What Does Organic Mean

Health matters, thus health is inevitably the biggest concern for anyone who aims for a longer and happier life. It has been a known fact that health issues are well-integrated in the news, and that they have paved their way toward human awareness. The mere occurrence and development of lifestyle-related diseases has left a buoyant mark to all conscious individuals. The ever-growing interest and demand for healthy and guilt-free food have pushed global researchers to re-define and identify what is popularly known to be ORGANIC.

On a general note, the production of organic food makes use of the process of by which the producers utilize earth's natural resources for sustainability. It aims to deliberately and ecologically achieve the balance and cohesion among animal life, the natural environment and food crops.

As it has been tactfully considered by consumers, health experts and the like, "organic" label is inferred to be an avenue where the criteria such as good flavor, healthy food and healthier lifestyle and environment meet. Organic food, as many of us know, is produced by avoiding the usage of persistent non-selective chemicals, which are commonly found in pesticides, fertilizers and fungicides.  Organic food farmers advocate and reiterate that they opt to employ the method of using renewable resources and strict conservation of soil and water so as to sustain a quality environment for generations to come. Unconventional procedures, which include production of synthetic ingredients, ionizing radiation and bio-engineering, are highly fated. In the same manner, meat, eggs and other dairy products may be considered organic, if and only if, the resources (animals) were not given any antibiotics or growth hormones.

The Standard

However, before specific produce/products are considered organic, a group or approving body under the jurisdiction of the government shall inspect the farm where the particular food is grown, to make sure the farmer has closely followed all the rules necessary to meet the so- called "organic standard". So when a consumer brings home goodies marked” organic", one can be certain that it was produced and handled in accordance with the highest standard in organic production.

There is likewise a misconception between "organic" and "natural". It should be noted that these are not interchangeable. "Hormone-free" and "natural" labels are widespread in the market, too. The food industry has utilized the word "natural" to connote that a certain food has been minimally processed and is preservative-free.  Only food types labeled as "organic" have gone through series of inspections and therefore meet the organic standards.  Approving organizations in different countries include NASAA Organic Standard in Australia; Organic Farmers and Growers Organic Standards and the Association in Britain; Canada Gazette in Canada; JAS Standards in Japan; NOP Standards in USA. It is through theses organizations that organic food consumers should trust in order to determine the authenticity of any organically-grown crops or organic-farming based product.

Farming and Environment

To date, advocates of organic food emphasize issues involving human health and their environment by disseminating information and educating farmers to exercise various farming methods that do not pose any harmful effect on the soil as well as the environment, in general. These methods, according to the experts, effectively promote and improve the biodiversity in the farms as most of them involve traditional means that prove to help the environment grow in the natural manner.

Therefore, organic agriculture may be concluded as an integrated approach to both active and observant management of the farming system. It starts with good and proper soil management for continuous nutrient cycling together with productivity. It deeply involves an integrated and preventative approach to pest and production management to protect health and productivity.