Collaborative Research Project
Did you know?
The U.S Food and Drug Administration estimates that roughly 20 pounds of pesticides per person are used every year. And of those pesticides, at least 59% are classified as carcinogenic.
What does Organic mean?
The word "organic" refers to the way farmers grow and process agricultural products, such as fruits, vegetables, grains, dairy products and meat. Organic farming practices are designed to encourage soil and water conservation and reduce pollution. Farmers who grow organic produce and meat don't use conventional methods to fertilize, control weeds or prevent livestock disease. For example, rather than using chemical weedkillers, organic farmers may conduct more sophisticated crop rotations and spread mulch or manure to keep weeds at bay.
What does Non-Organic mean?
The definition of non-organic farming also known as "conventional farming" is simply the use of synthetic products, possibly toxic pesticides, herbicides, sewage sludge on fruits and vegetables to enhance and protect the viability of the crop. Alterations of animals raised in a conventional setting are also possible to enhance the bi-product of the animal, such as the use of recombinant bovine somatotropin (rBST) hormones in cows to produce more milk.
Pesticides and Food: Health Problems Pesticides May Pose
Laboratory studies show that pesticides can cause health problems, such as birth defects, nerve damage, cancer, and other effects that might occur over a long period of time. However, these effects depend on how toxic the pesticide is and how much of it is consumed. Some pesticides also pose unique health risks to children.Consequently, infants and children take the brunt of the toxins left in and on our food from residues. Sadly, the trouble can start in pregnancy. According to Marla Cone, Los Angeles Times staff writer, she reports a new research study done by California health officials suggests pregnant women that lived near crops that used organochlorine, endosulfan, and dicofol during the first three months of pregnancy could have children who are at significantly greater risk for developing Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD).
Types of Foods with Pesticides
Comparison
Price Comparisons
SupermarketBoneless, Skinless Chicken Thighs: $1.79 lb.
Cooked Shrimp: $7.47 lb. Pineapple: $2.99 ea. Lemons: 4 for $0.99 ShopRite Sausage: $1.88 lb. Navel Oranges: 4 for $2.99 Chicken Tenders: $1.99 |
Organic MarketBoneless, Skinless Chicken Thighs: $3.49lb.
Cooked Shrimp: $9.99lb. Pineapple: $3.99 ea. Lemons: 2 for $1.00 Store-Made Sausage: $4.49 lb. Navel Oranges: 4 for $3.00 Chicken Tenders: $4.49 |
Are the costs worth it? We'd say so!
- Good organic fresh fruits and vegetables are juicy and full-flavored, milk tastes richer, cheeses are ripe and mouthwatering.
- One of the huge advantages of organic foods is that they haven't been doused in pesticides.
- Perhaps one of the prime advantages of organic food is that it is pure food, nothing more, nothing less. Forget E-numbers, hydrogenated fats, artificial colours, flavours, sweeteners, preservatives – none of the additives lurking in processed and fast food are permitted in organic foods. There are no residual antibiotics, growth hormones or BSE in organic meat, no pesticides in organic milk.
- Genetically modified – GM – food isn't used in organic products.
- Organic foods can be more nutritious, richer in vitamins, minerals and essential fatty acids than non-organic.
- One of the greatest advantages of organic foods is that buying and eating them is a real, guilt-free pleasure, which is more than you can say for the average supermarket shop. It's great to know that you're not only helping the environment, you're feeding your family on good, pure food, that tastes better than processed food, and has no hidden unhealthies. That feels good.
If you want a diet based on natural food that hasn't been tampered with – think organic.
To learn how to begin the organic lifestyle, Click Here!