Recently there has been a debate on whether organic and natural produce are healthier alternatives to commercial produce. Since this debate began, there are now grocery stores dedicated to providing products that are all essentially all natural or organic. Various examples of these grocery stores include Whole Foods, Trader Joes, Safeway, and Super Target. Skeptics of this argument suggest natural and organic food industries are all marketing ploys targeted toward consumers in search of healthier food choices. The final question we must ask ourselves to get to the bottom of this debate is: Are organic and natural foods actually more beneficial or are they just a marketing hoax? Firstly we need to define in detail what organic produce, natural produce, are and how they differ. In order for a product or produce to be classified organic it must abide by USDA requirements for organic food. To meet these requirements for the USDA, organic crops must be produced without conventional pesticides, synthetic fertilizers, sewage sludge, bioengineering, and ionizing radiation. (Organic Production and Organic Food Information) Organically raised farm animals must have access to the outdoors for grazing. If a food has a "USDA organic" label, it contains at least 95 percent organic ingredients, and a government-approved expert has inspected the farm where it was produced to make sure the farmer follows USDA requirements. (Organic Production and Organic Food Information) The natural food guidelines are much more lenient where regulations are concerned especially when compared to the organic regulations. All foods containing natural flavors, sweeteners, or other plant-derived substances can be labeled natural. (Stated by American Society for Nut... ... middle of paper ... ...fact from USA Today, "no significant differences in the vitamin content of organic and conventional fruits and vegetables, when looking at vitamins A, C and E. Even worse, both types of foods were similar. Cowen’s analysis that organic produce and commercial produce are not different nutritionally was correct. He was wrong to say the organic is just a marketing poly. Organic produce ensures consumers of the methods used to produce the product, it consumer fell comfortable paying more for that information then so be it. Works Cited "American Society For Nutrition." American Society for Nutrition. N.p., n.d. Web. 15 Nov. 2013. "Organic Production and Organic Food: Information Access Tools." Organic Production and Organic Food: Information Access Tools. N.p., n.d. Web. 13 Nov. 2013. WebMD. "Is Organic Food Better for You?" WebMD. WebMD, n.d. Web. 13 Nov. 2013.
Steven Shapin is an expert when it comes to telling people the reality of the situation. In his, article “What Are You Buying When You Buy Organic?” Shapin exposes and explains the truth behind the word organic. He explains that our view on organic is not a reality. The small farms that we picture in our heads are really just big business in disguise and these big businesses are trying to do good by supposedly not using harmful pesticides. Which are supposed to not damage the environment but in reality they are probably not making any sort of difference. Some people care about the environment, while others are buying taste when it comes to organic food but using different pesticides are going to help the taste, only freshness tastes the best.
Produce from a home garden will be more organic than anything you can find at the grocery store. Organic produce is grown without the use of chemical pesticides, herbicides, or fertilizers (recycleworks.org). Large farms that supply most grocery stores do not use organic methods. They spray their fields and crops with a variety of chemicals that get absorbed by the produce and into the ground. Thus, every time you get your produce from the s...
For livestock to be labeled as organic, the animal must also go through several standards established by the USDA. As several non-organic livestock use a lot of types of medications, organic livestock may not be treated with prohibited medication, which is determined by the USDA. The livestock must also be allowed to have access to the outdoors. The only exception to this condition is that the animal may be contained based on its health, safety,...
With the world’s population continuing to increase, the demand for food is higher than ever. This increase in food demand also calls for more efficient ways of growing and providing the food. Two methods that are very controversial are the organic and conventional method. While many people support the organic method because of its known benefits, others feel that it is an over inflated industry that cheats consumers out of their money. But recently many studies have disproved those critics. These studies prove that Organic food is a better choice than conventional because it is better for the environment, avoids the use of chemicals, and is generally more beneficial.
Organic refers to the way agricultural products, food and fiber, are grown and processed. “It is an ecological system that at its core relies on a healthy rich soil to produce strong plants that resist pests and diseases. Organic farming prohibits the use of toxic and persistent chemicals in favor of more “earth-friendly” practices that work in harmony with nature. In the case of livestock, antibiotics are prohibited, opting instead for preventative measures for keeping animals healthy and productive. Organic production also prohibits the use of genetically modified organisms (GMO’s).” (Ameriorganic) To find organic products one must only look for the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) seal. The seal certifies the product must be 95%
As we stroll the aisles of our local supermarkets we see all kinds of food products, but does it ever occur to you how fresh or natural these products maybe. Organic farming prohibits any use of artificial chemicals, growth hormones, or antibiotics in the production of its crops and livestock. Organic farming has existed for centuries, but after the industrial revolution factory farming was arising. Organic farming does not allow the use of any pesticides in its crops or livestock production, but also helps sustain a good economic flow in rural communities. Although there are many benefits of organic farming, there is a lack of credibility some farmers provide within the distribution of their products and some argue that there’s no difference
Organic foods are those grown without the use of growth hormones, antibiotics, synthetic pesticides, or chemical fertilizers. Genetically modifying crops is also not preformed in organic farming. Soil fertility can be maintained using crop rotation, cultivation practices, and cover crops. Natural fertilizers and pesticides are still considered to be included in organic farming (Winter & Davis, 2006). Products that are controlled with cultivation conditions rather than chemical-synthetic pesticides include organic products (Woese, Lange, Boess & Werner Bogl, 1999). The use of synthetic pesticides and materials falls under conventional farming. If the materials are on the National List of Allowed and Prohibited Substances, it can, however, be considered organic. A process that chemically changes a substance extracted from naturally occurring sources is considered a synthetic material (Winter & Davis, 2006).
In order to confirm the claim, we first need to take into consideration what “healthy” means. Does it mean no or little pesticides, food grown from non-chemical fertilizers, no antibiotics or growth hormones, or which holds the most nutrients? Perhaps, “healthy” is a combination of all the above. Overall, at this time, organic foods meet this standard.
In a new view from comprehensive “research reveals that organic crops have higher levels of antioxidants and less pesticide residue then conventional produce” (Sifferlin). This study shows that reasons to by organic produce would benefit the consumer’s body. They would receive more antioxidants and less harmful pesticides. Agreeing with Sifferlin, Kluger brought to a light a different study “conducted by the Organic Center, a nonprofit group in Boulder, Colo., organic produce was found to be 25% higher in phenolic acids and antioxidants. ‘It’s these components that are deficient in Americans diet, so that makes this finding especially significant’” (Kluger). Americans consume genetically modified foods for breakfast, lunch, and diner, so it’s no surprise that they are lacking the vital nutrients that are limited in modified foods. If shoppers would buy untouched and untampered foods, they would benefit from the rich source of
Organic food is generally not much healthier than regular fruits and such nutrition wise with a few exceptions. “Higher vitamin C concentrations were found in organic leafy vegetables, such as spinach, lettuce, and chard versus the same conventionally produced vegetables in 21 of 36 (58%) studies”( Foreman). Also mentioned is that organic and nonorganic milk is not much different as “In general, milk has the same protein, vitamin, trace mineral content, and lipids from both organically and conventionally reared cows.”( Foreman).Despite the exception, it has been stated that the exception does not have strong enough evidence that can let a statement such as “eating organic food is more beneficial than eating conventionally grown food” stand on its own and be taken seriously. Another unfortunate circumstance on organic food is the price. On average, anything organic is priced higher than non-organic food, and according to Digestive Specialists Inc., it “…costs anywhere from 20 to 100 percent more than regular produce” (Digestive Specialists). The higher price leaves any financially struggling person or family less likely to invest in organic food when there is always a cheaper option available, even if the cheaper product isn’t beneficial to their health. The reason for this, mentioned by Health Research Funding,“…Organic farmers do not use artificial fertilizers, they tend to produce smaller quantities. Their method of farming is also more labor-intensive with weed pulling and crop rotation. And then there is the issue of supply and demand – as the demand for organic produce increases, so does the price” (Health Research Funding). The quality of organic fruits, while being mostly free of pesticides and chemicals, can also have a lot less time to deteriorate compared to non-organic foods. To summarize the issue, Mayo Clinic states that, “Because organic fruits and vegetables aren 't
Sub Point A: Conventional food like, fruits, vegetables and animals are grown in farms and can be genetically modified to improve size and quantity. The number of harmful substances obtained from conventional food is a huge problem. Organic food is obtained from animals or crops produced by farmers that avoid man-made fertilizers, additives, growth regulators and pesticides.
Eating organically is the way to go. “Organic, in food terms, is defined as free of chemical pesticides and certain farming practices." (Portnoy 24) Organic food has always been around; but it is now more scarce than before the rise of conventional (non-organic) food. In fact, when conventional food was first introduced to the public in 1921, it became a hit. Therefore, as a result, organic food has slowly been kicked to the curb while conventional food enjoys the spotlight. However, not everyone has completely turned their backs on their apples, pears, and bananas. In 2001, a new supermarket came about: Sprouts Farmers Market. Sprouts is a healthy, natural, and organic supermarket. Along with Sprouts, are other organic grocery stores such as Trader Joe's and Sunflower Farmers Market. And today, though conventional food is still much more convenient and popular than organic food, organic and healthy eating has become somewhat of a trend.
Natural foods are described as whole foods that are grown in gardens, and are unprocessed and unrefined. The downside of natural foods is that they have a shorter shelf life then processed foods. These foods are authentically flavorful, have vibrant colors, and rich textures. "Moreover, they are full of the micronutrient vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, phytochemicals, and fiber. Typically, they require longer preparation times. In contrast, they receive very little media advertising, and are not well funded with government...
“Organic” and “natural foods” are a part of a trend that is growing quickly, but how much do we consumers really know about the difference between natural food and non-organic foods? Food that is considered organic can be defined as being produced without the use of chemical fertilizers, pesticides, or other artificial agents. Processed foods are defined as foods that are packaged in bags, boxes or cans. Authors like Pollan and Foer, in their essays “Escape from the Western Diet” and “Against Meat” respectively, argue that organic food and a vegetarian diet are better for humans and the environment. Contrastingly, others like Shapin, author of “What Are You Buying When You Buy Organic” believe that we are too fixated on whether or not to buy
Organic food is food that is grown without any pesticide or fertilizers. In recent years, sales for organic foods are increasing every year. A lot of people go to supermarkets in order to buy some organic foods, because they think that organic foods are healthier than conventional foods. People purchase organic foods for different reasons such as personal health, the quality of organic foods, and taste, but the most important reason is personal health. The topic that whether organic foods have more benefits or not is very controversial for a long time. Maybe some people believe that organic foods are beneficial to human health, but some other people disagree with the viewpoint, so buying organic foods depend on people’s choices. People believe organic foods are healthier because they generally think organic foods have less pesticide and fertilizer residue, more nutritional values, and are beneficial to environment.