Organic food is produced without the use of chemical pesticides, fertilizers, or genetically modified organisms. It is produced using methods that preserve biodiversity and avoid pollution of water sources. Some benefits of organic food include the absence of harmful chemical residues, enhanced antioxidant properties, and support of animal welfare and soil health. While organic food has been produced for centuries, modern certification standards help consumers identify fully organic products in the marketplace.

1. Organic foodOrganic food
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2. IntroductionIntroduction
Organic foods have been making rounds since past few years and
even health experts are emphasizing on their benefits.
Surprisingly, organic food is nothing new to humankind as our
ancestors used to eat the same quality food when there were no
chemicals and fertilizers.

3. What is organic foodWhat is organic food
 The production of organic food is carried out in harmony withThe production of organic food is carried out in harmony with
the nature and not against it.the nature and not against it.
 There are certain set of principles that are to be followed forThere are certain set of principles that are to be followed for
producing organic food that is 100% natural and great to taste.producing organic food that is 100% natural and great to taste.

4. PrinciplesPrinciples
 Consideration for highest standards for animal welfareConsideration for highest standards for animal welfare
 No use of chemical pesticides and fertilizersNo use of chemical pesticides and fertilizers
 Avoid the use of organisms that are genetically modifiedAvoid the use of organisms that are genetically modified
 The food production makes use of comparatively less energyThe food production makes use of comparatively less energy
of fossil fuel per calorieof fossil fuel per calorie
 The aim is to protect the biodiversity in the nature by trying toThe aim is to protect the biodiversity in the nature by trying to
maintain appropriate animals, plants and wildlife.maintain appropriate animals, plants and wildlife.

5. Is it New to This World?Is it New to This World?
Certainly not! Hundreds of years back when there were noCertainly not! Hundreds of years back when there were no
chemical fertilizers and pesticides, humans used to produce theirchemical fertilizers and pesticides, humans used to produce their
crops on the fertile banks of the rivers and the crop thuscrops on the fertile banks of the rivers and the crop thus
produced were 100 percent natural and great to taste.produced were 100 percent natural and great to taste.

6. Why should you switch Over to OrganicWhy should you switch Over to Organic
Food?Food?
Produced Under Strict StandardsProduced Under Strict Standards
Organic food is usually produced under strict standards in mostOrganic food is usually produced under strict standards in most
of the countries.of the countries.
You will find special labels certified by the government ofYou will find special labels certified by the government of
respective countries pasted on these product packagingrespective countries pasted on these product packaging
No Use of Harmful ChemicalsNo Use of Harmful Chemicals
These food products are produced using organic manure soThese food products are produced using organic manure so
that the crops thus produced do not contain a single trace ofthat the crops thus produced do not contain a single trace of
harmful chemicals that are dangerous to health.harmful chemicals that are dangerous to health.

7. Prioritizing Animal WelfarePrioritizing Animal Welfare
Animal welfare is the basic purpose of organic farming.Animal welfare is the basic purpose of organic farming.
The animals are reared and bred on naturally growingThe animals are reared and bred on naturally growing
grasslands that are devoid of any chemicals, pesticides orgrasslands that are devoid of any chemicals, pesticides or
herbicidesherbicides..
Maintaining Healthy SoilMaintaining Healthy Soil
Organic farmers make it their routine to maintain theOrganic farmers make it their routine to maintain the
health of the soil so that the future generation will too gethealth of the soil so that the future generation will too get
a healthy soil for crop production.a healthy soil for crop production.

8. Protection of WaterwaysProtection of Waterways
Since no chemical pollutants are released in the waterways,Since no chemical pollutants are released in the waterways,
the purity and the natural ecosystem habitat are protectedthe purity and the natural ecosystem habitat are protected
due to organic farming.due to organic farming.
Supports Biodiversity
Researches reveal that organic farming encourages biodiversity and
production of more crops of different species as compared to
non- organic farming.

9. Reduces Green House GasesReduces Green House Gases
Organic farming makes use of natural crop productionOrganic farming makes use of natural crop production
methods that increase the percentage of carbon in the soil.methods that increase the percentage of carbon in the soil.
Tastes BetterTastes Better
Many people who have been using organic food for someMany people who have been using organic food for some
time vouch for the fact that it tastes much better and freshtime vouch for the fact that it tastes much better and fresh
than non-organic food.than non-organic food.
Treasure of GoodnessTreasure of Goodness
Organic food is thus a treasure of goodness as it is good forOrganic food is thus a treasure of goodness as it is good for
you and also for the nature.you and also for the nature.
Natural VersionNatural Version
Since the process avoid the use of organisms modifiedSince the process avoid the use of organisms modified
genetically; you get what is 100 percent natural and whatgenetically; you get what is 100 percent natural and what
nature always wanted you to eatnature always wanted you to eat..

10. How to Identify Organic FoodHow to Identify Organic Food
Most of the products come with the organic label certified byMost of the products come with the organic label certified by
their country. At times, when you are buying a packaged food,their country. At times, when you are buying a packaged food,
there will be multiple ingredients in one pack. In such athere will be multiple ingredients in one pack. In such a
situation, it can be difficult to identify a complete organicsituation, it can be difficult to identify a complete organic
food.food.
Reading the Label CarefullyReading the Label Carefully
For this, you need to read the label carefully. If the label readsFor this, you need to read the label carefully. If the label reads
95 percent organic then it indicates that 5 percent of the95 percent organic then it indicates that 5 percent of the
product has non-organic or genetically treated ingredients. So,product has non-organic or genetically treated ingredients. So,
only opt for the products whose label say 100 percent organiconly opt for the products whose label say 100 percent organic
and also details the names of the ingredients used in theand also details the names of the ingredients used in the
product.product.

11. Example:Example:
Whenever you go to buy a fruit or vegetable in the shop,Whenever you go to buy a fruit or vegetable in the shop,
you will find different digit numbers on the packaging suchyou will find different digit numbers on the packaging such
as:as:
Non-organic or conventional food product- Four digit numberNon-organic or conventional food product- Four digit number
such as apple 4416such as apple 4416
Organic food product- Five-digit number that begins with nineOrganic food product- Five-digit number that begins with nine
such as apple 94416such as apple 94416
GMO or Genetically Modified Food product-Five digitGMO or Genetically Modified Food product-Five digit
number that begins with 8 such as apple 84416number that begins with 8 such as apple 84416

12. Why are Organic Foods Better Than Non-Why are Organic Foods Better Than Non-
Organic?Organic?
 No Pesticide ResiduesNo Pesticide Residues
 Enhanced Antioxidant BenefitsEnhanced Antioxidant Benefits
 Improved Heart HealthImproved Heart Health
 Increases ImmunityIncreases Immunity
 Non-Resistance to AntibioticNon-Resistance to Antibiotic

13. Foods with High Level of PesticidesFoods with High Level of Pesticides
 GrapesGrapes
 CucumbersCucumbers
 Sweet Bell PeppersSweet Bell Peppers
 Apples Cherry TomatoesApples Cherry Tomatoes
 PeachesPeaches
 SpinachSpinach
 Summer SquashSummer Squash
 Kale/Collard GreensKale/Collard Greens

14. Where to Buy Organic FoodWhere to Buy Organic Food
You must buy organic foods from places that are registered.You must buy organic foods from places that are registered.
Most of them also offer online dispatch but only choose itemsMost of them also offer online dispatch but only choose items
that are non-perishable or last for long. Some places to buythat are non-perishable or last for long. Some places to buy
organic foods in India include:organic foods in India include:
 Navdanya Organic Outlet, New DelhiNavdanya Organic Outlet, New Delhi
 Sahaja Aaharam, HyderabadSahaja Aaharam, Hyderabad
 Farmers Market, MumbaiFarmers Market, Mumbai
 Borkars Market, MumbaiBorkars Market, Mumbai
 Nature bound Farms, ThaneNature bound Farms, Thane
 Restore, ChennaiRestore, Chennai