Poughkeepsie Journal
Published June 11, 2008
You might want to know what it means when a food is labeled organic.
The USDA issued a new national seal to bring clarity and assurance to
consumers that foods bearing the seal are certified organic following their standards, whether it's grown in the U.S. or imported from other countries. As of Oct. 21, 2002, foods that are certified are at least 95 percent organic, produced without most pesticides, toxic fertilizers, growth hormones and antibiotics.
Organic fruits and vegetables are produced without using pesticides or
fertilizers made with synthetic ingredients or bioengineering and ionizing radiation. Organic meat, poultry, eggs, milk and cheese come from animals that are given no antibiotics or growth hormones.
USDA does not make claims that organic food is safer or more nutritious than conventional food. They differ from each other in the way the food is grown, handled and processed. Other claims, such as hormone-free and natural, can still appear on the labels, but don't confuse these terms with organic.
{}Nutrition not a factor
There is no evidence to support buying organic because it has better
nutrition. But it's your option. The main benefit by eating organic food is that you get a lower level of pesticide and chemical exposure than commercial foods.
According to the Environmental Working Group, commercially farmed fruits and vegetables vary in their levels of pesticides. Some produce, such as broccoli, asparagus, onions, avocados, bananas and oranges, have relatively low levels, whereas other produce, such as strawberries, bell peppers, spinach, cherries, peaches, nectarines, pears, celery, apples, potatoes, imported grapes and lettuce, have high amounts of pesticides.
All purchased produce is susceptible to nasty bacteria such as E. coli. Your best bet is to wash everything thoroughly before eating it.
Not all of us can afford to go organic, but we can focus on just those foods that are high in pesticides, chemical additives and hormones.
Organic food is more expensive than conventional food, and it's such a big fad and high in demand right now.
You need to choose your organic food wisely or you might want to grow your own organic garden this year!
Poughkeepsie resident Chandra Balusu, MS, CDN is a NYS certified
dietitian/nutritionist. She is a nutrition consultant and works as a
clinical dietitian at the Hudson River Psychiatric Center in Poughkeepsie.
Send comments to: Eating Smart, Life Department, Poughkeepsie Journal, P.O. Box 1231, Poughkeepsie, NY 12602, or e-mail
life@poughkeepsiejournal.com
