The Low-Down on Eating Organic

Why is it important to eat organically?

Chemicals and pesticides are applied to crops to help them grow quicker and to ward off pests. Antibiotics are given to livestock to keep them healthy in unhealthy living conditions. The foods we eat have been sprayed and dosed with substances that are foreign to our bodies. Organic farming began when some farmers decided they wanted to protect people and the environment from these compounds.

When you eat organic you are helping to:

• Protect the environment by cutting down on the chemicals released into our ecosystem

• Support farmers who want to return to a natural approach

• Support sustainability in farming-many farmers use crop rotation to keep the soil enriched, aiding in the growth of the food. Crop rotation can also help protect against pests by affecting their cycles.

• Keep chemicals from accumulating up the food chain and into our bodies

How do I know when a product is organic, and can anybody put an organic label on their food?

For a product to be certified organic it must be approved by a government official. Canada has a new organic logo that can be placed on products that are certified organic according to Canadian standards.

Here are some things to help make shopping organic easier. If the product states:

• 100% Organic: entirely organically produced ingredients

• Organic: if the product is at least 95% organic

• Made with Organic Ingredients: if 70% of the ingredients in the product are organic

• Some Organic Ingredients: less than 70%

Also remember that buying something that states the product is free range, naturally grown, or antibiotic free does not mean that it is: these terms are not strictly regulated. The label has to say certified organic or specific standards have not been met.

Where can I start if I want to incorporate some organic foods into my diet?

Eating organic can put a strain on the wallet, and so if you are looking to reduce some of your exposure to chemicals try buying some of the following organic:

Meat is the most important food to eat organic. Animals are often given hormones and other medications that can be present in the meat. The feed the animals consume can also be treated with chemicals such as pesticides and herbicides. Organic farmers use natural breeding methods, try to minimize the amount of stress to the animals, and are generally concerned with animal health and welfare. Certified organic meat contains no synthetic growth regulators or hormones, and there are strict regulations on the environment that the animals live in, for example the animals must have access to the outdoors for a specified amount of time.

Produce:  Environmental Working Group, a non-profit organization that strives to help protect public health and the environment through research and public awareness has published information about the amount of pesticides found on products.

Top Fruits             Top Vegetables
Nectarines              Celery
Apples                    Bell Peppers
Pears                      Spinach
Peaches                  Potatoes
Strawberries
Cherries

*Remember that whether you buy organic produce or not, make sure you wash it thoroughly!

Coffee is another product that you may want to buy organic. Since many countries do not regulate the use of chemicals on crops, coffee can have high amounts of these harmful compounds. Try buying an organic fair trade coffee next time you are in the grocery store. This also helps support the farmers by ensuring they are paid fairly for the coffee.

WANT TO LEARN MORE ABOUT CHEMICALS AND THE IMPACT ON THE ENVIRONMENT? CHECK OUT RACHEL CARSON’S BOOK “SILENT SPRING”, WRITTEN IN THE 1960S, WHICH OPENED UP MANY PEOPLE’S EYES ON THE CHEMICALS THAT WERE ALLOWED TO BE USED IN FOOD PRODUCTION.

ALSO CHECK OUT THE CHECK OUT CANADIAN ORGANIC GROWERS FOR MORE INFORMATION ON EATING ORGANIC IN CANADA.

Carrie Dancey
RHN
Bundles of Energy