Tuesday, October 19, 2010

An Organic Food Fiasco




Organic foods baffled many people all over the nation. Some believe that eating organic is a better way to go, while others think that organic foods is the waste of money.  Is it worth paying extra money for organic label, or stick with the regular "non organic" food? 


According to the USDA, organically grown food is grown without any synthetic fertilizers, pesticides, genetic engineering, growth hormones, or antibiotics. Weeds are controlled naturally through crop rotation, hand weeding, mulching, and tilling rather than through chemical herbicides. The preparation of organic foods is highly regulated. 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. 

As mentioned earlier, organically grown foods do not contain pesticides.  Pesticides are chemicals such as fungicides, herbicides, insecticides, and are widely used in conventional agriculture. Children and pregnant women are most vulnerable to pesticide exposure. Children's bodies and brain are not fully developed, so an early pesticide exposure can cause developmental delays, behavioral disorders, and motor dysfunction. Most people have a build-up of pesticide exposure. The chemicals in fruits and vegetables could lead to health issues such as headaches, birth defects, and added strain on weakened immune systems.

An Organic food usually fresher and tastier than a non organic. Due to the number added preservative, non organic food has a longer lasting shelf life. Organic food contains no preservative. It doesn't last as long, but it's natural and fresh. 

Organic farming increases soil fertility, reduces pollution in air water and soil, and uses less energy. Harsh chemicals and pesticides can be very harmful, and even deadly to small animals and birds. 

Switching to organic foods is a personal choice. If you're concerned about eating foods that contain chemicals and pesticides then maybe it is worth paying the extra buck or two for an organic label. 




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