truth about organics

[old fashioned]

This article is 6 pages, with additional links within, but is very informative. Just an FYI, so you decide.


http://www.delish.com/recipes/cooking-recipes/organic-food-health-facts-0310

 

[Wifezilla]

Joel Salatin talks about this in his book "Everything I want to do is illegal". Agribusiness jumped all over the "organic" label.

 

[old fashioned]

You bet, it's become big buck$ and getting bigger. There was even a comment about the gvmt standards for "organic" being too broad like in the meat industry. The animals must have access to the outside, but it doesn't say under what conditions. Even feedlot animals have that much. Not to mention foods shipped in from other countries.

I didn't like the idea that it says to be labeled as 100% organic, only 95% of the product must be produced organically. WHAT ABOUT THE OTHER 5%????
And what about the list of products that are petitioned to be excluded from organic? Are these included in that 5%?

And my list of complaints can go on, and on, and on....

Another thought is as the "organic" business grows and more companies jump on that bandwagon, how much of it will fall in the "blind" spots as mentioned above? In other words, could it be possible someone like Monsanto be able to adjust it's practices just enough to fly under the radar??? (Not to say this is happening with Monsanto, but some big company that has it's eye on the $ over quality)

 

[noobiechickenlady]

For us at The Daily Green, the takeaway message is that we don't have to be organic purists to eat better. We try to eat local, seasonal, and organic foods, choosing each product as it makes sense for us and falls within our budget. We relish the fact that more choices are becoming available, and we vote with our food dollars for tastier, greener fare.

Who cares if it is 100% (or not :/ ) organic if it was picked before it was ripe & sat in a truck for days. And like you two have mentioned, there is really no authenticity to the organic label, its all about the money baby. Sad really.

ETA: Ok, eewwww, Sausage casings are one of those "doesn't have to be organic" So the pork meat that goes into the casing has to be organic, but the intestines that hold the sausage together don't? That somehow makes it worse...

 

[me&thegals]

As an organic grower, I'm going to put in my 2 cents I have dial-up and didn't read the article. I'm assuming it's about pollution of the organic label.

I am NOT certified, but I am headed toward that process. So far, everything I see reassures me as a consumer that, at least in WI, certified organic actually does have teeth. In fact, the regulations are so strict that they are a bit of a barrier to people trying to get certified.

I would have to put in a word for local. Then, you get to know the person raising your food, see how they do it, perhaps even put some time in at their farm (a requirement for my CSA members). This builds understanding and trust, trust that what is being said is actually being done.

Ok, heading back off my soap box (to go make soap!)

 

[old fashioned]

I should have replied sooner here, but I've been on a few soap boxes myself
Actually the article is geared more toward the gvt leaving room for "interpretation" of the use of the organic label & how the food industry is basically contaminating those loop holes.
But definately NOT bashing private farms doing the right thing. It does address some private farms that can't or won't get certified because of the regulations. They are still growing their produce organically and their customers know it, they're just not certified.

And I think you're right about building the trust between farmer & consumer & I think that is the most important factor. Much more so than a label, especially from a government most of us don't trust anyway.
I do apologize if I've offended you or anyone who reads this that is farming responsibly, that was never my intent. Just to show that labels that read "organic" aren't always what consumers are led to believe. Atleast at the grocery store anyway!

 

[abifae]

you just have to be a careful reader.

"all natural" is VERY different from organic. lol. "no artificial..." needs read.

my step dad says "dog ****'s natural. you gonna eat that?" and that about sums up the organics dispute LOL.

for instance, meat and eggs are the hardest to know if "free range" really means they spend ALL their time outdoors, or one hour a day they let sunlight in... is grass fed really grass fed or do they supplement grains, especially at the end to fatten them?

so i buy from smaller farms. as old fashioned said... it's the bigger businesses cashing in that are the issue. if you buy directly from someone you know what you are actually getting. if you really want organic you'll go local, in my opinion.

our farmer's market is open! *going to buy a cow share*