Many people choose to buy organic foods because they believe these products are safer and healthier for the environment as well as for them personally. Purchasing organic food helps to reduce the exposure to pesticides and other chemicals that are widely used in conventional agriculture. In addition, people with certain allergies to foods, preservatives or other substances may find that their symptoms improve when they eat organically grown foods.
Compared to foods grown using usual (conventional) methods, organic foods tend to cost more. This higher price is due in part to the fact that organically grown crops require more labor and effort to cultivate and harvest. In addition, the Organic Food NZ supply chain includes more transporting and processing steps than do conventional food chains.
When shopping for organic foods, it is important to read labels carefully because the term “organic” can be misleading. Some products that are marketed as organic actually do not comply with all of the USDA’s regulations. The organic label should only be applied to those foods that have been grown, handled and processed according to the regulations of the USDA National Organic Program.
Organically grown foods should not contain any synthetic fertilizers, pesticides or herbicides. They also must not be treated with synthetic waxes or any other artificial preservatives. Moreover, meats and dairy products must be free of antibiotics and growth hormones. Organic food production must also minimize the amount of pollution caused by the farmland and waterways.
Some studies have shown that organic foods have greater nutritional content than do similar conventionally grown foods. For example, some comparative studies have found that organic produce typically has lower nitrate levels and fewer pesticide residues, and that it contains more vitamins, phenolic compounds, and flavonoids. However, it is difficult to establish a simple relationship between the composition of food and health benefits because there are so many variables such as plant fertilization, ripening, and weather conditions.
A number of studies have reported that people who eat a diet that is mostly organic have a lower risk of some diseases, such as cancer and heart disease. Other studies have linked organic food consumption with lower rates of eczema and other allergic reactions in children. Although these findings are promising, more research is needed before conclusions can be drawn.
Some people who want to eat more organically grown foods do so because they prefer the taste and texture of these foods. Other reasons include a desire to support local farmers and a concern about the environmental impact of large-scale industrial farming. Organic foods can be purchased in supermarkets, grocery stores and at some restaurants and farmers markets. They are also available in some health-food stores and co-ops. Increasingly, however, they are being sold at mass merchandisers and club stores such as Walmart, Costco, Kroger and Safeway. The Organic Trade Association, a non-profit trade group, monitors government agencies, takes positions on legislation that affects organic food and farming, produces a large convention and trade show focusing on organic products, and provides information about the industry and scientific research.