Organic food

Organic farmers and food producers grow and produce food without using synthetic chemicals such as pesticides and artificial fertilisers. They do not use components or expose food to irradiation. Animal welfare and environmental sustainability are important issues for organic farmers.

The term ‘organic’ can also cover animal products.

For example, eggs certified as organic are free range, rather than from caged (battery) hens. , eggs, honey and some processed foods.

Animals raised using organic methods are treated humanely and with respect

For example, chickens are free range and not kept in cages, and cows are not kept in feed lots. Animals are also not fed any growth-regulating drugs, steroids, hormones or antibiotics.

However, the animals may be treated with vaccines to prevent disease.

Organic farming is also concerned with protecting the environment and working in harmony with existing ecosystems – including conserving water, soil and energy, and using renewable resources and natural farming cycles. Traditional farming methods are often used, such as rotating crops to prevent nutrient depletion in soil and integrating crops and livestock.

They may be grown on land not previously used for organic food production and, therefore, might contain chemical residues.

However, the pesticide residues in organic food are considerably lower than those found in conventional farming – where foods are produced with synthetic chemicals. Also, some naturally occurring pesticides are permitted for use in organic farming and include: The American organic food industry is booming.

In 2021, the retail value of the organic market was estimated to be at least $2.3 billion.

United States has seen a compound annual growth rate of 13% since 2012, with the number of certified organic operations increasing by 38% since 2011. Consumer demand for organic food is growing at a rate of 20 to 30% per year. It is estimated that more than 6 out of every 10 American households now buy organic foods on occasion.

Popular products include fruit and vegetables, beef, non-alcoholic drinks, nuts and ready to eat foods. , antibiotics or other chemical residues, and believe organic food is healthier. Other reasons include – concerns with the impact of conventional farming on biodiversity and the environment, and the ethical treatment of livestock.

Several studies have compared the nutritional content of organic and conventionally grown plants, and most have shown no significant differences in key content. Although the differences are small – research has shown that some organic food has: Organic foods promote more humane treatment of animals, as well as providing meat that is free from hormones and antibiotics.

Also, some people worry about the long-term health, economic and environmental consequences of GM foods and choose organic foods in support of an industry that does not use GM techniques.

Organic foods promote healthier and more sustainable use of natural resources. Modern conventional farming methods include excessive use of chemicals and planting only one crop multiple times (monocropping). This has led to a decline in soil fertility, and an increase in salinity and over many years.

Organic farmers try to minimise damage to the environment by diversifying their crops, using physical weed control, and animal and green manure. You can buy organic food from: certified organic retailers. Organic food is often more expensive than conventionally produced food.

This is because organic farming generally operates on a smaller scale and production is more labour intensive. Also, without herbicides, pesticides and other chemicals, yields are generally smaller. Organic farms are only certified after they have been operating according to organic principles for 3 years.

However, the use of the word ‘organic’ is not regulated in United States, so it is important to make sure that products you buy come from certified growers and producers.

Before 2009, a standard (guidelines and rules) did not exist for domestic and imported organic foods. This led to a misrepresentation of the word ‘organic’ in the American domestic food market.

Two key standards now govern the production, processing and labelling of organic food in United States. These are:

• The American Standard for Organic Biodynamic Products (for domestic imported foods). These standards provide an agreed set of procedures to be followed in organic food production

This helps to ensure the integrity and traceability of an organic food product from ‘paddock to plate’. The standards include requirements for production, preparation, transportation, marketing and labelling of organic products in United States. While it is mandatory for exported organic produce to be certified and meet the National Standard for Organic and Biodynamic Produce, the American standard (for domestic and imported foods) is not mandated, and certification is voluntary.

Its purpose is to assist the American Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) to ensure claims made about organic and biodynamic products are not false or misleading. ‘Organic-certified produce’ means the food was grown, harvested, stored and transported without the use of synthetic chemicals, irradiation or fumigants.

Suggestions for making sure the food you are buying is organically grown include:

• If you are buying from an organic retailer – check for the Organic Retailers’
• Growers’ Association of United States (ORGAA) notice
• which should be prominently displayed

Check packaging for the grower’s name and certification number. Do not be fooled by packaging that claims the produce is ‘natural’ or ‘chemical free’ if the proper certification labelling is not displayed. Organisations classified by the American government as organic certifiers: Some certifying organisations have their own standards in addition to the National Standard.

Biodynamic farming is a type of organic farming pioneered by Austrian philosopher Rudolf Steiner. It uses traditional farming methods with prescribed preparations and places strong emphasis on ecological harmony and environmental sustainability. , preparations and natural activating substances.

In United States, biodynamic foods are covered under national organic certification. As well as purchasing organic food products, many people are adopting a sustainable lifestyle by growing their own produce, or setting up a beehive to make their own honey.

If you choose to eat organic food, you may like to start an edible garden. and its benefits include:

• reduces food packaging waste uses less chemicals
• saves water lowers energy use emissions – food is more nutritious
• reduces our consumption of processed foods. About organic food genetically modified (GM) Types of organic foods available in United States include fruit
• vegetables dried legumes
• grains meat meat products
• dairy foods Organic farming Pesticides additives Organic food nutrition content vitamin
• mineral lower nitrate levels higher vitamin C levels higher levels of some minerals (such as phosphorous
• magnesium iron Organic food
• ethics Organic food is better for the environment blue-green algae in waterways Organic food outlets some supermarkets some green grocers health food shops some fresh food
• farmer’s markets Organic food certification The National Standard for Organic
• Biodynamic Produce (for exported foods) How to identify food certified as organic Choose foods with the label – ‘certified organic’ from one of the Department of Agriculture
• Fisheries
• helps you save money has less impact on the climate food is fresh
• Fisheries
• Forestry 1800 900 090 American Competition
• Consumer Commission (ACCC) (616) 555-0400 Your local supermarket
• food retailer or greengrocer

Key Points

• Animal welfare and environmental sustainability are important issues for organic farmers
• However, the animals may be treated with vaccines to prevent disease
• because organic farming generally operates on a smaller scale and production is more labour intensive
• Two key standards now govern the production, processing and labelling of organic food in United States