What does Organic Food really mean?

Should be a simple task really, making sense of determining whether a food is organic or not. Food that comes with organic labels should mean it is between 95-100% completely organic (not natural, but organic). There is a distinction between the two. Don’t confuse natural products with organic products because they are not the same. The package label will tell you what you need to know about the product you are considering on purchasing. Most supermarkets put organic foods into their own special section.

In the United States, before someone can label their food organic, an inspector that has been qualified and certified by the government has to arrive and inspect the product. The inspector will tour the farm, review the growing practices and inspect the product to be certain all the rules and guidelines are followed.

These rules and guidelines are as follows:

The soil must be under long-term management and care. Some crops require yearly fertilization; others do better being fertilized every other year. There must be a written record on site showing how this management and care is being implemented.

The farm must show that their means of growing crops or raising livestock organically does not impact the surrounding farms or fields.

The farm must keep all strict labeling requirements and be accurate in record keeping. This record should include all activity involved with the process of producing the food product.

Use no commercial pesticides, sewage sludge or any other biochemical means of keeping pests off their produce or livestock.

If the farmland has been dealt with on a conventional farming basis, the land cannot be used for organic farming for a three year period. Once the three years have passed the farm can be certified as an Organic Farm.

There are also Process Inspectors. These Process Inspectors come out to the farm and review the process to make the product- to get it into its finished form. Although the product itself may also be evaluated, the focus is more on how the process comes about and if it works.

In Europe the packaging is not labeled as organic, but is instead called eco-label. With the appearance of BSE the trend towards organic foods is strong. Organic raised cattle were not infected with BSE. There are major organic food supermarket chains, and organic pet food is quite popular as well.

If the USDA finds out that someone is labeling their product fraudulently as “organic” the producer can be fined up to $10,000.00 for each product that violates this rule.

Organic products are typically 20% higher in cost than conventional products. Organic farming is not subsidized by the government, therefore it is more expensive to maintain the farms, hire the workers and bring in good product.

Organic foods have a shorter shelf life, but you can buy organic products with the assurance that the products are fresh and ready to use.

The green trend is continuing and although there is sparse information about whether or not organic products are actually healthy for you, more people are buying organic every year. In 2004 over $20 billion was spent on organic products.

For a real wake-up call about why to buy organic foods and products, read Rachel Carson’s book Silent Spring.