What Does "Organic" Really Mean?
Start writing a post
Health and Wellness

What Does "Organic" Really Mean?

It's not what you're probably expecting.

18
What Does "Organic" Really Mean?

Most of us know people who only buy organic meat and produce or only eat at organic restaurants. But, why do they do that? When did the negative stigma associated with organic products begin? Why are people willing to pay significantly higher prices for essentially the same goods?

Recently, companies have started to utilize fear-based marketing where they market non-organic goods as bad for you, unhealthy, or even dangerous. They have little to no scientific evidence to back up their claims, but nonetheless, people believe them because there really isn't anyone telling them differently.

Here a few little known facts about organic goods to help you make up your own mind!

1. Organic goods can be cultivated using chemicals or pesticides. 

The USDA allows organic certified farmers to use many types of substances for fertilizer and pesticides. Check out this link for a complete list of substances allowed and not allowed.

2. Organic food is not healthier. 

It's literally the same exact product, just cultivated a little differently. Organic ice cream is still not healthy!

3. Organic doesn't mean local farm. 

I'm not sure where this rumor started, but all "organic" means is that farmers cannot use synthetic substances found in pesticides and chemical fertilizers. Organic produce does not have to come from a local or family farm. The label "certified organic" is reserved for products that comply with the regulations set by the USDA. Read more about that here!

4. Organic does not mean fresh. 

Again, the label "certified organic" is related to the cultivation process of a specific crop, not how fresh or healthy a product is. Don't be fooled!

5. "Meat-raised organically" means animals were allowed to graze or be free-range, fed 100% organic feed and not given any antibiotics. There are things this doesn't include...

At first, this seems to sound pretty reasonable, but let's take a closer look. Animals are still allowed to get vaccines to hopefully prevent many common diseases and keep the animals healthy. However, if an animal does become ill then they are not allowed to receive any antibiotics and cannot be treated, allowing the animal to suffer.

There is also little to no scientific evidence that grass-fed beef is any healthier than grain-fed or that organically fed animals produce leaner meat.

6. Organic does not mean GMO-free. 

Organic products and GMO products are two totally different things. Read this article to learn more about the difference between GMO products and organic products.

7. Organic is not significantly better that non-organic goods. 

Both sides of this argument are relatively subjective and there are studies that could back up both sides. When presented the real evidence, a few things are automatically clear. Yes, there are harmful pesticides, but many of those have been banned and produce is washed multiple times after harvest. You are never eating pesticide soaked tomatoes, I promise. Whatever your opinion is, be sure you are educating yourself with reliable sources!

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Featured

No Sex And Upstate New York

A modern-day reincarnation of Carrie Bradshaw's classic column

59
Pinterest

Around the age of 12, when I was deciding whether or not to be gay, Satan appeared on my left shoulder. “Ramsssey,” he said with that telltale lisp. “Come over to our side. We have crazy partiessss.” He made a strong case, bouncing up and down on my shoulder with six-pack abs and form-fitting Calvin Kleins. An angel popped up on the other shoulder and was going to warn me about something, but Satan interrupted- “Shut up, you crusty-ass bitch!’ The angel was pretty crusty. She disappeared, and from that moment forward I was gay.

Keep Reading... Show less
Featured

To The Classes That Follow

I want you to want to make the most of the years that are prior to Senior year

628
To The Classes That Follow
Senior Year Is Here And I Am So Not Ready For It

I was you not that long ago. I was once an eager freshman, a searching sophomore, and a know-it-all junior. Now? Now I am a risk taker. Not the type that gets you in trouble with your parents, but the type that changes your future. Senior year is exciting. A lot of awesome things come along with being the top-dog of the school, but you, right now, are building the foundation for the next 4 years that you will spend in high school. I know you've heard it all. "Get involved", "You'll regret not going to prom", "You're going to miss this". As redundant as these seem, they're true. Although I am just at the beginning of my senior year, I am realizing how many lasts I am encountering.

Keep Reading... Show less
Featured

The Power Of Prayer Saved My Best Friend's Life

At the end of the day, there is something out there bigger than all of us, and to me, that is the power of prayer.

2161
Julie Derrer

Imagine this:

Keep Reading... Show less
Featured

Why Driving Drives Me Crazy

the highways are home

1756

With Halloween quickly approaching, I have been talking to coworkers about what scares us. There are always the obvious things like clowns, spiders, heights, etc. But me? There are a number things I don't like: trusting strangers, being yelled at, being in life or death situations, parallel parking. All of these are included when you get behind the wheel of a car.

Keep Reading... Show less
Baseball Spring Training Is A Blast In Arizona
Patricia Vicente

Nothing gets me more pumped up than the nice weather and the sights and sounds of the baseball season quickly approaching.

Keep Reading... Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments