Organic vs. Nonorganic

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What does organic mean?

Organic food refers to products that are grown and produced without the use of synthetic pesticides, fertilizers, genetically modified organisms, or ionizing radiation. Instead, organic farmers rely on natural methods to enhance the health and productivity of their crops, such as using compost and other natural fertilizers, crop rotation, and natural pest control methods.

Organic farming also places a strong emphasis on animal welfare, with organic livestock being raised on organic land and given organic feed. In addition, organic farmers are required to follow strict guidelines and regulations in order to maintain their organic certification.

What does it mean in Canada?

Organic agriculture in Canada must follow these guidelines.

Here are some of the key regulations that food labelled as organic in Canada must follow:

Organic farmers must use natural methods to enhance the health and productivity of their crops. This includes using compost and other natural fertilizers, crop rotation, and natural pest control methods. Synthetic pesticides, fertilizers, and genetically modified organisms are not allowed in organic farming.
Organic farmers must follow strict guidelines and regulations in order to maintain their organic certification. This includes keeping detailed records of their farming practices and undergoing regular inspections by certified organic inspectors.
Organic food must be processed, handled, and packaged using methods that maintain its organic integrity. This means that organic food must be processed in a separate facility from non-organic food, and must be handled and packaged using methods that prevent contamination from non-organic sources.
Organic food must be labelled and marketed in a way that accurately reflects its organic status. This means that organic food must be clearly labelled as organic, and must not be marketed in a way that is misleading or deceptive.

Benefits of organic foods

Possible health benefits

Eating organic food has been shown to have a number of theoretical health benefits. Here are some of the key ways that organic food can benefit your health:

Organic produce is richer in nutrients. Because organic farming practices prioritize the health of the soil, organic produce is often richer in nutrients than conventionally grown produce. This means that when you eat organic fruits and vegetables, you’re getting more vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that can help support your overall health.
Organic food is free from synthetic chemicals. One of the main reasons people choose to eat organic food is because it’s produced without the use of synthetic pesticides, fertilizers, or genetically modified organisms. This means that when you eat organic, you’re avoiding exposure to potentially harmful chemicals that can have negative health effects.
Organic meat and dairy is higher in certain nutrients. Research has shown that organic meat and dairy products are often higher in certain nutrients, such as omega-3 fatty acids and conjugated linoleic acid, compared to conventionally raised products. These nutrients have been linked to a number of health benefits, including a reduced risk of heart disease and cancer.

Do they actually benefit health?

While many people believe that organic food has health benefits, the evidence for these benefits is not always clear or consistent. Here are some of the reasons why organic food has not reliably shown evidence of health benefits:

Many studies on organic food have been small and not well-designed. Many of the studies that have been conducted on the health benefits of organic food have been small and not well-designed, which makes it difficult to draw reliable conclusions from the results. In order for a study to be considered reliable, it needs to be large and well-designed, with a control group and a randomized design.
The definition of organic food can vary. The term “organic” can mean different things in different contexts, and this can make it difficult to compare the results of different studies on organic food. For example, some studies may define organic food as food that is produced without synthetic pesticides, while others may include additional criteria, such as the use of natural fertilizers or animal welfare standards.
The health benefits of organic food may not be due to the organic nature of the food. It’s possible that the health benefits of organic food are not necessarily due to the organic nature of the food, but rather to other factors, such as the fact that organic food is often fresher and more flavorful than conventionally grown food. In order for a study to show that the health benefits of organic food are due to the organic nature of the food, it would need to control for these other factors.
The health benefits of organic food may not be relevant to all people. The health benefits of organic food may not be relevant to all people, as they can vary depending on an individual’s health status, diet, and lifestyle. For example, someone who is already eating a healthy diet and not exposed to a lot of synthetic chemicals may not see any additional health benefits from eating organic food.

Possible environmental benefits

Organic food has a number of environmental benefits. Here are some of the key ways that organic farming is good for the environment:

Organic farming promotes soil health. One of the main goals of organic farming is to enhance the health of the soil, which is the foundation of healthy plants and crops. Organic farmers use techniques like composting, crop rotation, and cover crops to improve the soil’s structure, fertility, and ability to hold water. This helps to reduce the need for synthetic fertilizers and pesticides, which can have negative environmental impacts.
Organic farming conserves water and energy. Organic farming practices are designed to be more efficient and sustainable than conventional methods. For example, organic farmers use mulch and other techniques to conserve water and reduce the need for irrigation. In addition, organic farms are often smaller and more diverse, which means they can use less energy overall.
Organic farming reduces pollution. Conventional farming methods can lead to pollution of air, water, and soil. For example, synthetic pesticides and fertilizers can leach into waterways and contaminate drinking water. Organic farming, on the other hand, uses natural methods to control pests and enhance soil health, which reduces the need for these potentially harmful chemicals.
Organic farming supports biodiversity. Organic farming practices support biodiversity in a number of ways. For example, organic farms often have a greater variety of crops, which can provide habitat for a wider range of wildlife. In addition, organic farmers use natural methods to control pests, which means they don’t rely on harmful pesticides that can kill beneficial insects and other wildlife.

Risks of organic foods

Possible health risks

While organic food has many health benefits, it’s important to note that it can also have some potential health risks. Here are some of the key ways that organic food can be harmful to your health:

Organic food can still contain harmful bacteria. While organic food is generally considered to be safer than conventionally grown food, it’s important to remember that it can still contain harmful bacteria like E. coli and salmonella. This is because organic food is produced without the use of synthetic chemicals, which means that harmful bacteria can sometimes go undetected. It’s important to handle and store organic food properly in order to reduce the risk of foodborne illness.
Organic food can be contaminated with natural toxins. While organic food is free from synthetic chemicals, it can still be contaminated with natural toxins. For example, some foods, like potatoes and apples, contain natural toxins that can be harmful if consumed in large quantities. It’s important to wash and cook organic produce thoroughly in order to reduce the risk of exposure to these natural toxins.
Organic food can be more expensive. One potential downside to organic food is that it’s often more expensive than conventionally grown food. This can be a barrier for some people, especially those on a tight budget. While the health benefits of organic food are undeniable, it’s important to consider your budget and find a balance between organic and conventional options that doesn’t have you eating less overall healthy foods as a result.

Possible environmental risks

While organic farming has many environmental benefits, it’s important to note that it can also have some potential downsides. Here are some of the key ways that organic farming can be harmful to the environment:

Organic farming can use more land. Because organic farming practices are often less efficient than conventional methods, organic farms can require more land to produce the same amount of food. This can lead to deforestation and the loss of natural habitats, which can be harmful to wildlife and the environment.
Organic farming can have a higher carbon footprint. While organic farming is generally considered to be more sustainable than conventional methods, some research has shown that organic farms can have a higher carbon footprint compared to conventional farms. This is because organic farms often use more labor and other resources, which can lead to higher greenhouse gas emissions.
Organic farming can result in food waste. Because organic food is often more perishable than conventionally grown food, it can be more susceptible to spoilage and waste. This means that if organic food isn’t handled and stored properly, it can end up being thrown away, which can be harmful to the environment.
Organic farming can be less efficient. As mentioned earlier, organic farming practices are often less efficient than conventional methods, which means that organic farms can require more land, labor, and resources to produce the same amount of food. This can lead to higher prices for organic products, which can be a barrier for some consumers.

Is it worth getting organic?

The decision should be made personally, as the majority of people will not have any issues with non-organic foods, and it is often recommended that you increase your intake for fruits and vegetables regardless of organic status.

If you decide that it is worth purchasing organic produce, the Environmental Working Group independently tests and compares the levels of pesticides of organic versus non-organic versions of different produce. The two lists they create are known as:

Dirty Dozen – Top 12 foods that may be worth buying organic, as their non-organic counterparts have the highest levels of detected pesticides
Clean Fifteen – Top 15 foods that are worth buying non-organic, as they have the lowest levels of detected pesticides