Opting for organic foods can bring many advantages for both yourself and the planet, including improved physical health and environmental sustainability as well as animal welfare considerations. Some consumers choose organic for economic and political considerations too.
To qualify as “100% organic,” a product must contain only certified organic ingredients. To claim being “Made with organic,” however, 70% or more certified organic ingredients (excluding salt and water ) must be present.
Health Benefits
Organic ingredients offer multiple advantages for health and the environment. First of all, they’re healthier for humans since they lack toxic chemicals that contaminate soil and water supplies, plus they don’t harm animals and insects like traditional ingredients would.
Organic ingredients are produced using plants and animals sourced from farms that employ only natural methods when raising livestock or cultivating crops, and must also go through an intensive certification process to meet organic standards.
Studies indicate that organic foods provide greater nutrition than conventionally produced fruits, vegetables and dairy products. Organic fruits and vegetables contain lower nitrate levels as well as more vitamins, minerals and antioxidants than their nonorganic counterparts; organic meat and milk also boast greater omega-3 fatty acid content which may help prevent heart disease and depression.
Searching food labels for “100% organic,” “organic” or “made with organic” claims is the best way to ensure optimal health benefits.
Environmental Impact
If you’re concerned about your impact on the environment, organic ingredients might be an excellent way to go. Organic farming promotes sustainability; organic farms often employ strategies to decrease pollution and conserve water; they can help the ecosystem by reducing erosion while improving soil fertility and nutrition, and using less energy means reduced greenhouse gas emissions.
Organically produced food was found to have lower environmental impacts compared to conventionally farmed produce in eight indicators, such as acidification of Earth’s atmosphere, land use and biodiversity loss. However, its important to remember that your overall dietary impact will ultimately depend on what kinds of foods you choose rather than how they’re produced.
Look for products labeled as 100% organic to verify all their ingredients are grown or processed organically, while products that only contain small percentages may still qualify as “organic.” Alternatively, products containing at least 70% organically grown ingredients must also display an USDA-accredited certifier to qualify as such.
Cost
Organic food may be worth its extra cost for consumers who value environmental stewardship. Organic crops are grown without synthetic pesticides, herbicides or bioengineered genes being applied, helping preserve soil health while minimising water pollution and safeguarding biodiversity. When packaged goods use all-organic ingredients they also reflect these efforts of ecological preservation.
Organic ingredients also offer greater assurance that animal welfare practices are adhered to. This is particularly important for dairy and egg products which must travel considerable distances before reaching grocery stores, while conventional farms may use hormones or substances harmful to livestock that compromise animal welfare compared with organic farmers who must adhere to stringent care protocols when caring for their livestock.
Consumers purchasing all-organic foods can support local and small-scale producers while helping communities weather economic hardship. Furthermore, opting for organic versions of fruits, vegetables and other staples may reduce overall grocery bills.
Cooking With Organic Ingredients
Organic ingredients offer many health advantages beyond physical wellbeing, supporting local, small-scale farmers as well as natural ecosystems. Organic farms often employ techniques to reduce pollution, conserve water use efficiently, increase soil fertility and promote biodiversity – which all serve to benefit animals, plants and soil in their area.
Organic ingredients tend to be fresher, as they do not contain preservatives and tend to be produced on smaller farms in their local community. Their freshness also stems from not using synthetic pesticides and herbicides in production which help retain essential vitamins.
Search for the USDA organic seal on single-ingredient foods such as fruits, vegetables and meats. Multi-ingredient products containing at least 70% certified organic ingredients (excluding salt and water). While these may not display the USDA seal themselves but instead list these components prominently on their primary display panel.
