There has been so much advertisement and hype about organic foods that it really is important to understand what this term really means. Many manufacturers are using this term indiscriminately to inrease profts by appealing to those seeking foods that are free from dangerous chemical contaminants.
What then is organic food and how will it impact the health of your family?
Organic foods
Organic foods are produced using:
1. Agricultural management practices that promote healthy ecosystems and prohibit the use of genetically engineered seeds or crops, sweage, sludge, long-lasting pestcdes, herbicides or fungicides.
2. Livestock management practices that promote healthy, humanely treated animals by providing organically-grown feed, fresh air and outdoor access while using no antibiotics or added growth hormones.
3. Food processing practices that protect the integrity of the organic product and disallow irradiation, genetically modified ingredients or syntheic preservatives.
Are there standard that must be met?
In 1990 Congress passed the Organic Foods Production Act, which established a set of national regulations to define organic agriculture. Many groups and individuals worked closely with the USDA and the National Organic Standards Board to form the United States Department of Agriculture Organic Rule which went into effect on October 21, 2002.
Currently, the Organic Rule is working to create cedrtification standards for other products such as textiles, seafood and pet food.
Sources:
"Organics and You" http://www.wholefoodsmarket.com/
