Should You Buy Organic? The Toxic Truth
What is the difference between organic and non-organic food?
If you are anything like me when we read the words organic it congers images of frolicking unicorns dancing meadow surrounded by butterfly’s and rainbows in chemical free green pastures, but is there a big difference between organic food or is it more marketing hype?
How can you prove something is organic?
Organic food sold in the United Kingdom and Europe has to be traceable from farm to shop to ensure what you buy truly is organic and strict rules and regulations are are set to ensure guidelines are followed and what you buy is what you get.
Is the price of organic food worth it?
As our population grows food has gotten faster and cheaper, so is it really worth paying over the odds for organic food? Organic food is typically more expensive than its non-organic twin but did you know that organic food is still spayed with pesticides to keep those critters at bay? Sadly no unicorns and rainbows just less chemical pollution, in some instances up to half the amount of pesticide sprays are used than during non-organic farming methods.
Is organic food better for the environment?
Organic food standards ensure growers use less pesticides and adopt less destructive farming methods that mitigate some soil erosion and run off that can make its way into our rivers and our water ways that can impact the health of humans and animals.
Is organic farming more efficient?
Organic farming can be more energy efficient depending on the circumstance, this is because food grown using organic methods ensures only natural fertilisers that are a natural by-product of animals and plants are used during the growing process, unlike non organic methods that use mined fertilisers that can impact the environment.
New techniques such as hydroponics and aquaponics farming can be much more efficient in terms of water consumption and yield per square foot they also offer additional benefits including less need for chemical pesticides, shorter growing cycles as these methods can adopt their own environmental controls that are predictable and manageable as they are not subject to mother nature’s unpredictable seasonal changes.
Are Organic foods better for you? At present there is little evidence low levels of pesticides used in non-organic food have a negative impact on human health in the quantities used in by the industry.
Worried about pesticides? If you are worried about the possible impact of pesticides switching to to Organic could help reduce your exposure however almost all food stuff grown outdoors has some pesticide exposure but low levels should be harmless.
Are organic foods spayed with pesticide?
Typically organic foods are exposed to less pesticides and can be up to half the amount of chemical exposure.
What can I do to reduce my exposure to pesticides?
Buy organic food, wash your foods properly eating organic locally sourced foods that is in season will help to reduce your exposure to pesticides.
Alternatively, if you have some space you could have a go at growing some of your own allotments are a great way to keep you active and fit in the outdoors while having the pleasure of producing your very own healthy food.