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Is there an official definition of organic?
What does “certified organic” mean?
Can any type of agriculture product become certified organic?
Who regulates the certified organic claims?
Are all organic products completely free of pesticide residue?
Do organic farmers ever use pesticides? 
How will purchasing organic products keep water clean?
Is organic food better for you?
Why does organic food cost more?
Is organic food just a fad?

Organic refers to the way agricultural products - food and fiber- are grown and processed. Organic food production is based on a system of farming that maintains and replenishes soil fertility without the use of toxic and persistent pesticides and fertilizers.  Organic foods are minimally processed without artificial ingredients, preservatives or irradiation to maintain the integrity of the food.

 Is there an official definition of organic? 

The following excerpt is from the definition of “organic” the National Organics Standards Board adopted in April 1995. “Organic agriculture is an ecological production management system that promotes and enhances biodiversity, biological cycles and soil biological activity.  It is based on minimal use of off-farm inputs and on management practices that restore and maintain ecological harmony!

What does “certified organic” mean?

“Certified organic” means the item has been grown according to strict uniform standards that are verified independent state or private organizations.   Certification includes inspection of farm fields and processing facilities, detail records keeping, testing of soil and water to insure that growers and handlers are meeting the standards that have been set!

 Can any type of agriculture product become certified organic?

Yes.  Any type of agricultural product that meets state third party or state certification requirements may be considered organic. Organic foods are becoming available in an impressive variety including pasta, prepared sauces, frozen juices, ice cream and frozen novelties, cereal, meats, poultry, soups, chocolates, beer, vodka and more. These foods, in order to be certified organic, have all been grown and processed according to organic standards and must maintain a high level of quality. Organic fibers products have moved beyond T shirts and include bed bath linens, table cloths, napkins, famine hygiene products, men’s women’s and children’s clothing.

Who regulates the certified organic claims?

The federal government set the standard for the production, processing and certification of organic foods. The organic food production act! Of 1990.(OFPA).  The national Organic Standards board was then established to develop guidelines and procedures to regulate all organic crops.  The US department of Agriculture (USDA) during December of 2000 unveiled detailed regulations to implement OFPA.  This took affect on April 21, 2001 with an 18 month implementation period ending in October 2002.  At that time any food labeled organic must meet the national organic standards.  USDA’s National organic program overseas the program.

 Are all organic products completely free of pesticide residue?

Certified organic products are grown and handled according to strict standards without toxic and persistent chemical inputs. However organic crops are inadvertently exposed to agricultural chemicals that are now pervasive in the ground water due to their overuse in the last 50 years in North America and due to drifts in wind and rain.

 Do organic farmers ever use pesticides?  

Prevention is the farmer’s primary strategy for disease, weed and insect control, but by building hearty soils, organic farmers find that healthy plants are better able to resist disease and insects. When pest populations get out of balance

Growers will try various options like insect predators, traps and barriers.  If these fail then permission may be granted by the certifier to apply botanicals or other non persistent pest controls under strict conditions.  Botanicals are derived from planets and are broken down quickly by oxygen and sunlight!

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 How will purchasing organic products keep water clean?

Conventional agricultural methods can cause water contamination. Beginning in 1995, a network of environmental organizations, including the environmental working group began testing tap water for herbicides in cities across the United States, Corn Belt, Lousiana, and Maryland. The results revealed wide spread contamination of tape water with many different pesticide level which posed serious health risks.  In some cities herbicides in tap water exceed federal lifetime health standards for weeks or months at a time!  Organic farmer’s elimination of polluting chemicals and nitrogen leaching in combination with soil building works to prevent contamination and conserves water resources.

 Is organic food better for you?

There is no conclusive evidence at this time that suggests that organically produced food is more nutritious.  Rather foods and fibers are spared the application of toxic and persistent insecticides, herbicides, fungicides and fertilizers.  Many EPA approved pesticides registered long before extensive research linked these chemicals to cancer and other diseases. In the long run, organic farming techniques provide a more sustainable living for everyone.

 Why does organic food cost more? 

Prices for organic foods reflect many of the same costs as conventional items such as growing, harvesting, transportation and storage.  Organically produced foods must meet stricter regulations governing all of these steps so the process is always labor and management intensive,. and farming tends to be on a smaller scale.

Is organic food just a fad?  

No!.U.S. sales of organic food totaled 5.4 billion in 1998, 6.5 billion in 1999 and reached 7.8 billion in 2000.  The market has grown 20 to 24 % annually during the `1990’s. The adoption of national standards for certification is expected to open up new markets for U.S. for U.S. organic producers.

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