All over the world, people are gravitating towards organic foods to counter the synthetic explosion in the food chain. Here's a crash course in the basics of organic foods and their labels so that you can make the right choices.
How organic is your food?
You've heard the term, you've seen the goods, but what does organic really mean? Are garden vegetables organic? Are the herbs you grow in your kitchen organic?
Not necessarily. The term organic refers to the way agricultural products are grown and processed. There are very specific requirements that must be met in order for a food to be classified as organic.
Before you go running out to start your organic kitchen garden for the summer, you must know that in order for your produce to be labelled organic it must be:
- Grown in safe soil. You can't mess around with the water table, so it's either the fancy Japanese grass or the plump tomatoes.
- The produce cannot be modified. You can't really buy the shiny seed packets from the supermarket because those have been genetically engineered to give shinier produce.
- Free of synthetic pesticides. If you have your heart set on the most luscious fruit-bearing garden, you will have to physically work harder on it. A little sprinkle of urea is a big no-no.
Understanding those labels
Here's a quick guide to understand what you're picking off the rack.
100% Organic:
These foods are completely organic and do not contain anything otherwise.
Organic:
These foods contain at least 95% organic ingredients.
Made with organic ingredients:
These foods have been made using at least 70% organic ingredients.
Eat healthy, save the earth
Organic practices in agriculture encourage soil and water conservation, reduce pollution, and use non-chemical fertilizers, herbicides, and pesticides. So take the plunge, live like you care! Adopt a healthier, environmentally conscious life and opt for organic foods. Not only are they better for you; they're also way cooler than regular stuff.