by Selenna

Created on: June 23, 2010   Last Updated: September 03, 2011

The foods we choose can help in the prevention of many illnesses and increase our quality of life.  In an effort to be healthier and in search of a safe and sustainable food supply for a world of 6 billion people, studies are being done to determine the health and environmental benefits between organic and conventionally grown foods.

Organic Foods:

Pros:

Organic foods are those that are grown without the use of synthetic fertilizers, pesticides or weed killers. Organic farmers apply natural fertilizers, such as manure or compost,  to feed soil and plants.  They  use beneficial insects and birds, mating disruption or traps, to reduce pests and disease.  Organic farming makes use of crop rotation, tilling, and hand weeding or mulch to manage weeds.  These very practices help to improve soil, water and environmental quality which promotes sustainability of crops and retention of beneficial nutrients.  Nutrients within the harvest, such as antioxidants, key vitamins, nitrates and proteins are considerably higher in organic foods due to the high soil quality and the absence of chemical fertilizers and pesticides.  Organic farming methods can produce higher yields with a higher profit margin than conventional methods.  It also has the potential to increase food production levels world wide, reverse the degradation of agricultural soils and increase soil fertility and health.

Cons:

Organic farming requires a more hands on approach and is labor intensive with the need for considerably more skill than conventional farming.  The organic products are slightly more expensive to the consumer and in buying organic one must be well informed as to which ones are completely organic.  Many organic products sold in your local grocery store come from a producer owned by one of the major food companies that also sells conventional food products.  Marketing practices do not ensure the total organic nature of a product which may also contain conventionally grown additives.  All foods that have a claim to be organic must be certified and must abide by certain labeling standards:

-  "100% Organic":  No synthetic ingredients are allowed by law.

-  "Organic":  At least 95% of ingredients are organically produced.

-  "Made with Organic Ingredients":  At least 70% of ingredients are organic; the other 30% are from a list approved by the USDA.

-  "Free-Range" or "Free-Roaming": 

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