Organic ingredients can help reduce your exposure to chemicals, pesticides and hormones in your diet while supporting local farmers and the environment.
Products labeled 100% organic must contain only ingredients that have been certified organic, while processed food marketed as “made with organic ingredients” must contain at least 70% certified organic ingredients and list them on their ingredient panel.
Health Benefits
Many people select organic foods because they believe them to be more healthy. Organic farms utilize natural fertilizers and pesticides instead of synthetic ones when farming organic ingredients; in addition, no GMOs (genetically modified organisms) exist within organic ingredients.
Consumers purchasing organic products also are supporting family-run farms, helping local economies, while enjoying fresher food as they don’t contain preservatives that extend shelf life.
Organic produce is often harvested when it’s ready, which means the full flavor has been extracted. Organic meat and dairy products provide the optimal balance of omega-6 to omega-3 fatty acids which reduce heart disease risk.
Product labels that state “made with organic [name of ingredient]” indicate at least 70% of their ingredients have been certified organic. While these products cannot display the USDA organic seal, they should identify their certifier in case there are questions about the claim of being made with organic ingredients. Consumers with any inquiries about any such claim can reach out directly to that certifier for help.
Environmental Benefits
Organic farming techniques play an essential role in protecting the environment. Conventional farms utilize chemical fertilizers and pesticides that pollute nearby rivers and streams with dangerous levels of pollution, poisoning drinking water sources while leading to toxic algae blooms that threaten marine life. Organic farmers avoid this situation altogether by not applying sewage sludge – a mixture of human waste mixed with chemicals – on their crops.
Organic foods don’t contain genetically modified organisms (GMOs). Nonorganic fruits and vegetables typically have higher pesticide loads; organic produce, on the other hand, is grown without synthetic fungicides, herbicides and insecticides – not to mention that dairy cows fed organic grass instead of hormone-infused grain!
Labeled organic products contain at least 95% organic ingredients excluding salt and water, while products containing only one certified organic ingredient may still qualify for labeling as organic. Multi-ingredient agricultural products claiming “made with organic” must contain at least 70% organic ingredients while up to 30% of these may come from an approved list of additional ingredients.
Economic Benefits
Organic production faces many hurdles, chief among them the high cost of its produce. These costs arise from factors like land usage for growing crops, organic fertilizer prices and using natural animal feed as well as certification processes.
An organic food product must contain at least 95% certified organic ingredients (excluding salt and water), with the remaining non-organic components manufactured without synthetic pesticides, chemical fertilizers, GMO products or irradiation. Meat must also be raised without antibiotics or growth hormones before being processed at an organic facility.
Organic farming may take more time and money, but its results are healthier and more environmentally-friendly. Another advantage of organic foods is they tend to stay fresher longer because they lack preservatives used by traditional stores to lengthen shelf life. Plus, most organic fruit and vegetable farms operate locally so their produce travels less distance to reach consumers.
Social Benefits
Organic products are grown, harvested and processed on smaller farms that prioritize sustainability and environmental stewardship. By not using synthetic chemicals such as fertilizers or herbicides to preserve soil health and decrease water pollution levels, they also protect wildlife such as birds and insects. By selecting organic ingredients in packaged goods as part of your lifestyle choices you help support these efforts and can potentially contribute to improved health outcomes over time – such as reduced risks of certain diseases.
Consumer demand for organic foods can help promote sustainable agriculture in other parts of the world where farmers struggle with poverty and limited resources, providing economic benefits without increasing foreign aid dependency. By purchasing organic ingredients directly, purchasing can also support domestic and international policies that ensure equitable prices for farmers; though organic prices often tend to be higher than non-organic counterparts leading to unequal access by low-income households; but organic industry members are working tirelessly to address this concern with direct farm sales through online shopping platforms or farmer markets.
