It seems that “organic” is the latest when it comes to consumer goods, what with all kinds of organically produced consumer items we see all around us. Yet, you should not be hasty, instead consider and weigh the arguments for and against organic foods. The difference is imperceptible to the uninitiated. Organic and non-organic fruits, meat and vegetable look the same, so what is the reason that organic food is more expensive in supermarkets? Originally, organic foods are found only in the farm produce section of grocery stores, but can now also be seen in other shelves for drinks, dried fruits, and other processed and semi-processed food products.
Some people feel uneasy about the safety factor of genetically modified food products. Food products labeled as “organic” are assumed to have been cultivated on grounds that are free of chemicals for the last three years.
In order to be classified as organic, there must be no pesticides and other chemicals used during the cultivation stage. Likewise, preservatives, colorings or any other artificial enhancer are not present when the goods are being processed and packed.
The contention that buying and consuming organic food products are beneficial is based on solid grounds. In contrast to traditional farming practices, there is no danger of contamination on watersheds and drinking water from pesticides and chemical over-spill in organic farming. In addition, the use of cover crops, composts and crop rotations in organic farming retain the riches and sustainability of the soil. Another benefit of organic farming method is the differing nutrient demands and slowing down soil erosion.
A study evaluated a dozen products and proved that organic foods are richer in micro-nutrients and nutritional value. Among the beneficial nutrition found in organic food are increased quantities of vitamins A, B, C and E, as well as zinc and other elements and minerals like calcium. Another advantage of organic foods is the absence health complications associated with pesticides and antibiotics. It has been proven that there are less heavy metals and almost no hydrogenated fat in organic food, unlike non-organic processed food that may have both.
Although organic foods are proven to have increased nutrition, there are some arguments that are raised against it. There might be more harm in the use of manure in organic compost than the danger to one’s health associated with pesticides and chemicals used on non-organic farms. E. coli bacterium that can found in manure can cause harmful animal diseases in humans. Besides, organic food can be produced as much as non-organic food. Using the organic farming system will produce less than farming with modern intensive methods. Production inefficiency therefore is one of the causes of high organic food cost. If there is widespread use of organic methods in lieu of modern methods, the results may be worldwide food shortage.
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