What is Organic Food ? and Why Organic Food?

Meaning -

Organic food is food that has been grown or farmed without the use of artificial chemicals, hormones, antibiotics or generally modified organisms. The product must also not contain artificial colours, sweeteners, etc. It means more nature, wildlife and biodiversity.

This food tends to use natural fertilizers like manure, humus to improve crop health and growth.

Organic farming helps to improve the overall quality of soil as the soil gets various nutrients from the humus and manure which are used as fertilizers. Humus makes the soil softer and more fertile. Manure also helps improve the quality of soil.

Farmers growing organic crops focus on activities such as mulching, hand weeding, crop rotation, etc. to enrich the soil in which they are growing the crops.

How to check for organic food -

If you see a food product having a certified organic seal, it means that the contents of the food product are 95% organic and only the remaining 5% content is inorganic.

Then there is the 100% label which indicates that the contents used to make the food product are all organic, no inorganic product or substance has been used.

Benefits -

There are several benefits of organic foods over those that are non-organic-

·       Organic food contains fewer pesticides than foods that are conventionally grown. Conventional foods use several form of pesticides that remain in them and are consumed by us.

·       Organic food is fresher because it does not contains preservatives to make it last longer unlike conventional food.

·       Organic farming is better for the environment. It reduces pollution, conserves water, reduces soil erosion, soil fertility, etc.

·       Organic meat and milk are very rich in nutrients. These have up to 50% more Omega 3 fatty acids than their conventional counterparts. They also have slightly higher amounts of other nutrients.

·       Uses lesser fossil fuel energy.

·       Protects our biodiversity by maintaining suitable habitats for plants, animals, etc.

·       Organic farming methods increase soil carbon which leads to less greenhouse gases.

Are they safer?

It has been found that consuming organic foods reduces exposure to pesticides and consumption of organic pork and chicken reduces exposure to antibiotic resistant bacteria. Organic foods are grown without chemicals and pesticides. They are safer for one’s body in the long run. The residue chemical in conventional foods starts to collect in our bodies slowly and cause severe problems. The same goes for other animals and plants.

Products -

•  Foods and vegetables  
•  Grains  
• Legumes   
• Nuts and seeds
•  Dairy products and eggs
•  Livestock feed 
• Meat and poultry   
• Organic wine

Crop diversity -

Organic farming encourages crop diversity. Crop diversity helps the crops as well as the soil to flourish, also preventing the crops from going extinct. It also increases the number of benefactory insects and micro-organisms.

Organic wine -

Organic wine is made from grapes and is made keeping the nature in mind, excluding the use of any harmful substances. Organic wine is made in vineyards where those grapes are used which have been produced organically leading to organic wine.

The organic wine market has left the natural wine market behind and signifies the overall growth and importance of the field of organic products.