In today's world, the term "organic" pops up everywhere -- farms, department stores and restaurants.
But what exactly does it mean, and is it really worth the hype? I have always been confused about this.
From what I understand, "organic" describes a way of growing food and raising animals that steers clear of most human-made nasties.
Think of it as a back-to-nature approach, prioritising the health of the soil, the environment, and ultimately, us.
IN FARMING
For fruits, vegetables, and grains to be labelled organic, farmers generally follow these key principles:
- No synthetic pesticides or fertilisers: Instead of artificial chemicals to fight pests or boost growth, organic farmers rely on natural methods. This could involve introducing beneficial bugs that eat harmful ones, rotating crops to keep the soil healthy, or using compost as a natural fertiliser.
- No genetically modified organisms: Organic seeds are traditional, not lab-altered. This means the plants grow and develop naturally.
- Healthy soil: Organic farming focuses on building rich, healthy soil. This naturally helps plants grow stronger and become more resistant to diseases.
- Natural weed control: Forget chemical weed killers! Organic farmers might use techniques like hand-weeding, mulching (covering the soil to suppress weeds), or tilling.
IS ORGANIC BETTER?
This is a question I have asked myself. And the answer is not really straightforward.
This is what I learned:
- Lower pesticide residue: A significant benefit of organic produce is the generally lower levels of pesticide residues. While non-organic food is regulated for safety, it's not altogether avoided.
- Potential nutritional edge: Some studies suggest organic foods might have slightly higher levels of certain nutrients and antioxidants, though data is not always consistent. Finally, what matters is a combination of all the food that we eat over a period of time, and not just organic or non-organic.
- No synthetic additives: Organic is the choice if the priority is to avoid genetically modified ingredients and artificial additives in processed foods.
- Animal welfare and environmental impact: Organic practices often prioritise better animal welfare and can be kinder to the environment through healthier soil, reduced pollution, and support for biodiversity.
- Cost factor: Organic foods often come with a higher price tag, which can be a barrier.
FAKE ORGANIC
This is something that I have been worried about. Considering the hype around organic, there may be non-organic food being sold as organic. How do I find out the genuineness?
In India, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) regulates organic food. Genuine products have relevant logos.
- 'Jaivik Bharat' logo: This is the unified logo for all certified organic foods in India.
- 'India Organic' logo: This signifies certification under the National Programme for Organic Production (NPOP), mainly for exports.
- 'PGS-Organic' logo: This indicates certification under the Participatory Guarantee System for India (PGS-India), designed for local markets.
WHAT I DO
I don't blindly buy or consume anything that is labelled organic, though I do lean towards 'organic' for all the benefits it offers. My overall goal is a balanced and varied diet that is rich in whole foods.
Good point about the labels. People put the organic logo on everything... I once saw Organic Water :D
ReplyDeleteThe Multicolored Diary
Organic is very expensive here and I tend to avoid it. Btw, I am sure it isn't your fault but your last six posts didn't come through on my reader. No doubt they would have in time, all together, which is what happened for your first few posts this month.
ReplyDeleteHari Om
ReplyDeleteNutritionally, the benefits are minimal, but for overall health organic is better for the clear reason of less in the way of chemicals. I tend to favour organic milk and eggs, because of better animal welfare, but for fruit and veg, where the price can sometimes be double and there is not real guarantee, as you say, I admit that mostly I don't bother. Environmentally, organic wins!
I understand Andrew's frustration. As I mentioned before, even though I changed to the feed.it widget, mostly I just have to come looking, knowing that you will be posting daily at the moment. Other times, it's pot luck. Why your blog should be so affected this way is a mystery. YAM xx
I can see how actual organic produce would be better, but it's hard to tell sometimes if things are actually organic. Too many people would use the label without doing the work if allowed to do so.
ReplyDeleteOrganic sounds good but there is often little difference in the taste and often not worth the extra cost
ReplyDeleteHi Pradeep - I tend to eat as simply as I can and not buy sauces etc ... and being a post war child I was brought up with home grown food ... I've got so far - I don't worry too much! Cheers Hilary
ReplyDelete