The Low Down on Organic Labeling!

According to http://www.greenearthorganics.com, “organic” refers to how the food has been grown and processed. The standards for the production, processing and certification of organic foods have been established by the Federal Organic Food Protection Act of 1990. Organically grown foods are grown without synthetic pesticides, herbicides and fertilizers. Instead, common practices used in organic farming and food production include the use of natural fertilizers and composts; crop rotation for building healthy soil; pest and weed control using naturally occurring toxins, predator insects, and hand cultivation. Organic farming is time-consuming and often more costly than the non-organic methods but it provides the highest quality foods without the risk to public health or to the environment.

So, want to know the down and dirty about what Organically Produced means?

1. 100% Organic – is actually 95% organic.  The other 5% have to be approved on the “National List” of items that are not available on an organic farm.  Products cannot be made using sewage sludge, ionization radiation, and excluded methods.

2. Made with organic ingredients – is actually 70% organic.  Can list up to 3 organic ingredients.  USDA Seal cannot be used.  So for example, if you buy a CAN OF SOUP, and it states – “Made with Organic Vegetables” (It is only 70% organic).

Remember those eggs of yours?

Listen to this! There are no restrictions regarding: “No drugs or growth hormones used…Free Range….Sustainably Harvested”  Ack!

For more information please go to:
http://www.usda.gov/wps/portal/!ut/p/_s.7_0_A/7_0_1OB?navid=ORGANIC_CERTIFICATIO&navtype=RT&parentnav=AGRICULTURE

3. Take a Few Steps to Green Your Diet!
http://www.thedailygreen.com/healthy-eating-plans/

Are You Scared Of Your Food?

Have you noticed that sometimes while you are conversing over dinner, that the topic has ended up about the epidemic caused by food-related diseases? I am amazed that the one source that nourishes, satiates, and fulfills every breath of our being – could possibly be the one thing that takes our breath away.

Kevin

One of the most heartfelt stories I heard in relation to food, was Kevin’s Law – from Food Inc.  – which begs the meat-industry to follow higher safety regulation in factories and lower food-borne illness.  Kevin was a young toddler who passed away from eating a burger that had E.Coli within 12 days.  Please see below for more links regarding Kevin’s family – and ways you can take action.

After hearing this story, you must be wondering – who knows the true difference between organic and conventional?

Well, as someone who has been in this industry for years, I can tell you, there is a HUGE difference in terms of producing a product ethically, and non-ethically.  Organic farmers have to abide by much stricter regulations that conventional farmers – in relation to soil, farming techniques, pollution, health conditions, and much more.  Therefore, sometimes organic production can be much more labor intensive.

Let’s do a simple math problem.  Let’s say you go to buy a tomato plant. (Now here in Texas, it is impossible to make a tomato plant grow no matter how GREEN your thumb is).. Let’s say that you use organic fertilizer and soil growing this plant vs. conventional soil and fertilizer.  The yield of the amount of tomatoes you receive is not going to be the same.

The next question posed is – Do you believe in quantity over quality?

My answer, if you are even remotely interested in http://www.greenista.com – is that you are definitely into quality – uniqueness – ethics- purpose – sustainability – etc.

So, rather than ending up in the hospital for salmonella – wouldn’t it be better to focus on local, homegrown, organic produce – which may be a bit more painful on the wallet – but much less than a hospital bill? I think so.

Here are some further articles regarding Organic Food Vs. Conventional:
http://www.organicauthority.com/organic-living/lauras-letter/organic-food-and-safety.html

Kevin’s Law:
http://www.cspinet.org/new/200305221.html

Kevin’s Story:
http://www.foodborneillness.org/kevins_story.htm

How to Help Kevin through Petition Signing, Donations, and More:
http://www.foodborneillness.org/take_action.htm