Organic Food
Organic food is food that has not been altered in any way. It has no chemicals added, the animals are not altered through genetics or any external force and they are allowed to live as natural of a life as possible. Prices for organic foods tend to be higher on account of the foods shorter shelf life and higher productions costs. Organic food is growing in popularity along with a larger amount of importance being placed on healthy eating and a healthy lifestyle. This and an insistence by animal rights groups that animals be treated more humanely. With organic food stores opening up and thriving all over it has become an important segment of the food industry with large corporations becoming involved in producing organic foods.
One of the key elements to organic foods is the absence of chemicals. Long ago businesses started using chemicals on their foods. Preservatives have long been added to add to the shelf life of certain foods. With companies losing large amounts of money on spoiled product they began to look for a way to reduce these costs. Adding preservatives became a common, sometimes mandatory element in producing food. With the importance being placed on profits often these preservatives would be rushed to market and not properly tested for effects on those who consume them. This has led to speculation on possible adverse health affects and furnished the popularity of organic foods. Another controversial use of chemicals in food that has inspired the popularity of organic food is the treatment of cattle and other livestock. Growth hormones are used to produce larger more economically prosperous animals.
Before the increase in popularity of organic food it was historically only found in small towns grown by local farmers. Since gaining in popularity strict guidelines have been placed on producers of organic food to ensure the authenticity of the product. They must meet certain requirements to be able to market their food as organic. Organic farmers must meet strict guidelines that start with the soil and include all other stages in the agricultural process to obtain a certification as organic farmers. Some pesticides and other chemicals can still be used with food not losing its organic designation so purchasers still need to be diligent. Organic food enjoys strict regulation keeping companies from simply marketing themselves as organic without meeting the standards.
Organic food has an impact on many aspects of life. It is environmentally friendly as a result of the lack of chemicals. The soil it is grown in tends to be riches and thus will not affect and related waterways and future crops. It has been shown to be healthier to the consumers. Vitamins and minerals are not lost through the genetic modification process and addition of chemicals. Organic food tends to cost up to 40% more in North America, however in some countries such as Cuba organic farms are the norm and thus no difference in cost exists. With the growing health concerns that are prevalent in North America Organic food appears to be a key element in solving many health concerns that exist. These conditions are related to the food that is consumed and therefore can be directly corrected by the consumption of organic food.