce organic food have a hard time staying in business because they simply can’t compete with larger suppliers.
• Buying organic food helps support small farmers who refuse to trade in quality for quantity.

4. Lower Your Risk of Getting Cancer:

According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), 90% of fungicides, 60% of herbicides, and 30% of insecticides can contribute to the development of cancer. Avoiding these carcinogenic chemicals can help you stay healthy, and protect yourself from potentially life-threatening diseases.

5. Support Wildlife And Biodiversity:

Pesticides are dangerous to animals that can become sick if they come in contact with many types of synthetic chemicals used in agriculture. Another agricultural practice that hurts biodiversity is planting the same type of crop on the same plot of land over and over again.

The soil eventually becomes depleted, and farmers have to increasingly rely on fertilizers and pesticides to produce the same amount of food. Break this cycle by eating organic food, which is grown using traditional farming methods.

6. Protect The Younger Generation:

• Children are especially vulnerable to the harmful effects of chemicals that are frequently used in food production.
• Research has shown that children consume four times as many carcinogenic chemicals as adults because they tend to eat foods that contain artificial ingredients.
• Children should eat a healthy diet composed of organic foods that contain all the essential nutrients their bodies need to grow up strong and healthy.

7. Support Innovative Research:

• Organic farmers are at the forefront of developing environmentally friendly methods of producing delicious, chemical-free food.
• Eating organic food can be your way of helping them fund the research that will revolutionize the food industry.

8. Organic Farmers Work in Much Better Conditions:

Employees who work in large food manufacturing plants are exposed to pesticides that are commonly used in food production and can develop serious diseases as a result. According to a study done by the Harvard School of Public Health, there is a 70% increase in cases of Parkinson’s disease among workers who handle pesticides. By eating organic food, you can help end the unfair treatment of workers who are regularly exposed to harmful chemicals that can potentially shorten their lives.

9. Organic Foods Do Not Contain Neurotoxins:

• Neurotoxins can damage your brain and nerve cells.
• Many food suppliers use pesticides known as organophosphates to kill pests that attack fruits and vegetables.
• The problem with using them is that organophosphates can be harmful to humans as well.
• In fact, they were used as a toxic nerve agent designed to disable the enemy during World War I.
• By eating organic foods, you can avoid dangerous neurotoxins that can harm your body.

10. Organic Foods Taste Better:

• Not only are they better-tasting, but organic products are also more nutritious.
• Organic foods have more minerals, vitamins, and other essential nutrients than mass-produced food that has been treated with chemicals.

11. A resistance to Disease and Allergies:

As mentioned above, the chemicals used in commercial farming are known to cause cancer, so by eating more organic food:

• You will be reducing your risk of these cancers.
• The over-use of antibiotics in meat and dairy is causing antibiotic-resistant strains of viruses and diseases as well.
• The prevalence of food allergies is growing at an alarming rate.
• Part of the reason for this is the unhealthy farming methods used in traditional farming.
• Raising your children on organic produce, meat and dairy products can significantly reduce the risk of them developing food allergies.

 

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Disclaimer: “Nothing in this article makes any claim to offer cures or treatment of any disease or illness. If you are sick please consult with your doctor.”

Sources

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