USDA Organic Label
Did you pour some organic milk into your coffee this morning? Or snack on some organic pretzels today at work? Americans are eating organic more than ever--but what does that really mean? And is it a good thing?
Last week, we debunked four common misperceptions about organic foods. Today, we're revealing the rest of our Top 10 Organic Myths.
5. A peach is as safe as a pear.
Pesticide residue is a popular reason to shop organic, and cost is a popular reason not to. But if you're stuck deciding whether to splurge or save, check out the Environmental Working Group's Shopper's Guide to organics. Their list ranks the pesticide load of 43 common fruits and vegetables. Among the worst offenders: peaches, apples, and sweet bell peppers. The "cleanest" produce? Onions and avocados.
The EWG suggests that buying organic for the 12 worst fruits and vegetables will reduce your pesticide intake by up to 90%. The list is helpful, but here's a simple rule of thumb: You're less likely to ingest pesticides from foods with an inedible shell or skin.
6. If you buy organic, it's local.
The explosion in demand for organics has led major retailers, like Whole Foods and WalMart, to source their products from over seas. Already you can find organic milk from New Zealand, asparagus from Argentina and soy beans from China on the shelves.
This means a larger selection and cheaper prices for consumers, but there are tradeoffs. Which leads us to Myth #7...
7. Organics are better for global warming.
You may have heard of a carbon footprint, the calculation of greenhouse gases (GHG) generated by a person, an action, or an organization. Now there's a similar concept for food, known as food miles. It's a simple idea: the farther food travels, the more GHG it emits along the way.
So organic strawberries from half-way around the world may be worse for global warming than conventional produce grown down the road. Major retailers are beginning to distinguish locally-grown produce as well as organics, so keep an eye out while you shop.
8. If it says organic, it's healthy.
If only it was that easy! Unfortunately, the laws of good nutrition still hold true. Processed foods, saturated fats, and excess calories are still bad for you--whether or not they bear an organic seal.
9. If it says natural, it's organic.
Another common mistake! Natural refers to the product itself, meaning it doesn't include artificial ingredients and is minimally processed. It doesn't explain how the product was raised or farmed.
Organic refers to a set of farming practices. The two terms are not interchangable. Neither should organic be confused with hormone-free or free-range.
10. Organic = Sustainable
Getting complicated isn't it? Organic refers to a system of agriculture that focuses on non-synthetic inputs ( no chemical pesticides, no GMOs, etc.). The goal of organic farming is an environmentally and socially sustainable food system. However, not everyone is convinced it's succeeding.
Some argue that there should be greater emphasis on local production, others on stricter national standards. However there is good reason to believe that organic farming is a move in the right direction. It has been shown to support more diverse ecosystems, decrease pesticide run-off into lakes and rivers, and reduce pesticide exposure among farmers and consumers.
As for tasting better? Well, that's your call.
The first part of this series is currently posted in our Article Archive. For the Environmental Working Group's Shopper's Guide, click here.
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