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Organic food
The term organic food is used for food items that are
produced, processed and packed according to certain
standards. These standards may vary in different countries
but it is sure that any food item labeled as organic food is
produced without the use of synthetic pesticides, artificial
fertilizers, and processed without ionizing radiation or food
additives. In case of animal products like, meat, milk etc.
it means that they are reared without the routine use of
antibiotics and without the use of growth hormones. In most
countries, organic produce must not be genetically modified.
Common organic foods include organic meat, organic milk,
organic oils, organic vegetables, organic fruits, organic
groceries, and organic coffee, organic tea.
Types of organic
food
On the basis of production method organic food can be grouped
into two categories:
1. Fresh food
Fresh or unprocessed organic food includes vegetables and
fruits that are produced according to set standards. These
items are purchased directly from growers, at farmers'
markets, from on-farm stands, supermarkets, through specialty
food stores, and through community-supported agriculture
projects and sold into their raw-fresh form. Unprocessed
animal products like organic meat, eggs, dairy, are less
commonly available in "fresh" form.
2. Processed food
Processed organic food includes canned goods, frozen
vegetables, prepared dishes and other convenience foods that
contain only organic ingredients or certain percentage of
organic ingredients. Any inorganic ingredient used in these
products should also meet certain requirements. These
products must be free of artificial food additives, and
processing should be done with fewer artificial methods,
materials and conditions. There must be no or minimal
chemical ripening, no food irradiation, no use of genetically
modified ingredients, etc. They may also be required to be
produced using energy-saving technologies and for packaging
recyclable or biodegradable materials should be used.
Organic food items are also classified according to the
present percentage of organic ingredients in certain product.
The USDA (United State Department of Agriculture) has
categorizes food products into these categories:
100% organic:
Products come under this category must contain 100 percent
organically produced ingredients.
Organic:
The products, that contain at least 95% organic ingredients
fall under this category.
Made of organic ingredients: The products that contain at least 70% organic ingredients are
labeled under this category.
Have some organic ingredients: Such products contain less than 70% organic ingredients.
Production of
Organic Food
Organic food is produced according to certain standards set
for every stage of production, from farming to processing,
packaging and retailing.
Steps involved in organic food production include:
Organic Farming
The first step in organic food production is farming food
organically. In organic farming, the seeds used for farming
are organic in nature, no genetically modified variety of
seeds are used for crops. The fertilizers used for crops are
also organic, obtained from leaves, plants and animal dung,
mulches and other organic matter etc. No harmful chemical
fertilizers, pesticides, herbicides, insecticides and
fungicides are used for growth and protection of crops,
instead organic pesticides, organic herbicides, organic
insecticides and organic fungicides are used. Natural methods
are used to enhance the productivity of the soil like,
multiple cropping, trap crops, mulches, frogs, toads,
companion crops, etc. In case of organic animal products no
hormones, chemically enhanced feed, antibiotics are used for
rearing animals.
Processing and Handling
Processing is also important part of food production. Many
organic food items are used in processed form like, frozen
vegetables, prepared dishes and other
convenience foods. For organic food items, processing is done
without the use of any chemicals such as chemical solvents.
One fine example of processed organic item is coconut oil,
which is normally, obtained through solvent extraction but
the organic coconut oil is obtained by crushing organic
coconuts into a mechanical expeller. It does not involve use
of chemicals as preservatives, bleaching agents, deodorizers,
etc. Thus the oil is completely organic and free from any
harmful chemicals.
Packaging
Organic packaging includes the use of recyclable or
biodegradable materials for packaging. The manufacturers
should have organic certification and use the label of the
certification body as prescribed. The organic label should
clearly indicate the percentage of organic ingredients used
in the product like, the product is 100% organic or 70%
organic and so on. The packaging label should hold the list
of ingredients also.
Benefits of
Organic Food
Organic food is fast replacing the shelves of food stores,
supermarkets, vegetable markets and stores. Though scientist
and research scholars are not sure about the fact that
organic food is healthier than conventional food, it has been
proved that it has wider positive aspects. Some noticeable
benefits of organic food are following:
*Organic food is free from harmful chemicals and pesticides,
which is the most important alleged benefits of organic food.
Non-organic food is likely to be contaminated with residues
that often occur in potentially dangerous combinations, but
organic food is free from all such harmful chemicals hence,
healthier.
* Organic food has higher level of antioxidants and some
other ‘health-related food components’. This may be because
no growth chemicals and pesticides are used in the production
of organic food. These chemicals increase the growth pace and
the plant use its resources for growth rather than production
of these antioxidants. But in organic farming the plant grows
at its natural pace and produces these antioxidants and other
useful components.
* Organic food is rich in vitamin C, minerals and
phytonutrients. Phytonutreints are plant compounds that help
to fight cancer. Organic food thus helps in fighting
diseases including cancer.
* Organic food also helps in conservation of environment.
Since no chemical fertilizers, pesticides and insecticides
are used in organic farming, it is an environment friendly
practice.
* Organic food also ensures animal welfare. Animals used for
organic meat and organic milk are treated more humanely, no
harmful growth hormones are used in their rearing, which
guarantees their good health. It is believed that meat and
milk obtained from these animals are also healthier and the
chances of deadly diseases decreased.
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