Organic food, it's looks nice on the outside but what's really behind the organic label? The U.S. organic food market in 2015 was worth $43.3 billion dollars. Over the last 10 years, the organic sector has steadily had a 20% growth spurt each year. On one hand, it means Americans are growing more concerned about their food choices but on the other, you have wonder if they're getting duped.
When you pass by the conventional tomatoes, on your way to select the organic ones, do you feel a sense of pride in your choice?
I know that I often do. I feel as though I'm buying something that is far superior for my health and for the environment. Ask anyone why they buy organic and chances are, their reasons are similar.
It's a no-brainer. Of course we want to avoid food with toxic pesticides, and we certainly don't want to serve it to the ones we love.
Duped By the USDA
I'm afraid I have to admit I've been very wrong about the organic food I've been buying at the supermarket. I was completely duped by the USDA certified organic label that has been driving my buying decisions, and maybe you've been duped, too. But it's not just foods that are certified organic that's misleading. Many companies simply use the word "organic" to make consumers think their product is healthy or superior to others.
Deceptive Marketing Tactics
The term "organic" is being thrown around a lot these days... Just one walk down an aisle of the supermarket, and you'll see many food products proclaiming their product is made with organic ingredients or at least trying to give you that idea.
No wonder people are often confused about what "organic" means. Is organically-labelled candy or chips healthy? I don't think so.
How Organic Is Defined
Obviously, we can't rely on what we think organic should mean when trying to define organic, so let's look at the guidelines. Organic food should be free of these things:
- pesticides
- synthetic fertilizers
- sewage sludge
- genetically modified organisms (GMOs)
- ionizing radiation
Organic meat should consist of animals raised without antibiotics or growth hormones.
The USDA National Organic Program's definition of organic:
Organic food is produced by farmers who emphasize the use of renewable resources and the conservation of soil and water to enhance environmental quality for future generations. Organic meat, poultry, eggs, and dairy products come from animals that are given no antibiotics or growth hormones. Organic food is produced without using most conventional pesticides; fertilizers made with synthetic ingredients or sewage sludge; bioengineering; or ionizing radiation. 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. Companies that handle or process organic food before it gets to your local supermarket or restaurant must be certified, too.
The Dirty Truth Behind the USDA Certified Organic Label
Myth # 1: Organic food is more nutritious.
As of today, there is no consensus as to whether organic food is more nutritious than conventionally-grown food. There are, however, studies that support both sides of the argument.
Myth # 2: No chemicals are used in producing organic food.
The USDA certification seal does not mean harmful chemicals were not used. In fact, pesticides, herbicides, and fungicides are allowed.
Myth # 3: We can trust the USDA certification seal of approval.
Despite the government's strict guidelines on growing organic food and the regulatory framework put in place to monitor the industry, the USDA lacks transparency. In fact, the USDA outsources the annual farm inspections to individuals known as organic certifiers. These organic certifiers are approved by the regulatory body, however, they are paid by these organic farmers. Therefore, they lack incentive to penalize or put farmers out of business when they are not following the rules. A conflict of interest, perhaps?
The Corporatization of Organic Farming
Mono-crops
What a lot of people are also unaware of is that large corporations have bought out smaller organic farms. These corporate farms are very similar to conventional farms. For instance, the use of mono-crops, which entails growing one crop over a large area, is common practice with corporate farms. This strips the soil of its nutrients and is bad for humans and the environment.
The degredation of the soil ultimately results in weakened plants, so farmers must use more chemicals to stimulate plant growth and protect them from diseases. With this practice, we end up with food lacking nutritional value that is toxic to our health. But these chemicals are not only harmful to us, they are harmful to the environment because they leech through the soil and pollute our ground water.
Importing organic food
Organic Import Stats
- 20% of organic food is imported into the U.S.
- 100% of all organic bananas, vanilla, and cocoa are imported from other countries.
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With all of this information, one must conclude the organic food labeling system is nothing short of a scam. The only way to know the source or integrity of your food is to grow it yourself or get to know the farmers who produce it.
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Interested in the topic of vaccines and health? Check out my other posts:
This Ingredient in Your Child’s Vaccines Causes Obesity & May Be Carcinogenic
The Polio Vaccine's Link to Cancer & the Monkey Virus that Contaminated it Found in Human Cancers