Are you confused when "organic" is used in a description? It's easy to be cynical when even junk foods like potato chips make the claim that they are organic.
Organic is blasted all over the media, on most packaging, cosmetics and scores of other products. The problem is, there's not much tested information around to answer the question "what does organic mean?" Can we really trust the labels on our consumer goods?
The Dictionary Definition Of Organic
The simplest place to start finding a trustworthy definition is with the dictionary. The web site Dictionary.com describes organic as:
" pertaining to, involving, or grown with fertilizers or pesticides of animal or vegetable origin, as distinguished from manufactured chemicals: organic farming; organic fruits. [.]"
There are 14 points in that particular definition, and only at point 11 do we get some idea of what 'organic' might mean for consumer goods.
What will organic mean in basic terms? One simple definition is that chemicals have not been used to fertilize the crops (or as pesticides). It also means that the land used to grow crops is farmed without chemicals added.
An organic label also means that animals used for meat have to be kept completely organically: they can't be treated with any kind of growth hormones or antibiotics, and have to be fed organic feed.
In general terms, organic is to do with farming methods rather than animal welfare. It's relevant to bear this in mind when you make any ethical decisions about the products you would like to eat.
Is Organic Labeling Accurate?
There are government standards concerning which products canlabel themselves as "organic". The USDA defines three levels of organic produce:
1) Products made completely from organic ingredients and methods may be labeled "100% organic" and display the USDA seal.
2) Products with at least 95% organic ingredients can use the label "organic" and display the seal.
3) Products containing at least 70% organic ingredients can be labeled "made with organic ingredients".
(Full information can be found on the USDA website.)
Companies who wrongly label their product as organic can be fined up to $11,000 for each violation. It's important to note that every country has its own laws concerning the use of the term organic, and some may not administer it so strictly.
Don't Be Misled By Genreic Terms
While there are regulations in place, at least in certain countries, regarding the use of the term organic on labels, it can still be misleading. As an example, organic doesn't guarantee that the products are raised locally, or that the food is healthier for you (though there is evidence to suggest that not eating chemical pesticides/ fertilizers is better for our health).
Similarly, don't be misled by terms such as "natural" or "healthy" - these don't have strict standards like the term "organic". In fact, they mean absolutely nothing. A "natural" beauty product could still be made with harmful chemicals.
It can be difficult to know what's good for our health or the world arround us, but posing questions like "what does organic mean?" will certainly set you off on the right path.
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