Is it natural? Free of pesticides? Locally grown? Well not exactly. Here are some of the conditions food products must meet in order to be considered organic in the EU:. Natural fertilisers, such as compost and seaweed derivatives, are essential to maintaining fertile and healthy soil. So organic food must be grown with these products, rather than synthetic fertilisers that are used in conventional farming, and which tend to be made of harsher chemical ingredients including nitrogen compounds, phosphorus, and potassium.
Farmers need to fight weeds and pests. Organic farmers are only allowed to use naturally-derived pesticides, made from plants, animals, microorganisms, or minerals. For instance, essential oils, plant extracts, that are listed in the relevant regulation, and are authorised, following a process that implies a scientific committee to assess the effect on the environment", says Panichi.
Organic farms also have techniques such as crop rotation, or planting different crops on the same plot of land, to help to prevent soil-borne diseases. This rule is the same for organic meat and other livestock products. Toggle navigation. Corn a. A third party; an organic certifying agent; evaluates producers, processors, and handlers to determine whether they conform to an established set of operating guidelines called organic standards.
Those who conform are certified by the agent and allowed to use a logo, product statement, or certificate to document their product as certified organic.
In other words, the certifier vouches for the producer and assures buyers of the organic product's integrity How to check if a farm is really certified organic The USDA does maintain a database that you ca search in to check if a farm that is claiming to be certified as organicis. See this page Steps to Organic Certification The steps to becoming a certified organic producer are very basic. Identify a suitable certifier 2. Submit an application 3. Completeness Review 4.
On-farm inspection 5. What is organic food? The USDA says: Organic food is produced by farmers who emphasize the use of renewable resources and the conservation of soil and water to enhance environmental quality for future generations. Organic meat, poultry, eggs, and dairy products come from animals that are given no antibiotics or growth hormones.
Organic food is produced without using most conventional pesticides; fertilizers made with synthetic ingredients or sewage sludge; bioengineering; or ionizing radiation. Before a product can be labeled 'organic,' a Government-approved certifier inspects the farm where the food is grown to make sure the farmer is following all the rules necessary to meet USDA organic standards.
What are some other differences between conventional farming and organic farming? The Mayo Clinic provides this comparison: Conventional farmers Organic farmers Apply chemical fertilizers to promote plant growth. Apply natural fertilizers, such as manure or compost, to feed soil and plants.
Spray insecticides to reduce pests and disease. Use beneficial insects and birds, mating disruption or traps to reduce pests and disease. Use chemical herbicides to manage weeds. Rotate crops, till, hand weed or mulch to manage weeds. Give animals antibiotics, growth hormones and medications to prevent disease and spur growth. Give animals organic feed and allow them access to the outdoors.
Use preventive measures ; such as rotational grazing, a balanced diet and clean housing ; to help minimize disease. Buying organic will usually cost more because of the more labor-intensive process used to grow the food.
They also cost more due to the higher price of environmentally-friendly pesticides compared to conventional synthetic pesticides.
When safe, ecologically-balanced practices are used to grow your food, the local wildlife and vegetation are allowed to flourish, and local water sources are kept clean. Buying organic produce is an investment in a cleaner, healthier, more sustainable world. Knowing what makes fruit organic could make the decision to buy organic easier. As the peel is where most of the pesticides are found, buying organic also means that you can eat the peel as well as the flesh and enjoy a higher intake of fiber and nutrients.
What makes growing organic produce a lucrative endeavor is closely tied to your agricultural philosophy and willingness to experiment with different techniques. With a focus on resource cycling, the first years of organic production are likely to cost more as you bring in external inputs such as compost, manure, and develop native gardens and ponds to attract beneficial insects.
All users are urged to always seek advice from a registered health care professional for diagnosis and answers to their medical questions and to ascertain whether the particular therapy, service, product or treatment described on the website is suitable in their circumstances. The State of Victoria and the Department of Health shall not bear any liability for reliance by any user on the materials contained on this website.
Skip to main content. Healthy eating. Home Healthy eating. Organic food. Actions for this page Listen Print. Summary Read the full fact sheet. On this page. Organic farming Pesticides and other chemicals in organic food Organic food is a growing industry Reasons to buy organic food Organic food outlets Organic food certification Biodynamic food Organic gardening Where to get help.
Organic farming Animals raised using organic methods are treated humanely and with respect. Pesticides and other chemicals in organic food Organic foods are not necessarily completely chemical free. Also, some naturally occurring pesticides are permitted for use in organic farming and include: pyrethrins light oils copper sulphur biological substances such as Bacillus thuringiensis. Organic food is a growing industry The Australian organic food industry is booming. Reasons to buy organic food Most people buy organically-grown food products because they are concerned about pesticides, additives , antibiotics or other chemical residues and believe organic food is healthier.
Organic food and nutrition content Several studies have compared the nutritional content of organic and conventionally grown plants, and most have shown no significant differences in key vitamin and mineral content.
Although the differences are small — research has shown that some organic food has: Lower nitrate levels Higher vitamin C levels Higher levels of some minerals such as phosphorous, magnesium and iron. Organic food and ethics Organic foods promote more humane treatment of animals, as well as providing meat that is free from hormones and antibiotics. Organic food is better for the environment Organic foods promote healthier and more sustainable use of natural resources. Organic food certification Organic farms are only certified after they have been operating according to organic principles for three years.
Biodynamic food Biodynamic farming is a type of organic farming pioneered by Austrian philosopher Rudolf Steiner. In Australia, biodynamic foods are covered under national organic certification. Organic gardening As well as purchasing organic food products, many people are adopting a sustainable lifestyle by growing their own produce, keeping backyard chickens or setting up a beehive to make their own honey.
0コメント