Just what does “organic” mean? Are there really any quality and safety benefits, or are fans just succumbing to another marketing ploy?
Deciding whether or not to buy organic foods can be driven as much by emotions as by science.
Are you willing to pay extra for organic foods because you have been led to believe it is natural and healthier? Or, are you paying more because you believe organic foods are better for the environment and farmers? And, is that information even correct?
In a county that struggles with a median household income of $58,080 and where 11.4 percent of its residents live below the federal poverty level, those are questions I ask myself every time I go to the grocery store.
What exactly does “organic” even mean?
According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the “Certified Organic” or “USDA Organic” seal means a product is at least 95 percent free of synthetic additives such as pesticides, chemical fertilizers and dyes and that it was not processed using industrial solvents, irradiation or genetic engineering.
The “Made with Organic” label indicates 70 percent of the product’s ingredients are organic.
Violations of the federal organic labeling rules can bring civil penalties of up to $11,000 per violation, but how big of an impact does such a fine have on giant companies such as Nabisco or Horizon Dairy?
Organic agriculture has evolved over the past couple of decades – as has conventional agriculture practices – and new research is shedding light on how organic systems compare to conventional agricultural practices.
But, for every study that touts organic food as superior, there’s another one that suggests the differences are negligible.
Many of the studies are difficult to compare, but, in general, the studies suggest organic meat, poultry and dairy are higher in omega 3 fatty acids because the animals are fed fresh forage in their diet.
Studies of other organic foods and fruits and vegetables reach quite different conclusions, depending on whether you are looking at the nutritional differences or the pesticide and heavy metal levels.
Those measurements can be affected by what type of soil the producer grows his crops in, what type of crop rotation system is used, how much and what type of fertilizer is used, the irrigation management and the tillage style. What type of cover crop the producer uses can also impact the final product.
All of these factors make it difficult to compare research results and interpret what exactly the “organic” label on a product means.
wendy.rice@colostate.edu or 382-6461. Wendy Rice is the family and consumer science agent for the La Plata County Extension Office.
