Tips and suggestions on choosing, buying, and the benefits of organic foods.
Organic Foods: What Are They and Why Choose Them Over Regular Foods
Organic foods are defined as that which has been grown without using fertilizers or pesticides. In fact, most organic farms must implement strict guidelines to receive their organic certification. These guidelines are so stringent that, for example; farmers must not use any wood stakes for planting that are chemically treated; must keep all machinery free from dust and foreign substances which could contaminate the crops; and must use animal feed that is purely organic in quality. Moreover, if any one of these contaminates were found in the crops, it would render the entire crop ruined.
Obtaining organic certification involves food production which can be certified. While every country has its own requirements, the standards used are much the same throughout the farming communities. Certification requires growing, storage, processing, packaging, and shipping which include total elimination of such chemicals as pesticides; antibiotics; food additives; and the like.
Also, the farmland has to be free of chemicals for three years; must keep detail records; must maintain physical separation of organic products from non-organic products; must have periodic inspections; and are subject to the same agricultural, and safety regulations which govern non-organic farmers.