What Is Organic?

What is organic?  Why should we buy organic?  How do we make sure that what we are buying really is organic?  What is the fuss all about?  With everything going on in the world today, do we really have to worry about what’s organic as well?  These questions are probably running through your brain every time you do the grocery what with the multitude of labels you see on various everyday products we use everyday.

To put it simply, organic are products which do not use pesticides, hormones or other chemicals during the manufacturing process.  You have to remember that not all natural foods are organic.  Natural foods may still have additives and preservatives added during the manufacturing process.  More and more people are looking into organic food nowadays especially since chemicals and pesticides used on our crops and foods are showing links to various diseases such as cancer, heart disease and other illnesses.

And this is what the fuss is all about.  Organic foods contain no chemicals, preservatives or other harmful ingredients which may cause these life threatening diseases.  People are exposed to pollution, stress and chemicals found for daily hygiene purposes.  Do we really need the additional exposure to the food we consume as well?  While it is true that a balanced diet and regular exercise are essential to a healthy body, the quality of the food we shove down our throats should count as well.

Organic foods have to be certified by the USDA as organic.  They have 4 classifications so make sure that you familiarize yourself with them and only USDA 100% certified will have a seal with them.  These come in handy when shopping at a grocery store but at the local butcher’s you can ask the man behind the counter about their livestock practices since most of them raise their own stock.

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