Wednesday, November 12, 2008
Walking the aisles of any supermarket these days means inevitably being bombarded by “organic,” “Fair Trade,” and “100% Vegan” seals on the packages of food products- but what exactly do these labels mean?The term “organic” has recently become a trend, and a simple way for companies to justify raising the prices of their product. As annoying as the price hikes for organic products can be, hopefully this trend is here to stay- products bearing the USDA seal for organic foods are significantly more environmentally friendly.
In order to bear the official “organic” seal, products must undergo inspection by government-approved organic certifiers. In the case of food, this means inspections of the farm where it is grown or raised. Fruits and vegetables receive the stamp of approval only if they are grown without most conventional pesticides, if their fertilizers are made without synthetic ingredients or sewage sludge, and they cannot be grown with the use of bioengineered seeds or ionizing radiation. For animal by-products such as meat, milk, cheese, or eggs, the animals cannot be given any antibiotics or growth hormones. All food items sold in the U.S., whether they’re local or imported, must meet these requirements in order to boast the official “organic” seal.
Good will is not the only factor fueling the “go organic” trend. Along with the environmental incentive, producers of certified organic products will benefit from potentially lower input costs, a decrease in their reliance on non-renewable resources, the ability to capture high-value markets, and premium pricing options to boost income.
Organic products are better for the environment because they are produced by farmers who avoid the use of harmful chemical pesticides, fungicides, and fertilizers. Farmers who embrace the production of organic products are also more likely to employ renewable and sustainable resources, as well as conserve water and soil for the use of future generations.
While the USDA makes no claims that the consumption of organic foods is healthier than non-organic foods, organic foods have a significantly smaller impact on the environment, making them worth the extra hassle and higher price.
Sources:
http://www.cambridgeshire.gov.uk/environment/sustainable/living/shopping.htm?wbc_purpose=Basic
http://www.green.cusu.cam.ac.uk/resources/littlegreenbook/1997/shop.html
http://www.pickyourown.org/organic.htm
Leave your response