explaining the organic food trend by: nicole grimes

Explaining the Organic Food Trend

By: Nicole Grimes

USDA Organic Standards

• No antibiotics

• No growth hormones

• Animals raised on organic feed

• Farmed without pesticides or herbicides

• Farmed without synthetic fertilizers

• Placed on all products made with 95-100% organic ingredients

• Products with at least 70% organic ingredients may state “Made with Organic Ingredients”

Pesky Pesticides

Over 400 chemicals are used to kill pests and weeds

Pesticides implicated in:

Cancer (Specifically breast cancer)

Male Infertility

Parkinson’s Disease

Hormones and Antibiotics

• Cause antibacterial resistance in humans

• May increase exposure to Mad Cow Disease

The USDA states that organic foods are:

“No more Nutritious than Conventionally grown foods”

Extra Expense $$$

• Whole Food brand Organic applesauce: $2.99

• Motts Regular applesauce: $1.49

Organic Foods you can Skip

• Potato Chips• Ice Cream• Product with

processed white flour

• All other nutrient-deficient food

Organic Foods you can Skip

• All Seafood and Fish

• The USDA has yet to set standards for organic seafood and fish products

• Products labeled as “organic” can still contain harmful contaminants such as mercury

Organic Foods you can Skip

• Shucked or Peeled fruits and veggies

• Bananas• Avocados• Sweet Corn• Sweet Peas

Organic Foods Worth Buying

• Meats• Poultry• Eggs• Dairy Products

Organic Foods Worth Buying

• Apples• Grapes• Spinach• Peaches• Pears• Strawberries• Cherries• Raspberries• Blueberries

The Dirty Dozen • Apples• Peaches• Bell Peppers• Celery• Nectarine• Strawberries• Cherries• Kale• Lettuce• Grapes (Imported)• Carrots• Pears

The Clean Fifteen • Onion• Avocado• Sweet corn • Pineapple• Mango• Asparagus• Sweet Peas• Kiwi• Cabbage• Eggplant• Papaya• Watermelon• Broccoli• Tomato• Sweet Potato

National Organic Program www.ams.usda.gov/nop

Carl Winter foodsafe.ucdavis.edu/music.html