Organic food products have become all the rage as healthier and more natural choices have penetrated into the food market. We have all heard the term ‘organic’ and seen the price tag that comes with it, but do most of us really know what it means? Today we will delve into the world of organic foods and explore the differences between them and their non-organic counterparts.
“ORGANIC food or farming methods […] involving production without the use of chemical fertilizers, pesticides, or other artificial agents”. This is the dictionary definition for ‘organic’. Essentially, organic foods are foods who have been grown without the use of human-made pesticides, artificial fertilizers, antibiotics, hormones, etc.. Very strict protocols are in place in organic farms, and a company is not allowed to label its product as organic unless it has been verified. If you are buying organic animal products, that means that the animal was able to be outside, had adequate space inside, and that it was not given any hormones or antibiotics. Organic farming has a big emphasis on the environment, and it is more environmentally-friendly than non-organic farming. The downside to organic food is that most of the time it is more expensive than non-organic food. This is because the farming practices are often more expensive than non-organic farming, resulting in the farmers having to make their products more expensive. There is hope that as organic food becomes the norm, prices will drop.
NON-ORGANIC food makes up the majority of the food that the world population consumes. Non-organic means that artificial pesticides, fertilizers, antibiotics, hormones, etc. are allowed to be used within the farm. This means that these substances can often make it into our food at home and into our bodies. This is obviously a concern for many since there products are not for human consumption. Non-organic foods often include GMO’s (Genetically Modified Organisms), which can also be harmful to humans. Despite of this, non-organic food is still the norm for a few good reasons. Firstly, it is cheaper than organic food, making it the go-to choice for most people who don’t have the extra money to spend on “fancier” food. Because non-organic farming produces more food per farm and lasts for longer, there is less financial loss, therefore the products can be cheaper. Secondly, though organic is better for the environment, non-organic farming often takes up less land since farmers can grow more per acre. There are also many efforts to produce less harmful pesticides for non-organic farming practices.
Both organic and non-organic foods have their own benefits and problems, and now that you know the facts, you can make the choice that best fits your diet and financial abilities!