| Are you wondering what all the hype is about | | | | almost everything today! Organic meats; organic |
| organic food? Do you actually know what it is? If | | | | dairy products; organic grains for pasta and cereal; |
| you are interested in going organic, or just plain | | | | you can even find organic desserts, chocolate, |
| curious then read on... | | | | beers and wines. |
| The organic food industry has seen tremendous | | | | What is Certified Organic? |
| growth within recent years. Increased demand | | | | In most countries, foods grown and processed |
| has led to increased production, creating a need | | | | according to the set standards and regulations can |
| for general standards and a legal definition of | | | | apply for organic certification. The application |
| organic food. | | | | process is quite costly and time-consuming. |
| Most countries have adopted their own laws and | | | | Certified organic farms must present reports |
| standards for uniformity within organic production | | | | regarding the land use for both the past and the |
| and processing. This eliminates confusion while | | | | future. Stringent records must be kept and annual |
| protecting consumers and manufacturers. | | | | on-site inspections are carried out to ensure |
| Organic Food Definition | | | | quality and authenticity. |
| Under most circumstances, organic foods are | | | | The organic label can only be displayed by |
| those grown without the use of synthetic (and | | | | manufacturers or growers that have passed |
| often toxic) chemicals, pesticides, fertilizers and | | | | government certification. This protects consumers |
| other inputs. Livestock intended for domestic | | | | as well as producers by creating expectations for |
| consumption is not given hormone injections | | | | any product considered organic. |
| (artificial growth), and is not given antibiotics as | | | | The main certification body in the UK is the Soil |
| routine. Processing is also a chemical-free | | | | Association. In the US it is the USDA. |
| procedure. | | | | What is Organic Farming and Production? |
| Organic foods are produced and processed using | | | | Organic standards and regulations govern all |
| techniques that benefit the whole environment; | | | | aspects of organic production, including both crops |
| soil, water, air, animals and humans. | | | | and livestock. The key to successful organic |
| The Origin of Organic | | | | production is to use as few non-renewable |
| The organic food market was around long before | | | | resources as possible whilst promoting healthful |
| a legal definition of organic existed. Natural, | | | | practices for wildlife, soil, water, and air. |
| chemical-free cultivation has been common | | | | Organic farming involves synthetic chemical-free |
| practice for centuries among small farms. Before | | | | growing techniques using organic seeds. Crops are |
| the recent increase in demand for organic | | | | farmed without irradiation or the use of genetic |
| products, local farms and markets were the only | | | | modification. Organic foods enjoy chemical-free |
| source for fresh organic food. | | | | processing as well, without artificial (synthetic) |
| Today organic standards and certification laws | | | | additives, preservatives, or other ingredients. |
| regulate the market, ensuring consumers a | | | | In addition to freedom from the use of hormones |
| product that is truly organic, but there are still | | | | and antibiotics mentioned above, animals reared |
| many small farms that use strictly organic | | | | for organic food production enjoy open spaces, |
| growing methods without certification. Not all | | | | spacious shelter and an organic diet. Consequently |
| organic farms can afford the costs of | | | | meat and dairy are free of synthetic chemical |
| certification, meaning their foods will not bear the | | | | residues. |
| organic label although produced to the same | | | | Organic food is a new term for natural products |
| standards. | | | | that have been around for centuries. Recent |
| What Foods are Organic? | | | | advancements in the organic market have |
| When you think of organic food, fruits and | | | | brought global attention to the benefits of an |
| vegetables are the items that typically come to | | | | organic diet, proven by research, and the laws put |
| mind. Now, there is much greater variety in the | | | | in place by most governments ensure consumers |
| organic market. There are organic options for | | | | are getting a true organic product. |