cheryl
Administrator
Staff member
Organic vs. Non-Organic: Is Organic Food Really Better? - Bicycling
Some say the nutrition and health benefits of going organic are worth it, but can it really make that much of a difference?
There are countless decisions to make while strolling through the supermarket aisles, not the least of which is whether or not to buy organic. The organic food industry is a booming business, and it’s expected to grow even grander as more and more foods of organic origin make their way onto store shelves. But the debate about whether organic foods are healthier than their conventionally-produced counterparts remains.
What Does Organic Even Mean?
For food to be certified organic by the Department of Agriculture, fruits, vegetables, grains and nuts must be grown without the use of most synthetic fertilizers and pesticides and may not contain genetically modified organisms or GMOs. (Produce can be labeled organic only if it has been grown in soil that has had no prohibited substances applied for three years prior to harvest.) The National Organic Standard Board, however, does allow a few synthetic substances to be used in organic agriculture that they deem non-toxic.
Some say the nutrition and health benefits of going organic are worth it, but can it really make that much of a difference?
There are countless decisions to make while strolling through the supermarket aisles, not the least of which is whether or not to buy organic. The organic food industry is a booming business, and it’s expected to grow even grander as more and more foods of organic origin make their way onto store shelves. But the debate about whether organic foods are healthier than their conventionally-produced counterparts remains.
What Does Organic Even Mean?
For food to be certified organic by the Department of Agriculture, fruits, vegetables, grains and nuts must be grown without the use of most synthetic fertilizers and pesticides and may not contain genetically modified organisms or GMOs. (Produce can be labeled organic only if it has been grown in soil that has had no prohibited substances applied for three years prior to harvest.) The National Organic Standard Board, however, does allow a few synthetic substances to be used in organic agriculture that they deem non-toxic.