Organic Food

[Tiger]

When a food is organic what does that mean? Does it just mean no additives?

[laughsandlaughs]

From www.traderjoes.com (http://www.traderjoes.com)

WHAT IS ORGANIC?

Organic is a term that describes a holistic approach to growing crops, raising livestock, and processing and handling foods. The foremost goal of organic agriculture is to optimize the health and productivity of interdependent ecological systems.

WHAT'S NEW?

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has proposed new federal standards for the term organic. Under the new national program all organic foods will meet the same standards. The new standards will also be backed by consistent labeling requirements, which will make it easier for the customer to shop and buy organic products. The proposed standards are to begin implementation in 2001.

The USDA organic standards will include new guidelines for farms, poultry farmers, cattle farmers, milk producers, handlers, processors, manufacturers, packers and retailers. Irradiation, sewage sludge and genetically engineered ingredients will not be used in the] production of ingredients or foods that carry the organic label.

PROCESSED FOODS

How will I know if a food is organic?

]The term 100% Organic is for single ingredient products such as Organic Clover Honey or Organic Rasperries. A product that is made] with at least 95% Organic ingredients (excluding water & salt) can also be labeled Organic, but the remaining ingredients must be from] the approved National List.

The terms 100% Organic or Organic will be found on the front label of the product. The product must also have the USDA CERTIFIED
ORGANIC seal on the front label, as well as the seal of the participating certifying agency.

PROCESSED FOODS

How will I know if a food is made with organic ingredients ?

If a product is labeled Made With Organic Ingredients, it will contain 50%-95% organic ingredients and the label may state Made With
Organic Ingredients. The USDA CERTIFIED ORGANIC seal can't be used anywhere on the package, but the participating certifying
agency or seal may be used on the label.

MEAT AND POULTRY

What are the proposed standards for organic meat and poultry?

The guidelines state that the animal will be fed 100% organically grown feed. The use of antibiotics and growth hormones will not be allowed under the proposed regulations, and routine confinement of the animal will not be allowed.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

You may find additional information at these internet sites: USDA (http://www.USDA.gov.com) and the Organic Trade Association (http://www.OTA.com).

[kirkbyky]

I would also like to recommend you read an article found in 'The New York Times Magazine' May 13, 2001 issue. You'll likely be able to find it at your local library. This article is about the organic food INDUSTRY--words that I thought would never be placed together. So, If you goto your local farmers market for asparagus or apples, they probably are organic, however, if you go to the local store for some organic lasagna, that may be a different story. The laws are changing to represent the intrests of agri-businesses who now have organic subsidiaries, and loop-holes are starting to show up. So, take a look, that article is really good, and important to anyone who is interested in eating/cooking organically.
Kyle

[This message has been edited by kirkbyky (edited 05-21-2001).]

[Julie O]

This, I will admit up front, is one of my pet peeves. Currently, there is no across the board standard for organic food. So, it is very possible that you are not buying what you think you are.

I think most people believe that organic farming means no chemicals, natural, from plant and animal sources, etc. Some may believe that only manure is used to fertilize the crops, for example. I read an article (can't remember the source) that listed the most commonly used ingredients for organic farming. Number one was sulfur. Sure sulfur is mined from the ground (and processed), but I doubt if that's what people have in mind when they think of organic farming. And, the list got worse from there. They also pointed out that it takes 3-4 times as much fertilizer/pesticide for organic farming than standard farming. (more frequent applications, more amount applied per application) And, many of these fertilizers/pesticides are not safer for the environment than traditional, manufactured fertilizers/pesticides. They've just been used for a longer period of time.

Until there's a better standard for organic foods, I'm very skeptical to buy any. Some businesses, like Trader Joes, inspect the producers of organic foods, so you're more likely to be getting what you are expecting, but grocery stores usually don't police their organic food growers.

[cchhbb]

I agree with you on the frustrations regarding the lack of standards regarding organic foods.

One thing that surprised me was when my parents were asked if their beef was organic, they have to answer no even though the animals do not receive hormones. Because we can't prove that the soybean meal that they are fed comes from an organic source, then the beef is not organic.

I really take the term organic with a bit of a grain of salt due to the conflicting standards. I really just try to go with fresh things from local sources if possible.

[ewatkins]

Just wnated to second the New York Time s Article in the Sunday magazine, May 13. It's probably online. It was a fascinating look at the big industry of what "organic" has become. The author concludes that it's better to buy locally, rather than some "organic" milk that came from a mega dairy thousands of miles away. After reading this article, you'll think again before buying any frozen or prepared "organic" foods--the definitions are not what you think!