DEFINITION:
Foods that claim to be organic use materials and practices that do not hurt the environment and should adhere to standards set by the Organic Foods Production Act, which states that the primary goal of organic agriculture is "to optimize the health...of soil life, plants, animals and people."
ANTIBIOTICS & HORMONES:
Unlike mainstream food stuffs, organic foods do not use antibiotics to prevent animals from getting sick, or growth hormones to "beef up" livestock.
PESTICIDES:
Just because a food says it's organic doesn't always mean it's free of pesticide, which are chemicals used to kill off or prevent insects from eating raw fruits and veggies. Organic growers try to use natural and cultural practices as their first line of defense against pests. Some chemical pesticides may be used in organic agriculture on an approved and limited basis.
CONTAMINANTS:
Government tests show that red raspberries, strawberries, apples, and peaches grown in the U.S. and cantaloupe from Mexico are the foods most contaminated with pesticides. The fruits least contaminated with pesticides are watermelon, bananas, kiwi, pineapple, and domestically grown cantaloupe. The least contaminated vegetables include corn, onions and peas.
AVAILABLE PRODUCTS:
These days, organic agriculture has become so widespread that you can go to a typical supermarket and get everything from organic soaps, detergents, insect repellent, and shampoos. You can also buy organic fabrics such as cotton and hemp, and give your doggie organic pet food.
USDA ORGANIC SEAL:
When shopping for organic grub, look for the seal! The U.S. Department of Agriculture developed strict labeling rules to help consumers know the exact organic content of the food they buy. The USDA Organic seal also tells you that a product is at least 95 percent organic.
LABELING:
If the label doesn't read organic, it's not organic. If a product is less than 70 percent organic, the organic ingredients may be listed on the side of the package but cannot say "organic" on the front.
