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Despite having been proven safe by the FDA, preservatives and additives are still shunned by certain folks. They favor instead things like whole foods or organic foods. The only difference between the two is marketing. By definition, organic foods are those that are cultivated and grown using nothing but natural methods of fertilization and pest control. Foods of this variety often have a great deal of appeal to those who prefer to keep their diets free of foods containing additives and preservatives.

Free range produce is another aspect of organic foods. Poultry, pork, and beef that are free range are generally free from growth hormones. They have also been afforded the opportunity to graze outdoors. This added exercise results in leaner, tastier meat. However, it is often less tender.

Organic foods are typically regarded as safer or more nutritious than the mainstream market competitors. There are several pros and cons to consider when it comes to filling the shopping cart with such products.

Benefits of Organics:

-less chance of residual pesticides or herbicidal chemicals
-generally chemical-free
-dye-free
-no hormones added
-no antibiotics used on the animals generating the food product
-no preservatives
-animals presumed to have been treated in more humane manner (e.g. cage free or free range poultry)

Drawbacks of organic/whole foods:

-more expensive
-less aesthetically pleasing due to absence of preservatives
-produce has a tendency to rot and spoil more quickly
-farmers who produce organic crops may have lower crop yields; this limits availability and drives the price up
-fruit skin may be damaged from insects
-unfamiliar appearance (i.e. food "looks" different)

Conclusion

There is no nutritional advantage to purchasing organic products. Unless a person is driven by ethical reasons to purchase organic foods, there is little impetus for doing so. As stated before, the United States has the safest and most quality controlled food in the world. Individuals are free to select from a variety of foods, and can rest assured that they are not putting their health at risk.

Learn more about this author, Lauren Beyenhof.
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