What does organic really mean?

Question

What's so great about organic foods? I mean, what makes them healthier than regular foods? And how do you "go organic"? What things do you need to change to organic? Thanks :)

Answer 1

Organic food are classified as "organics," because the farmers don't use pesticide and chemicals on those food products. They are great, because you are not eating any chemical product with your food. You go organic by purchasing food products that are labeled organic, but be careful, because there are some frauds out there. Make sure they are approved by fda as an organic product. Try buying organic foods and vegetables.

Answer 2

It has to do with how your food is raised, be it animal or vegetable.  In vegetables it means that what you eat is grown without pesticides, or growth accelerators.  In meat it means that the animal was raised without things like growth hormones and antibiotics.  As consumers, we are not necessarily informed when our food has been altered if it has been approved by the FDA.  Going organic is one way to insure that you have a little more control over what you intake.  The FDA has approved several companies for organic production, so read your labels.

Answer 3

Actually "organic" is a legal term and all it means is that the food was produced in accordance with the laws regarding that type of "organic" product.

Organic does not necessarily mean healthier.  The best and healthiest food is usually the food that is grown closest to home.

Answer 4

organic is a method of farming that is regulated by the USDA.

An organic farm may not use synthetic pesticides or fertilizers but can use naturally derived pesticides and fertilizers. No genetically modified organisms can be used nor sewage sludge. Farms must practice crop rotation, use all certified organic/OMRI approved inputs (fertilizers, insecticides, fungicides, herbicides, seeds, etc..), keep accurate records of all inputs, harvest and sales.

Livestock must not be fed GMO's, antibiotics, growth hormones or any synthetic drugs. Homeopathy is allowed. All animals must have free access to the out of doors and cannot be caged. they must be fed certified organic grain and hay and be grazed on certified organic pasture. Any animals administered drugs must be removed from the herd and is no longer considered organic and cannot be sold as such

It takes 3 years for a farm to transition from conventional to organic and during that time the land must be farmed as if it were certified organic. The farm is inspected annually by an organic inspector who works for an approved certifyer. See http://www.ams.usda.gov/nop.

At this point in time there is little scientific peer reviewed "proof" that organic food is healthier but there is an increasing body of work pointing that way. http://www.organicconsumers.org has many of those papers on its' site. Organic livestock is definetly better because the animals are not caged, get outside and are feed a much better diet than factory farmed meat. Better fed and cared for animals produce better meat, dairy and eggs.

Buying food products with the USDA organic seal one way to go organic. Checking out local organic and sustainable farms and buying direct from the farmer via farmers markets or CSA's is even better

Answer 5

Organic basically means without pesticides, no harmful stuff. organic tomatoes or fruits are grown without out pesticides, and organic chicken I guess is made without using steroids, or other chemicals they put in meat. When you go organic, you only eat natural products, no preservatives, no chemicals, just  the real raw food.