Understanding  Food  Marketing  Terms    

Natural:  no  formal  FDA  definition;  may  be  used  if  the  product  does  not  contain  added  color,  artificial  substances  or  synthetic  substances  

 Whole:  no  regulatory  definition  of  whole  foods    Organic:  defined  and  inspected  by  USDA;  forbid  the  use  of  synthetic  fertilizers,  pesticides,  sewage  sludge,  irradiation,  and  genetic  engineering.    Animals  must  have  access  to  the  outdoors,  no  growth  hormones,  no  antibiotics,  or  other  drugs.    All  feed  must  be  100%  organic  and  free  of  any  animal  by  products.    Additional  standards  for  handling  and  processing  apply.    100%  Organic  =  completely  organic  or  made  only  of  organic  ingredients    

Organic  =  at  least  95%  of  the  ingredients  qualify    

Made  with  Organic  Ingredients  =  at  least  70%ingredients  are  certified  organic  

The Organic vs. Conventional Foods

Debate

Are  Organic  Foods  Healthier?    

“At  this  point  there’s  no  conclusive  scientific  evidence  that  shows  that  organically  produced  foods  are  healthier”  -­‐‑Spokesperson  for  the  Academy  of  Nutrition    &  Dietetics  

But…  Analytical  studies  comparing  the  nutrient  content  of  plants  is  

complicated  AND…  

it’s  not  just  a  question  about  the  nutrient  content    

• Healthier  soils  grow  healthier  foods  which  make  for  healthy  people  

• antibiotic  resistant  bacterial  infections  from  unnecessary  antibiotic  use  in  animals  

• may  mean  less  energy  and  fewer  green  house  gas  emissions  

1

The  Dirty  Dozen  Apples  Celery  

Cherry  Tomatoes  Cucumbers  Grapes  

Hot  Peppers  Nectarines  Peaches  Spinach  

Strawberries  Sweet  Bell  Peppers  

2

Clean  15    

Asparagus   Avocados  Cabbage   Cantaloupe  

Sweet  Corn   Eggplant  Grapefruit   Kiwi  Mangos   Mushrooms  Onions   Papayas  

Pineapples   Sweet  Peas  (frozen)  Sweet  Potatoes  

 

Organic  Food  is  20-­‐‑100%  more  expensive    

• no  herbicides/pesticides  =  more  crop  loss  &  less  yield  • higher  labor  costs  for  weeding  &  pest  control  • more  expensive  animal  feed  • fee  for  organic  certification  

 

Tips  to  save  $$  when  buying  organic    

1.    Buy  in  season  2.    Farmers  markets,  CSA,  coops  3.    Shop  at  stores  that  specialize  in  organic  4.    Use  coupons,  buy  in  bulk  &  shop  sales  5.    Utilize  private  label  brands