| Organic produce is one of the fastest growing | | | | fresh food, and are closely associated with |
| food retail sectors in the country. Health scares | | | | organic farming. They are often purchased |
| such as BSE and foot-and-mouth, plus fears of | | | | directly from growers, at farmers markets, |
| GM crops/food and synthetic dyes and ingredients | | | | supermarkets or through speciality food stores. |
| such as Sudan1 have led to considerable growth in | | | | Organic meat, eggs, dairy are also available. |
| the organic and the healthy food market as | | | | Processed food |
| worried consumers seek out more healthy and | | | | Processed food accounts for most of the items |
| natural products. | | | | in a supermarket. Often, within the same store, |
| Recent research by market analysts nVision | | | | both organic and conventional versions of |
| suggests four in ten adults now choose organic | | | | products are available, and the price of the |
| options on a regular basis. Organic supermarkets | | | | organic version is usually higher as already |
| in England are booming and Europes biggest | | | | mentioned. Most processed organic food comes |
| organic event, the Biofach exhibition in Germany in | | | | from larger companies producing and marketing |
| getting bigger every year. | | | | products like organic baby food, organic beer, |
| Unfortunately, at the moment retailers are | | | | organic pasta or other convenience foods. |
| charging artificially high prices. I was in Tesco last | | | | How do I know its organic? |
| week which is a rare occurrence as I shop locally | | | | The term organic is defined by law - all organic |
| where possible, and I nearly died when I saw the | | | | food production and processing is governed by a |
| prices being charged for organic yogurt and eggs | | | | strict set of rules. Look for symbols such as the |
| compared to the non-organic brands. Its about | | | | Soil Association symbol for your guarantee of the |
| time that the government started to investigate | | | | highest organic standards. The Soil Association |
| these organic suppliers and supermarkets to see | | | | organic symbol is the UK's largest and most |
| who is ripping us off! Encouraging competition is | | | | recognisable trademark for organic produce. |
| not always a good idea as this can drives down | | | | Wherever you see it you can be sure that the |
| prices (good for the consumer) which can put | | | | food you have purchased has been produced and |
| organic suppliers out of business if they have | | | | processed to strict and rigorous animal welfare |
| small profit margins. I understand that we have to | | | | and environmental standards. Other symbols to |
| pay more for organic produce because there are | | | | look out for include the Organic Food Federation |
| more crop failures due to the fact that the | | | | and Certified Organic Ingredients. |
| farmers cannot use pesticides, but what is an | | | | Most people dont have enough time to read the |
| acceptable percentage and does this vary from | | | | labels of all the different food products that they |
| product to product. Should organic fish be 10 | | | | buy to check for organic ingredients. So look for |
| percent more expensive than non organic fish and | | | | the various symbols, you can then be sure that |
| vegetables 20 per cent etc? | | | | the product complies with minimum government |
| Once only available in small health shops or | | | | standards. |
| farmers markets, organic foods are becoming | | | | The use of such symbols is entirely optional and a |
| much more widely available. In the past 10 years | | | | product can still be organic even though if it |
| sales of organic food in the UK have increased | | | | doesnt carry the symbol of a certifying body. |
| over 10-fold from £100m in 1993/94 to | | | | That means if you want to be 100% satisfied |
| nearly £1.4bn in 2004/05. This large growth | | | | that what you are eating or using is organic |
| is predicted to continue, and many companies are | | | | always read the label or speak to the vendor. |
| jumping into the market. Sales through farmers | | | | Where you will find the symbol? - Look out for |
| markets and farm shops have grown faster than | | | | organic symbols on almost any kind of food and |
| any other retail outlet. Organic food and drink now | | | | drink you can think of from fresh produce like |
| accounts for 1.2 per cent of the total retail | | | | fruit, vegetables and meat to processed foods |
| market (Source Soil Association). | | | | such as bread or baby food. You can even buy |
| There are two types of organic foods. | | | | organic pet food! |
| Fresh food | | | | This article is free for republishing |
| Fresh food is seasonal and perishable. Vegetables | | | | Source: |
| and fruits are the most available type of organic, | | | | Occupation: Founder of GuideMeGreen. |