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What is the explanation for the USDA regulations for organic foods?
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Where do you get organic foods?
You can get organic foods in virtually any large grocery store chain in America. You can recognize organic foods by the green USDA Certified Organic label. If you are buying produce, organic produce will have a sticker that starts with the number 9.
Is the USDA sticker on all organic foods?
No, the USDA sticker is not on all organic foods. All foods labeled as organic must be certified by an "agent" that must be certified by USDA. Any product that is certified organic is also USDA certified organic.
Do bar codes indicate organic foods?
The USDA's National Organic Program does have a standard symbol for products that are made with at least 95% organic ingredients - a circle with the words "USDA Organic" inside. Unfortunately, the standards in the US are not as clearly defined or enforced as elsewhere so it is always best to read the labels. The current standards can be found on the USDA's website at usda.gov.
What do you mean by organic foods and which are the organic foods?
When people refer to organic foods, they mean foods that are grown without using toxic chemicals such as insecticides, fungicides, herbicides, and synthetic fertilizers. Almost all foods can be purchased from companies that grow them organically. What you need to look for is a USDA Organic seal on the packaging, or, on produce with stickers, find foods with a PLU code that is 5 digits long and starts with a 9.
What does a farmer have to do to claim his foods as organic?
A farmer can claim his foods are organic, but in order to substantiate the claim, the farmer should back up that claim in some way, either by being certified by a reliable independent certification agency or seeking organic certification from the USDA.
Are there any pesticides on organic foods?
No. Organic foods do not contain any pesticides in them. This is what makes organic food different from conventional or natural foods. Although organic food does not use any pesticides, they use natural substances that are approved by USDA and other organic organizations. These help avoid pests while maintaining the soil’s health too. One of the brands that grows its food completely naturally without the use of any pesticide is Organic Tattva. They have over 100 organic products which are certified organic by the USDA.
What does the term food means?
Organic foods are non-GMO and are grown without the use of synthetic pesticides and fertilizers, though in the United States foods labeled USDA Organic are allowed to use pesicides under certain situations, usually when there is a major insect infestation. Organic foods do not use artifical ingredients.
What is the difference between natural and organic?
Natural is not specifically defined in food production, so it really does not mean much at all. Organic is a very specific way of growing foods that does not use chemical (man-made) pesticides, herbicides, and fertilizers. Food labeling of organic foods is a bit complicated. The USDA (United States Department of Agriculture) allows chemicals to be used on organic foods in certain situations, so foods labeled "USDA organic" could have had chemicals used on them, but certainly not the amounts used on non-organic foods, and they may not be true organic foods. There would be no way to know if chemicals were used. If a food is labeled "organic," it likely is not totally organic. According to the FDA (U.S. Food and Drug Administration) it only has to contain 70% organic ingredients. Other ingredients can have GMOs or anything. In order to be 100% organic, food must be labeled "100% organic."
How organic foods benefit us as an individual and the environment as a whole?
Chemical fertilizers and pesticides are not used in organic gardening/farming, though according to USDA guidelines, pesicides can be used in certain situations, so under normal circumstance organically grown foods are chemical free. Also, organic foods are for the most part GMO free, though according to government regulations, they do not have to be totally GMO free. Since synthetic pesticides and chemical fertilizers are not used, the environment is not being harmed. In fact, part of organic growing is building up the soil, so the soil benefits from organic farming.
Are shelled eggs pasteurized?
No. Fresh eggs are not heated. Government regulations require that USDA-graded eggs be carefully washed and sanitized using only compounds meeting FDA regulations for processing foods.
What are the pros and cons of organization?
Pros and Cons of Organic Foods:Pros - Organic foods contain no chemicals, pesticides, herbicides, additives or preservatives. They contain no GMOs. Some research has shown that organically grown foods contain more nutrients. Growing food organically is environmentally friendly.Cons: Organic foods often cost more, sometimes much more, making buying them prohibitive. When purchasing USDA certified foods, there is a small chance that they may not be totally chemical free; the USDA allows the use of chemicals in certain situations.
Are there different types of organic?
Yes and no. True organic foods are grown without the use of synthetic fertilizers and pesticides and do not contain any GMOs. That is not always the way it is, though. The USDA allows synthetic pesticides to be used under certain circumstances, so even if a food is labeled 100% organic or USDA certified, there is a chance that it is not totally organically grown.
