| Criticism of organic food and organic agriculture | | | | warehouse at the other side, only to be sent |
| includes the following: | | | | back again to the Supermarket. One supermarket |
| Organic food is expensive | | | | has been run a pilot where the farmer and his |
| Unfortunately, at the moment retailers are | | | | tractor deliver the organic produce to the |
| charging artificially high prices. I was in Tesco last | | | | supermarket direct. Now that is progress! |
| week which is a rare occurrence as I shop locally | | | | Non organic food does contain pesticides of |
| where possible, and I nearly died when I saw the | | | | varying amount. Many toxicologists and scientists |
| prices being charged for organic yogurt and eggs | | | | consider the amount to be so low as to have no |
| compared to the non-organic brands. I understand | | | | effect on the consumer. For example, have you |
| that we have to pay more for organic produce | | | | fallen ill the past due to the chemicals in your |
| because there are more crop failures due to the | | | | food? I doubt it! Only those that have an allergic |
| fact that the farmers cannot use pesticides, but | | | | reaction or eat vast quantities of the same food |
| what is an acceptable percentage and does this | | | | may do so. Food is not allowed to be sold by law |
| vary from product to product. Should organic fish | | | | that is unsafe. |
| be 10 percent more expensive than non organic | | | | In todays society, it is virtually impossible to grow |
| fish and vegetables 20 per cent etc? If we have | | | | produce pestivide free and even organically grown |
| to pay more for crop failures how does this work | | | | foods do not claim to be completely free of |
| with processed food that uses less fresh | | | | chemical residues. Presticides are carried in the air |
| ingredients and higher volumes? Should we still | | | | and rivers. Non GM crops around the world have |
| have to pay a premium or are they just jumping | | | | been found to contain Genetically Modified |
| on the band wagon and making us pay higher | | | | seedlings as these have been carried in the air |
| prices? At the moment most organic items are | | | | from GM farms miles away. |
| too highly priced to be affordable to most people. | | | | Organic food has "sold out" |
| Furthermore, many argue that there is not | | | | Organic food began as a small movement |
| enough evidence that supports the benefits of | | | | decades ago with gardeners and farmers |
| eating organic food to warrant the additional cost. | | | | rejecting the use of conventional non organic |
| For example its difficult to quantify; can organic | | | | practices. With the growth of the Organic food |
| potatoes be 10% better for us, should we then | | | | market now outpacing much of the food industry |
| pay an extra 10% on the price? or are we paying | | | | many big companies have moved into this |
| for a lifestyle choice? Is this not the same as any | | | | market. With these large often multi national |
| branded clothes, toiletries, cars? We could buy | | | | companies, and with the creation of a legal |
| cheaper clothes, toiletires or cars as they all do | | | | certification framework such as the Soil |
| the same as dearer branded ones yet we choose | | | | Assocaiton, there is worry that the very definition |
| them because it makes us feel better and due to | | | | of organic food will change from what it used to |
| peer pressure and advertising. | | | | be and become just another mass produced |
| Organic Food Safety and Benefits | | | | brand which will over time be replaced by another |
| There is evidence that organic farms are more | | | | emerging sector. |
| sustainable and environmentally sound, among | | | | For example, Heinz is producing an organic version |
| other benefits. These claims, however, are | | | | of baked beans and has different ingredients and |
| subject to dispute and are not settled among | | | | packaging, it uses 100% certified organic |
| scientists. | | | | vine-ripened tomatoes. The label will also reflect an |
| Another contentious issue surrounding organic | | | | organic quality--with Heinz traditional red label |
| produce is the fact that nearly 70 per cent of | | | | replaced with a green version. Another difference: |
| produce sold in UK supermarkets is imported, | | | | the organic version will cost about 50% more |
| generating thousands of food miles to get to its | | | | than regular Heinz. Does certified organic |
| destination and causing damage to the | | | | vine-ripened tomatoes cost 50 percent more to |
| environment. | | | | buy when bought in bulk, I doubt it! |
| Often organic food produced in England is sent | | | | By keeping it small are we not keeping it beautiful |
| from one side of the country to the distribution | | | | and under control? |