| When you shop at the grocery store or supermarket | | | | and unprocessed forms. Organic eggs are generally |
| to buy fruits and vegetables, do you pick just any | | | | provided by free-range chickens and not from those |
| produce or are you particular about eating organic | | | | kept in cages in large, egg factories. Organic meats |
| foods? There is a difference between the two and, | | | | must not come from animals that have been treated |
| after our discussion, you may decide that organic | | | | with any growth hormones, steroids or antibiotics. |
| foods are the best choice for you and your family. | | | | Some organic food is processed and can be found in |
| Let's take a look at the benefits of buying organic | | | | the organic food section of most supermarkets but |
| produce. | | | | often are more expensive than their conventional |
| While both kinds of produce may look the same, | | | | food counterparts. Processed organic foods can |
| food grown organically must be able to meet | | | | include canned products, frozen produce, prepared |
| "specific standards" of production, including specific | | | | items and even snack foods. |
| growing and processing conditions that are unique to | | | | In truth, processed organic foods only need to |
| foods that can be labeled "organic". For crop foods, | | | | contain a certain percentage of organic ingredients. In |
| the organic foods cannot be grown using any | | | | Australia, for example, a food can be labeled "organic" |
| chemical pesticides, non-organic fertilizer, human | | | | if it contains at least 95% organic ingredients. In |
| waste fertilizer or sludge from sewage. They also | | | | other countries, however, the percentage can be less |
| can't be processed using ionizing radiation,a process | | | | than that. Even so, those non-organic ingredients |
| that kills bacteria but that some believe is unsafe. | | | | must be free of artificial food additives and no |
| Finally, the food can't be genetically altered. | | | | aspect of the food can be processed using chemical |
| At first, organic foods were grown on small farms, | | | | ripening techniques, genetic modification or irradiation. |
| particularly those that were family-owned and | | | | In some cases, the organic food must be made using |
| operated. In our current times, however, organic | | | | energy-saving techniques and packaged in recyclable |
| foods are grown on larger farms and are more | | | | or biodegradable materials. |
| readily available in most supermarkets, co-ops and | | | | It's not always easy to identify whether or not your |
| health food stores. In the US, parts of Europe and | | | | food is truly organic. Check for certification, learn |
| Japan, the production of organic food is currently | | | | who the source is, do a little research and you can |
| federally regulated and in some countries, specific | | | | make the right choices. Sometimes, you need to buy |
| organic certification is required before these foods | | | | directly from an organic grower in order to be certain |
| can be sold. | | | | the food is organic. More recently, however, foods |
| Natural foods can include fresh vegetables and fruits, | | | | that are organic can be identified by governmental |
| which have not been processed and come directly | | | | labeling, stating that the food is "certified organic". |
| from the growers through farmers markets, natural | | | | Because of the safety and wholesomeness of |
| food stores, supermarkets and roadside stands. Many | | | | organic foods, you may wish to do you and your |
| of these products are only available during certain | | | | family a favor by buying only organic products. The |
| times of the year. Readily available these days are | | | | food tastes excellent and you can be assured you're |
| organic eggs, dairy products and meat in their fresh | | | | getting a product that won't be harmful to you. |