Eating Organic food is a good way to try and maintain a healthy lifestyle. But while it is commonly known that organic fruits and vegetables are good for you, many people don’t know exactly what organic means.
According to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), this is the official definition of organic:
Organic food is produced by farmers who emphasize the use of renewable resources and the conservation of soil and water to enhance environmental quality for future generations. Organic meat, poultry, eggs, and dairy products come from animals that are given no antibiotics or growth hormones. Organic food is produced without using most conventional pesticides; fertilizers made with synthetic ingredients or sewage sludge; bioengineering; or ionizing radiation. Before a product can be labeled “organic,” a Government-approved certifier inspects the farm where the food is grown to make sure the farmer is following all the rules necessary to meet USDA organic standards. Companies that handle or process organic food before it gets to your local supermarket or restaurant must be certified, too.
What Organic Foods are best?
While eating organic fruits and vegetables can make you feel healthier, it can also get very expensive very quickly. Organic produce costs more than conventionally grown fruits and vegetables, so when buying organic, it’s best to make it count.
A good rule of thumb is to buy conventionally grown fruits and vegetables that don’t retain much pesticide, and to go organic when they are known to retain large amounts.
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Tags: conventional pesticides, fruits and vegetables, growth hormones, ionizing radiation, meat poultry, organic fruits and vegetables, poultry eggs, sewage sludge, united states department, united states department of agriculture