Organic Food
Organic farming is not new, it has existed for thousands of years, in fact since farming began. Over the last 60 years or so with the development of fertilizers and other modern technologies, traditional farming methods have gone into decline. After World War II we saw advances in food production methods with the aim of decreasing the cost of food. It is now the case that food production using modern technologies has become the norm.
Today, although organic farming still exists, it is carried out by a small minority of growers and farmers. Very strict regulations are in place to determine if food can be classified as truly organic. The use of certain fertilizers, perticides, genetic engineering , growth hormones, irradiation and antibiotics in the absence of disease are prohibited.
It is a commonly held belief that organic food is better for us and there is an ever growing consumer demand for this type of produce. Organic food has certainly become extremely fashionable but it is also extremely expensive.
So is organic food actually better for us or not? This is the question that the Food Standards Agency in the UK addressed in a recent study it commissioned. The study was conducted by the London School of Hygiene & Medicine. All papers published over the last 50 years relating to nutritional content and health differences between the two types of produce were reviewed. The team concluded that there was no significant difference in nutritional value between organic and non organic produce.
Can we now breath a sigh of relief and abandon the organic section in our local supermarket? I think not. This is a perfectly fine study but it deals with only one issue i.e. nutritional value. While it is a relief to know that we are eating food of good nutritional value it is not the full story. Food safety is a very important issue. We do not have any idea for example, what the long term effects of growth hormones will be. We regularly consume these in meat and happily give them to our children. Even from an aesthetic point of view do we really want to eat irradiated strawberries? Isn’t is better just to wait until they are in season and just pick them? What bothers me about the study is not the study in itself but the fact that it will be quoted as a reliable source in support of conventional farming methods without reference to the wider debate.
I think I’d just rather not fill my insides up with chemicals, Ann. Thanks for this.
Enjoy the journey.
Mandy
Hi Ann,
This is a fabulous post! I am taking a deep breath because there is really a lot to be said
Here in the US 2 main things are happening:
1. BIG companies realized that the organic market is gaining huge momentum so they want a piece of the pie. This often times is now compromising the quality of organic foods.
2. People are realizing more and more how toxic some of the ‘main stream’ food can be and are seeking out healthier alternatives.
In either case, I agree with Mandy … I’d rather not fill up my insides with chemicals
Thank you again for a great post!
Svenja
Hi Ann, that’s a very good point you’ve raised. You would’ve thought someone along the way (refering to the study) would’ve mentioned the chemical input. Maybe they thought the farming world would want to be subsidized and hit the tax payer for more.
Or could it be that the people carrying out the study were trying to install confidence in the non organic and make everyone belief it safe?
Who knows what they thought, but they didn’t mention the most important part, which is our long term health.
Very thought provoking Ann, well writen.
Regards, Barry
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Hi Ann,
Wow on the Organic food information. As a mum I am concerned about what I am feeding my 2 year old, and where possible I do try and only buy what is in season at the local green grocers rather than the supermarket. I have even set up a little potted veggie garden.
Thank you for the info, it has made me realize I am on the right track.
Kind Regards
Jacinta
Dear Ann
Nice to catch up with you again.
I totally agree it is not just the nutritional value of your food but what that food contains.
The levels of pesticides including dangerous levels of carcenogenics in many peoples blood stream is frightening?
Anyway good luck with the future – by the way how far are you away from launching it at all?
Regards
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Hi Ann, A most excellent post, I read it twice!
I agree, can’t we go back to eating produce that is actually in season.
Best wishes, Ray.
every food that we eat should come from Organic Farming. i really get scared about those toxins coming from chemical fertilizers and chemical pesticides. I only eat foods which are certified that they are organically grown