What are Organic Foods?

Organic foods are grown using the most natural, safest farming practices to reduce the risk of toxic chemicals and poisons found on and in food. Organic foods are foods grown without pesticides, artificial fertilizers, human waste or sewage sludge. They are also processed without food additives, chemical ripening or ionizing radiation, and have not been genetically modified. Organic farmers use natural fertilizers such as compost, as opposed to chemical fertilizers, to feed soil and plants, and rotate crops, till, hand weed or mulch to manage weeds, instead of using chemicals herbicides. They also use beneficial insects, and birds, as well as mating disruption or traps to reduce pests, instead of spraying chemical insecticides.

When it comes to organic meats, they are not given antibiotics, growth hormones or medications to spur growth and manage disease, instead they are given organic food, allowed access to fresh air and exercise, given clean housing and allowed to graze, to minimize disease.

Organic food is legally regulated and must go through certification to be labeled organic. There are different labels for organic foods. The label ‘USDA Organic’ means they are 100% organic. These foods are usually one ingredient foods, such as vegetables and fruit. The label ‘Organic’ identifies foods that are at least 95% organic. If the label says, ‘Made with organic ingredients’, it contains at least 70% organic ingredients.