The Truth About "Organic" Food Labels

ORGANIC

We have all seen this designation on the foods we purchase.

Often, this is a determining factor in choosing one product

over another.

Well, "Not so fast my friend!".

The ubiquitous USDA "ORGANIC"seal so prominently

displayed on many products, WITHOUT the words,

"100% ORGANIC" only means; at least 95% of the

content, by weight, is organic. Oh, (excluding water

and salt). The remaining five percent of ingredients

is on an approved list of non-agricultural products

not available in organic form. Products are certified

(usually by a third party) and, here is the good news,

may not include using methods such as sewage sludge

and ionizing radiation.

WARNING THIS IS GRAPHIC!

YUCK

To be truly organically grown (and minimally processed),

our food must have been produced without conventional

pesticides, artificial fertilizers, human waste, sewer sludge,

ionizing radiation, genetic engineering, or food additives.

Sweet!

To be certified as organic, livestock cannot be grown with

the use of growth hormones nor the routine use of antibiotics.

There is a lot more information beneath this surface layer

I am providing. The process to have one's produce

or animals CERTIFIED as "ORGANIC" has become so

expensive that it is prohibitive to many small farms.

HMMMM.... interesting.

Now, this does not mean theese small farms are not producing

perfectly wholesome food. On the contrary, most small family

farms do care about their products and cultivate in a responsible

way. They just cannot SAY it is "ORGANIC" because they

didn't pay the (sometimes $10,000) fee to have it certified by

USDA. When shopping, we try to look for other "codewords"

such as naturally grown, etc. It is also helpful to shop when you

can, at local farmer's markets. There, you will be able to meet

and talk to the actual grower. Join a CSA. It hardly matters

where you live, you will be able to find small family owned

farms and gardens that are eager to share their bounty!

Of course, you're not going to drop dead from eating less

than 100% organic food all the time. But, given the (real)

choice, you may want to eat in as natural and wholesome

way as you can. The bottom line is this: In the supermarkets

etc, it isn't really organic unless it says "100% ORGANIC".

We call the rest of that stuff "Organish"

Chow!