What is organic food and what does organic mean?

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Do you buy organic food because you think it’s a good thing, but don’t really understand the ins and outs? Or, or maybe you are undecided about whether to change? We have investigated what organic food means and whether you should change your shopping habits.

But what is organic food? It’s still a popular buzzword, but do you really know what organic food is and what exactly “organic” means?

If not, you are not alone and if you want to know what organic food is, what organic food is worth buying, and how much to expect to pay, you have come to the right place.

What is organic food and what does organic mean?

What is organic food? Organic food is produced on farms that avoid the use of artificial fertilizers and pesticides. The Soil Association is a charity that also owns a subsidiary company, which is the UK’s largest organic certification body.

The Soil Association defines organic as a means of producing items that works with nature.

They explain: “It means higher levels of animal welfare, lower levels of pesticides, no manufactured herbicides or artificial fertilizers, and more environmentally sustainable management of the land and natural environment, which means more wildlife.”

But, even organic food is not always 100% drug and pesticide free. Contrary to popular belief, whenever necessary, fertilizers, pesticides, and medications will be used to prevent products from going to waste.

However, what organic farming does do is stop the routine use of antibiotics, which cause resistance to antibiotics and are filtered and consumed in the food chain.

While there are nearly 300 pesticides that can be used on conventional farms, there are only 20 that are approved for use on organic farms and are derived solely from natural ingredients.

Even after washing and cooking non-organic food, you are still at risk from consuming some of these pesticides. Last year, a government study found pesticide residues in 47 percent of British food.

The benefits of organic food

Well, what is the main advantage of organic food? It can be traced from farm to table so you can be sure what you are eating.

In addition to providing a better quality of life for organic farm-raised cattle, organic farming is better for other forms of wildlife and for the environment.

The Soil Association estimates that organic farms have 50 percent more wildlife like bees, birds, and butterflies compared to non-organic farms.

Organic foods have no artificial colors or preservatives added and are often nutritionally different from non-organic foods.

A study by researchers at Newcastle University in 2016 found “ clear differences between organic and conventional milk and meat. ”

Organic milk and meat were found to have roughly 50 percent more omega-3 fatty acids than their non-organic counterparts, yet they didn’t need to consume more calories or saturated fat.

Organically produced cereals, fruits and vegetables are also believed to contain up to 68% more antioxidants compared to conventional agricultural products.

Simply put, the Soil Association explains that organic foods are always free range, have fewer pesticides, have no artificial colors or preservatives, do not have routinely used antibiotics, and do not contain genetically modified ingredients.

How to know if a product is organic?

A spokesperson for the Soil Association explained: ‘Organic food must be certified under EU law and inspected at every step of the process, from field to table, to ensure the highest standards are maintained. Soil Association certifies around 70 per cent of organic products in the UK and many Soil Association organic standards are actually higher than EU standards. That means when you see the Soil Association Certified Organic Symbol on the packaging, you know it’s a symbol you can trust. ‘

Organic food: the dirty dozen

Each year, the Environment Working Group, a non-partisan nonprofit organization, compiles a list for consumers to cross-reference and change their shopping habits accordingly.

The ‘dirty dozen’ foods are the ones you should always aim to buy organic as they are the ones most likely to be contaminated with pesticide residues.

This list is based on data from the US Department of Agriculture, so it is worth noting that US regulations and approved pesticides differ greatly from those in the UK.

However, it is still interesting to see which foods are affected as they are also likely to be the most contaminated in the UK.

Strawberries
Spinach
Nectarines
Apples
Grapes
Peaches
Cherries
Pears
Tomatoes
Celery
Potatoes
Peppers

Organic Food: The Clean 15

Unlike the dirty dozen, the 15 clean foods are considered to have a lower risk of pesticide residue, and therefore shelling out organic equivalents is not that important from a health standpoint.

Avocados
Sweet corn
Pineapples
Cabbage
Onions
Frozen peas
Papayas
Asparagus
Mangoes
Aubergines
Sweet melon
Kiwi
Cantaloupe melon
Cauliflower
Broccoli

How to save money on organic food:

Many people believe that organic foods and products cost more, but this is not always the case. Many organic items are priced the same if not less than non-organic products and several retailers have their own organic ranges for sale.

A spokesperson for the Soil Association suggested stocking up on staples like legumes, pasta, rice and whole grains.

Buying organic produce directly from farmers’ markets and stores or through a special delivery plan is often the cheapest way to buy. If this is not possible, consider making the transition to organic food in stages.

Prioritize buying the dirty dozen organically and gradually introduce more products when possible straight from the source or when you have more money to spend.

Eating with the seasons is a good way to buy cheaper organic fruits and vegetables, as they will often have surpluses and discounts when they are in season. Check our seasonal calendar to see what foods are in season and when.

Planning your meals and eating less meat will also save you money and will often reduce food waste.

The Soil Association emphasizes: “When organic costs more, you are paying for the extra care that organic farmers give to the environment and animal welfare.”

What do you think of organic food? Have you always bought organic food and swear or are you still not convinced? Head over to our Facebook page to join the conversation!