Comments on: Organic doesn’t always mean safer or better http://foodpluspolitics.com/2009/07/03/organic-doesnt-always-mean-safer-or-better/ Recipes from scratch and a lot of chatter about food ( plus a little about politics ) Fri, 26 Feb 2010 00:15:43 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.6 hourly 1 By: ellaella http://foodpluspolitics.com/2009/07/03/organic-doesnt-always-mean-safer-or-better/#comment-5797 ellaella Wed, 08 Jul 2009 10:40:25 +0000 http://foodpluspolitics.com/?p=4049#comment-5797 I certainly shall. Thanks. I certainly shall. Thanks.

]]> By: OrganicTrade http://foodpluspolitics.com/2009/07/03/organic-doesnt-always-mean-safer-or-better/#comment-5795 OrganicTrade Tue, 07 Jul 2009 17:25:32 +0000 http://foodpluspolitics.com/?p=4049#comment-5795 I'm glad to know that you find our post helpful. Please feel free to contact me if you'd like more information about organic. Alternatively, I'd encourage you to visit the OTA website, www.ota.com, which contains a wealth of information about organic standards, regulations, health and environmental benefts, as well as the latest news and trends around organic. I’m glad to know that you find our post helpful. Please feel free to contact me if you’d like more information about organic. Alternatively, I’d encourage you to visit the OTA website, http://www.ota.com, which contains a wealth of information about organic standards, regulations, health and environmental benefts, as well as the latest news and trends around organic.

]]> By: ellaella http://foodpluspolitics.com/2009/07/03/organic-doesnt-always-mean-safer-or-better/#comment-5793 ellaella Mon, 06 Jul 2009 18:40:33 +0000 http://foodpluspolitics.com/?p=4049#comment-5793 Thanks very much for your comments. Many of the labeling specifics in your first graf are outlined in the Post sidebar I linked to, but not in such detail. And of course, not everyone follows links for further information. I'm glad to have your information here, where it's easily seen. Thanks very much for your comments. Many of the labeling specifics in your first graf are outlined in the Post sidebar I linked to, but not in such detail. And of course, not everyone follows links for further information. I’m glad to have your information here, where it’s easily seen.

]]> By: OrganicTrade http://foodpluspolitics.com/2009/07/03/organic-doesnt-always-mean-safer-or-better/#comment-5792 OrganicTrade Mon, 06 Jul 2009 17:46:48 +0000 http://foodpluspolitics.com/?p=4049#comment-5792 By law, organic products must comply with federal regulations for production and handling. These regulations prohibit the use of toxic and persistent pesticides, antibiotics, synthetic hormones, and genetic engineering, among other things, and specifically outline what can - and cannot- be identified as organic. They state, for example, that products labeled “100% Organic” and carrying the “USDA Organic” seal be just that – they contain all organically produced ingredients. Products that are made from at least 95% organic ingredients, and have remaining ingredients that are approved for use in organic products may also carry the “USDA Organic” seal. Products that contain at least 70% organic ingredients may label those on the ingredient listing and identify themselves as "made with organic," while products containing less than 70% organic ingredients may list only those ingredients that are organic on the ingredient panel with no mention of organic on their main panel. These and other organic regulations offer consumers both a clear definition in which they can trust and assurance that the organic products they buy and consume are produced and processed in a manner that maintains product integrity that begins on the farm. Federal organic standards have not been “relaxed.” Rigorously enforced standards can and do go hand-in-hand with growth. The organic industry and OTA have long pushed for national organic regulations that consumers could rely on. As a result, organic agriculture and products remain the most strictly regulated, as well as the fastest growing, food system in the United States today. By law, organic products must comply with federal regulations for production and handling. These regulations prohibit the use of toxic and persistent pesticides, antibiotics, synthetic hormones, and genetic engineering, among other things, and specifically outline what can – and cannot- be identified as organic. They state, for example, that products labeled “100% Organic” and carrying the “USDA Organic” seal be just that – they contain all organically produced ingredients. Products that are made from at least 95% organic ingredients, and have remaining ingredients that are approved for use in organic products may also carry the “USDA Organic” seal. Products that contain at least 70% organic ingredients may label those on the ingredient listing and identify themselves as “made with organic,” while products containing less than 70% organic ingredients may list only those ingredients that are organic on the ingredient panel with no mention of organic on their main panel. These and other organic regulations offer consumers both a clear definition in which they can trust and assurance that the organic products they buy and consume are produced and processed in a manner that maintains product integrity that begins on the farm.

Federal organic standards have not been “relaxed.” Rigorously enforced standards can and do go hand-in-hand with growth. The organic industry and OTA have long pushed for national organic regulations that consumers could rely on. As a result, organic agriculture and products remain the most strictly regulated, as well as the fastest growing, food system in the United States today.

]]> By: ellaella http://foodpluspolitics.com/2009/07/03/organic-doesnt-always-mean-safer-or-better/#comment-5776 ellaella Sat, 04 Jul 2009 10:25:56 +0000 http://foodpluspolitics.com/?p=4049#comment-5776 I hear you, Nate. And the cost of living in your area is high enough to begin with. Many organics here are 50% higher in price than their conventional counterparts and when the conventionals are on sale, it can be 100% or more. That was the case recently with blueberries, which I love, and I couldn't bring myself to spend almost $4 for organics when I got twice as much for $3. I hear you, Nate. And the cost of living in your area is high enough to begin with. Many organics here are 50% higher in price than their conventional counterparts and when the conventionals are on sale, it can be 100% or more. That was the case recently with blueberries, which I love, and I couldn’t bring myself to spend almost $4 for organics when I got twice as much for $3.

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