The difference between organic and conventional food begins with the production process. Conventional farmers have the option to use things like pesticides, fertilizers containing synthetic ingredients, sewage sludge (the semi-solid waste by-product from municipal sewage treatment plants), or bioengineering to help produce their crops. Organic farmers, on the other hand, use none of these things. Instead, they use strategies like crop rotation, mulching, and manure to help grow their products.
This difference applies equally to plant and animal products. For example, animals used to produce organic products, such as meat, poultry, eggs, and dairy products are given no antibiotics or growth hormones. The following table lists the differences between conventional and organic farming:
Conventional | Organic |
---|---|
Use chemical fertilizers to promote plant growth | Apply natural fertilizers, such as manure or compost to feed the soil and plants |
Apply insecticides to reduce pests and disease | Use beneficial insects (insects that eat other insects) and birds to reduce pests and disease |
May use antibiotics, growth hormones, and medicines to promote growth and prevent disease | Give animals organic feed; rely on preventive measures, rotational grazing, a balanced diet, and clean housing to reduce disease |
The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has national organic standards for agricultural products. These standards regulate the way all foods bearing the USDA organic label are grown, handled, and processed. The only exception to these standards is small organic farmers who sell less than $5,000 a year in organic foods.
These standards mean that organic products, from anywhere in the country, now fall into four categories. Only two categories are allowed to display the USDA organic label. The following table lists these categories and outlines what products making these claims may and may not contain.
USDA Organic Food Labeling Requirements | ||
---|---|---|
Label | Organic Seal | Description |
100% organic products | can display the USDA organic seal |
|
Organic products | can display the USDA organic seal |
|
Made with organic ingredients (or similar statement) | cannot display the USDA organic seal. |
|
Made with some organic ingredients | cannot display the USDA organic seal |
|
People who choose to “go organic” do so for many more reasons. Here is a list of things you may want to keep in mind while making up your own mind:
In the end, deciding whether buying organic is right for you will be a highly personal decision. Here are some additional buying tips to keep in mind:
RESOURCES:
The National Organic Program
http://www.ams.usda.gov/AMSv1.0/nop/
US Department of Agriculture
http://www.usda.gov/
CANADIAN RESOURCES:
Canadian Council on Food and Nutrition
http://www.ccfn.ca/
Healthy Canadians
http://www.healthycanadians.gc.ca/
References
Labeling packaged products under the national organic standards. US Department of Agriculture website. Available at: http://www.ams.usda.gov/AMSv1.0/getfile?dDocName=STELPRDC5078591acct=nopgeninfo. Published July 27, 2010. Accessed March 11, 2010.
Organic food standards and labels: The facts. The National Organic Program website. Available at: http://www.ams.usda.gov/nop/consumers/brochure.html . March 16, 2008.
Organic foods: new options with growing differences. The Mayo Clinic website. Available at: http://www.mayoclinic.com/invoke.cfm?objectid=039DC948-6412-41AE-A46232789E371DC5 . Accessed July 29, 2003.
Organic production and organic food: information access tools. U.S. Department of Agriculture website. Available at: http://www.nal.usda.gov/afsic/pubs/ofp/ofp.shtml . Accessed March 16, 2008.
Understanding organic labeling. National Organic Program, US Department of Agriculture website. Available at: http://www.ams.usda.gov/AMSv1.0/ams.fetchTemplateData.do?template=TemplateAnavID=NationalOrganicProgramleftNav=NationalOrganicProgrampage=NOPUnderstandingOrganicLabelingdescription=Understanding%20Organic%20Labelingacct=nopgeninfo . Updated February 2010. Accessed March 11, 2010.
Veneman marks implementation of USDA national organic standards. US Department of Agriculture website. Available at: http://www.usda.gov/news/releases/2002/10/0453.htm . Accessed September 12, 2003.
Last reviewed March 2010 by Brian Randall, MD
Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
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