Organic foods are defined as those foods that are grown without the use of synthetic fertilizers, sewage sludge, irradiation, genetic engineering, pesticides, or drugs. For more information visit https://www.eclipseorganics.com.au
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Organic Foods v/s Non-Organic foods
Food labels in the supermarket can be confusing when it comes to determining
what food is organic and what is not. And like many people, you are probably
wondering exactly what the term ‘organic’ means. This is where the concept of
an organic store steps in. The food that you buy from an organic health food
store is different from your regular food products because it is grown and
processed using organic farming methods, which exclude certain practices that
are considered normal in the mass production of non-organic foods.
Experts have established a wide range of benefits organic farming offers for the
environment, such as less water pollution and better soil quality. Organic
produce and even organic meats, which come from livestock that have been
raised without the use of antibiotics, also have higher levels of certain nutrients
and fewer pesticide residues.
Below is a direct comparison between food from an organic shop and non-
organic products:
1. Chemicals: Organic foods are defined as those foods that are grown without
the use of synthetic fertilizers, sewage sludge, irradiation, genetic engineering,
pesticides, or drugs. Non-organic foods are either directly manufactured with or
are indirectly contaminated by synthetic fertilizers or sewage sludge or
irradiation or genetic engineering or pesticides or drugs.
2. Aesthetics: Many people argue that organic food looks and feels different
from non-organic food. They feel conventional food items almost look too
‘perfect’, whereas organic produce resembles the fresh fruit and veggies in their
backyard garden with non-symmetrical shapes, varying colors and blemishes.
3. Nutrition: The British Journal of Nutrition published a paper that evaluated
343 studies on the topic, and decidedly concluded that food from an organic
health food store is truly the healthier option because it contains up to 69%
more antioxidants than non-organic foods. The study also showed that organic
foods have considerably less cadmium (a toxic metal) and pesticide residue.
Another way to figure out the difference between food from an organic store
and non-organic food is by looking at three concerns:
Organic produce: Farmers control weeds in the crop areas through natural
means, such as pulling them by hand, tilling, mulching, and rotating crops. Only
natural fertilizers, such as compost and manure are used. No fertilizers are
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derived from sewage sludge, which is the residue left over after human waste is
processed. Farmers ward off animal pests using only natural methods, such as
deploying natural predators such as insects, birds or traps, and using natural
pesticides.
Organic meat, dairy and eggs: The source animals are given organic feed that
has no hormones and is not genetically modified. The animals eat only this
organic feed or graze on natural grass. The animals are also provided access to
outdoor space for fresh air, exercise, shade, shelter, and clean drinking water.
Farmers use natural means to prevent disease in the animals, such as rotational
grazing, ensuring animal housing is clean, and providing the animals with
access to a healthy diet.
Non-organic produce: Farmers eradicate weeds using chemical herbicides, and
pests using chemical pesticides. Chemical fertilizers are used to assist growth in
food that is grown in the conventional way.
If you are looking to buy products from an organic shop, nutritionists
recommend buying local fruits and vegetables that are in season because they
are the freshest and the cheapest.