Why Organic?
Organic foods may have higher nutritional value than conventional food, according to some research. The reason: In the absence of pesticides and fertilizers, plants boost their production of the phytochemicals (vitamins and antioxidants) that strengthen their resistance to bugs and weeds.
Crops are generally grown without synthetic pesticides, artificial fertilizers, irradiation (a form of radiation used to kill bacteria), or biotechnology. Animals on organic farms eat organically grown feed, aren't confined 100 percent of the time (as they sometimes are on conventional farms), and are raised without antibiotics or synthetic growth hormones.
What is Organic Products?
Most of the country has very strict food safety and security guidelines to protect consumers from consuming harmful products. Most of the country has its own standard to define products as organic. USA uses USDA certification - NOP National Organic Program to defined a cultivated product as organic. Indian Organic - NPOP (National Program for Organic Production). According to USDA, in order for a product to be considered organic, organic standards must be met. Operations involving these organic products must be "protecting natural resources, conserving biodiversity, and using only approved substances.
Benefits of Organic Products?
Organic farming is better for the environment. Organic farming practices reduce pollution, conserve water, reduce soil erosion, increase soil fertility, and use less energy. Farming without pesticides is also better for nearby birds and animals as well as people who live close to farms. The most discussed environmental advantage of organic foods is that they don't have any chemical pesticides.
1. Reduce your intake of pesticides – A serving of fruits and vegetables that you buy today is likely to have at least 2-3 different types of chemical residues, even after washing. Organically grown crops are free from such harmful chemicals.
2. Get full nutrition – Food grown through non-organic means have decreased nutritional value, as compared to that grown using bio-active soil and natural fertilizers.
3. Get better tasting food – Food that has been sprayed with pesticides left, right and center lose their individual tastes. Organically grown produce maintain their fresh, wholesome flavors.
4. Maintain a healthy weight – It has been found that farmers and workers exposed to pesticides are getting obese, all due to their hormones getting messed up. Sticking to organic food keeps the hormones functioning normally.
5. Boost kids’ immunity – Exposure to additives at a young age can hamper kids’ immunity for life. Young children require the best quality of nutrients to ensure good health throughout life.
6. Stay safe from illnesses – Non-organic foods have been associated with an increased risk for obesity, type 2 diabetes and cancer, particularly breast cancer. Going organic can reduce the risk for such serious illnesses.
7. Maintain soil and water quality – All the pesticides sprayed on crops percolate down into the ground, affecting soil and water quality in the long run. Supporting organic farming will ensure that our water stays clean for future generations.
8. Promote kind treatment of animals – To boost production and sales, animal farmers often ill-treat animals, by force-feeding them or injecting them with hormones and antibiotics. Free range meat, milk and eggs are from animals treated kindly, fed good food and allowed to roam freely.
9. Support local farmers – Supporting corporations in the food industry only fills their pockets while endangering our health. Supporting local organic farmers ensures that their livelihood is not affected and that our health is preserved.
10. Support the environment – Buying and growing organic is beneficial for the environment as it helps to preserve the ecosystem. It helps to ensure the bio diversity of food crops, as well as maintains soil and water hygiene.
