Community | July 05, 2009 | 9 comments

Answering questions about organic

source: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2009/06/21/FDRJ187G2S.DTL&type=food

Image
JanforGore
In the year since I have been writing this column, readers have sent in many questions about organic foods. With the White House and the U.S. Department of Agriculture planting organic gardens, these questions have become more urgent.

Q: What is the difference between "100% organic" and "organic"?

A: Organic has a precise meaning under the USDA's organic program. Certified 100% Organic means that all the ingredients in a product have been grown or raised according to the USDA's organic standards, which are the rules for producing foods labeled organic. Certified Organic requires that 95 to 99 percent of the ingredients follow the rules.

What, exactly, are those rules? Summarizing what's in hundreds of pages in the Federal Register:

-- Plants cannot be grown with synthetic pesticides, herbicides, fertilizers, genetic modification, irradiation or sewage sludge.

-- Animals must be raised exclusively on organic feed, have access to the outdoors, and cannot be given antimicrobial drugs or hormones.

-- Producers will be inspected to make sure these practices are being followed to the letter.

Q: How do we know "organic" truly reflects our beliefs?

A: I am guessing this question refers to the spirit of organics. In the 1920s, the British botanist Albert Howard learned from observing farmers in India that human health depends on growing foods sustainably. Indian farmers taught him the importance of protecting soil nutrients through composted manure, crop rotation and appropriate cultivation, and using biological pest controls. Later, these methods were called "organic."

But USDA organic rules do not say a word about sustainability. This gap occurred as a result of the history of the organic standards (as I recount in "What to Eat"), but also as a result of the USDA's inherent conflicts of interest. The USDA's main job is to promote industrial agriculture. Organics, the USDA says, are just different, not better. Alas, the USDA has not always been a loving home for the organic program.

Q: Do food companies use the word "organic" in the same way they use "health"?

A: USDA organic rules are about the letter of the law, not its spirit. Food marketers, however, take advantage of public perceptions that "organic" implies spirit - sustainability and better nutrition. Companies that follow the rules can legitimately market highly processed foods as organic, taking advantage of their health aura to command higher prices.

No wonder so many big food companies have bought organic product lines (see links.sfgate.com/ZHKJ).Yes, organic junk food is free of synthetic pesticides, but the foods still have calories. As I like to put it, an organic junk food is still a junk food.


More at the link.
  1. groups:
    Community,   Green,   Health,   Sustainable Agriculture,   1 more
  2. tags:
    News,  Green,  Environment,  Health,  4 more
  3.     
    |

9 comments // Answering questions about organic

  • SeaJade
    • 0
      SeaJade  
    • Image

    • Wasn't sure if you have posted this or one like it jan, but just in case re: roundup and its inert ingredients...

      "Weed killer kills human cells. Study intensifies debate over 'inert' ingredients.
      Used in yards, farms and parks throughout the world, Roundup has long been a top-selling weed killer. But now researchers have found that one of Roundup’s inert ingredients can kill human cells, particularly embryonic, placental and umbilical cord cells. The new findings intensify a debate about so-called “inerts” — the solvents, preservatives, surfactants and other substances that manufacturers add to pesticides. Nearly 4,000 inert ingredients are approved for use by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency."

      the story continues at the link...

    • 2 years ago
  • blueghost09
    • 0
      blueghost09  
    • SeaJade:

      That is true they are killing off our DNA and making it unable to properly replicate (when at all) through the use of those pesticides and herbicides.

      Whatever happened to good ole fashioned horse poop???

      Oh that's right the horse poop is full of GMO grains and pieces and particles of other dead horses added to it.

    • 2 years ago
  • JanforGore
    • 0
      JanforGore  
    • SeaJade:

      I did post about that, but it can't be stated enough. Round Up is poison and it needs to be taken off the market. Monsanto is feeling the pinch a bit in their profits now so I hope it is in part because of those of us not relenting on getting the truth out about their lies. And you're welcome about the list of seed companies. This is a great way to boycott these big ag companies that are stealthily trying to control our food by buying off these smaller organic seed companies.

    • 2 years ago
  • SeaJade
    • 0
      SeaJade  
    • Image

    • I've found this organization to be of some help....

      The Cornucopia Institute Mission
      "Seeking economic justice for the family-scale farming community. Through research, advocacy, and economic development our goal is to empower farmers - partnered with consumers - in support of ecologically produced local, organic and authentic food."

    • 2 years ago
  • SeaJade
    • 0
      SeaJade  

    • Thank you so much for the list on which seed companies have been bought up by monsanto.... I use mostly Seeds of Change, and hopefully they will hold their own, but it is of great concern, and so I am collecting my seeds from my garden...

      And every time I discover what was once an "organic" company with some "integrity" has been bought out by a major "commercial" company, without fail that large company totally messes with the product and no longer holds the original integrity or intent.
      Not only that, they change or add "non healthy" ingredients such as sugar (why for god's sake, wonder why so many people are fat and diabetic?), or change the ingredients from organic and call them natural instead, without changing the packaging, or adding in bold letters "New Ingredients"... I can't just go shop and know what I am buying is what I think I am buying...I'm stuck reading labels almost every time I go shopping now because that has happened so many times over the past few years... (I have hypoglycemia, other family members have diabetes, and as long as I stay with "good" food, I have no problems, but sneak that sugar in and I feel it)...

      Yes, it is really confusing for people who are really trying to support organics and just beginning... organics these days just doesn't necessarily equate into something good... and then there are those "natural" and "inert" ingredients (re: gardening) that don't have to be listed and can contain toxic ingredients....

    • 2 years ago
  • blueghost09
    • 0
      blueghost09  

    • These are called Terminator seeds because they are not like the seeds of old which perpetually reproduced to grow heirmloom foods. After the first year, these seeds need to replaced for $$$ by Monsanto. The farmers and planters are now slaves to the big Corps.

      Also, when these GMO Frankenseeds blow into Organic farmers' fields, the farmers get sued for having them and these seeds wreck havoc on Organic crops.

      Let's not forget the fact that Monsanto and Pepsi are creating their own "strain" of Stevia which they plan to market. Don't touch this s*it, if you know what's good for you!!!

      Pepsi and Coke also pollute the waters of India and USE polluted water in their drinks.

    • 2 years ago
  • JanforGore
  • JanforGore
    • 0
      JanforGore  

    • This is a listing of seed companies owned by Monsanto. They have been buying them up all over the world. I suspect their agenda is to also own organic seed companies not becaue they wish to go organic, but to eliminate the competition while appearing organic. Knowledge is power. Know your seeds and ask questions.

      Territorial Seeds
      Totally Tomato
      Vermont Bean Seed Co.
      Burpee
      Cook's Garden
      Johnny's Seeds
      Earl May Seed
      Gardens Alive
      Lindenberg Seeds
      Mountain Valley Seed
      Park Seed
      T&T Seeds
      Tomato Growers Supply
      Willhite Seed Co.
      Nichol's
      Rupp
      Osborne
      Snow
      Stokes
      Jungs
      R.H. Shumway
      The Vermont Bean Seed Company
      Seeds for the World
      Seymour's Selected Seeds
      HPS
      Roots and Rhizomes
      McClure and Zimmerman Quality Bulb Brokers
      Spring Hill Nurseries
      Breck's Bulbs
      Audubon Workshop
      Flower of the Month Club
      Wayside Gardens
      Park Bulbs
      Park's Countryside Garden
      Also see here:

      http://www.fedcoseeds.com/seeds/monsanto.htm

      Fedco Seeds - The Monsanto Debate/Monsanto Buys Seminis

    • 2 years ago
  • JanforGore
    • 0
      JanforGore  
    • Image

    • As consumers, gardeners or farmers, we must also be aware that large companies like Monsanto are buying up organic seed companies to corner the market and eliminate competition. The purchase of Seminis by Monsanto was hardly a blip on the radar screen but represented a huge chunk of the vegetable seed market. Perhaps this is also one reason why USDA standards are not as stringent or enforced as they should be regarding certifying organic products.

    • 2 years ago
more from Community:
from the community

top videos