Food
5 Things You Should Know About Organic Food
Our Quick Intro Guide to Organic Food
What is Organic food? Is organic food better for you?
Is it better for the environment? Is it tastier?
These are some of the most common questions asked about organic food. Here's the MBG scoop:
1. What does it mean if a product is Organic? If a product bears the USDA Organic seal, the ingredients and subsequent crops have been grown without synthetic pesticides, artificial fertilizers, and were processed without chemical preservatives. Animals on organic farms eat organically grown feed and are raised without antibiotics or synthetic growth hormones.2. How can I tell if a product is Organic? The key to remember here is finding the Black or Green USDA Organic seal, which means that at least 95% of its ingredients are organic. The organic label is overseen the United States Department of Agriculture; (USDA) and all products bearing that black or green USDA Organic logo must adhere to specific standards regulated by the USDA.
3. Is organic food better for you? Yes! At least, we here at MBG think so. Read more on organic food health benefits.
4. Is organic food better for the environment? Yes, again! "Organic farming reduces pollutants in groundwater and creates richer soil that aids plant growth while reducing erosion," according to the Organic Trade Association. It also decreases pesticides that can end up in your drinking glass.
5. And last, but not least, don't confuse natural foods with organic foods. Only those products with the "USDA Organic" label have met USDA standards.
Published 09.01.09 at 12:00 AM
