What are the facts about organic foods?

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Sun, Feb. 05, 2006

What are the facts about organic foods?

http://www.bradenton.com/mld/bradenton/business/13787975.htm

Is it better for you?

There aren't many large-scale comprehensive studies on the health

benefits of eating organic products, but smaller studies suggest

organically grown products may have more nutritional value than

conventionally grown foods.

" The jury is still out, " said Dr. Elaine , associate professor of

food science and human nutrition at the University of Florida. " Some

studies do show there may be higher levels of some nutrients but even if

it's higher, can you measure a difference? Is it meaningful to the diet?

What is the total diet? "

But switching to an organic diet dramatically decreases exposure to

pesticides used in conventional farming, according to a study funded by

the Environmental Protection Agency. The study used urine samples from

23 Seattle children whose diets were switched from conventional to organic.

Organic produce has some lingering pesticide levels but only a third as

many residues as conventional produce, according to a study by the

Consumers Union and the Organic Materials Review Institute.

*Regulations*

USDA regulations for organic products prohibit the use of irradiation,

sewage sludge and genetically modified organisms. Organic farmers must

adhere to the national list of allowed synthetic and prohibited natural

substances. Organic livestock must be fed 100 percent organic feed, and

antibiotics cannot be used.

Organic farming uses environmentally based management tools such as

composting and biological pest management.

Converting from a conventional farm to an organic farm can be expensive.

There are fees from state and private certifiers. Land must be managed

using approved methods, and materials and documentation of a three-year

transition period is required. During the three-year period, farmers

cannot label their products as organic.

*How to read the label*

.. " 100 percent organic " is just that.

.. The " USDA Organic " seal means that 95 percent of the content is

organic by weight.

.. " Made with Organic " means at least 70 percent of content is organic.

The front label may display the phrase followed by up to three specific

ingredients.

.. Less than 70 percent of content is organic means only organic

ingredients may be listed on the ingredient panel but the word organic

cannot be mentioned on the main panel.

SOURCE: USDA, The Organic Trade Association

*

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