Organic Foods: Health Benefits and Drawbacks

Organic food is the product of a farming system which avoids the use of man-made fertilisers, pesticides; growth regulators and livestock feed additives. Put simply, organic foods are produced using methods that comply with organic farming standards, most crucially by avoiding the use of man-made fertilisers or pesticides. For a food to be classed as organic, at least 95 % of its ingredients must have been produced using organically farmed plants or animals. Organic foods are not necessarily completely chemical free, but the pesticide residues will be considerably lower than those found in produce manufactured with synthetic chemicals. Organic foods are more costly to produce and as a result the prices to consumers are higher, with some organic options costing twice as much as their conventional counterparts. Organic food cannot be genetically altered in any way. Traditionally, changes to plants and livestock were accomplished through selective breeding techniques and hand pollination. These techniques are still certified organic. The food may be genetically modified food, or GM food, has been tampered with at the genetic level. Sometimes varieties of plants have been cross-bred to create hardier or tastier strains. GM seeds can be drought resistant or have higher yields. GM technology tampers with the work of Mother Nature and is therefore inorganic. Organic farming practices reduce pollution conserve water, reduce soil erosion, increase soil fertility, and use less energy. Farming without pesticides is also better for nearby organisms and small animals as well as humans who live close to or work on farms. Organically raised animals are not given antibiotics, growth hormones, or fed animal byproducts. The use of antibiotics in conventional meat production helps create antibiotic-resistant strains of bacteria. This means that when the living organism gets sick from these strains, they will be less responsive to antibiotic treatment. Organic foods should be the number food of consumption nationwide for everyone to harness its benefits.