Going Organic

BusinessWeek asks, 'Does pay to buy organic?' with this article. The answer is hardly simple. First you have to understand what it means to be an organic certified product. The rules are pretty lengthy. Generally speaking, being organic means that there were some form of regulations employed to govern production that limited or eliminated the use of synthetic pesticides [PDF], fertilizers, antibiotics, growth hormones and feed made by animal parts. The regulations depend on where the food is coming from. In Canada, we have our own national standards [PDF], but they may be complimented (or complicated) by provincial regulations and enforcement mechanisms. If the food is originating from outside Canada -- and really, our food supply has gone global [PDF] -- it gets more complicated. Bottom line: youngsters are the highest at risk. Their bodies are still developing, and as such, accumulation of chemicals in their systems can be harmful to their mental and physical development. This risk is greater for pregnant women. To stay on top of it all requires deep pockets to pay the higher prices for organic food or education to determine how best to lower your exposure. Here are some links that will provide more information:
  • Organic Center for Education & Promotion
  • USDA Pesticide Data Program
  • Effects of Environmental Pollutants on Birth Outcomes [PDF]
  • The Health Effects of Pesticides
  • CDC's Report on Human Exposure to Environmental Chemicals [PDF] or see the Summary [PDF], which is only 6 pages.
  • Eco-Labels -- will help you understand product labels.
    • Report Card on Pesticides in Produce

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