Organic vs. Non-Organic Food: Is There Really a Difference?

Step into a supermarket in the USA, and you will surely find many organic options. Plenty of people across the States opt for these, thinking they are healthier. Yet, so many of us have no clear idea of the difference between organic and non-organic food. Have you ever wondered how this label is assigned? We’re here to bring clarity! Based on information from the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) and Mayo Clinic, here is everything you need to know so you can make an informed choice the next time you visit the supermarket.

Note: The content of this article is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional advice. Always consult with a qualified professional for advice tailored to your individual circumstances.

Defining Organic

The USDA’s official website states: “USDA certified organic foods are grown and processed according to federal guidelines addressing, among many factors, soil quality, animal raising practices, pest and weed control, and use of additives.” In other words, organic food is grown on good-quality soil, with a controlled list of pesticides, and with better animal practices.

Prohibited Substances

Organic products must generally be grown on soil that has been free from all USDA-prohibited substances for at least three years. Among these are most synthetic fertilizers and pesticides. If a farmer decides to use one of these on his crop, he first must ensure that the given fertilizers and pesticides are approved according to strict criteria.

Animal Products

The term ‘organic’ is also linked to animal practices that reduce cruelty. For instance, organic meat regulations require all animals to be raised in conditions that accommodate their natural behaviors. Cows should be able to graze on pasture instead of spending their entire lives indoors. This is why people interested in animal welfare, both meat eaters and non-meat eaters, prefer organic food.

Antibiotics

For a meat product to be labeled as ‘organic,’ animals cannot be administered antibiotics or hormones. This is for several reasons. For instance, giving cows and other animals antibiotics increases the rising threat of antibiotic resistance. This is a massive problem we rarely consider when discussing the negative impact of the meat industry on our planet.

Processed, Multi-Ingredient Foods

The USDA has even more regulations regarding processed, multi-ingredient foods, as these are made from several ingredients that must all follow certain rules. For instance, artificial preservatives, colors, or flavors must be absent from the final product. In addition, most ingredients used to create these need to be organic, with a few exceptions, such as enzymes in yogurt, baking soda, and pectin in fruit jams.

Unclear Standards And Labels

While everyone can consult the USDA standards on the official website, doing so requires lots of time, effort, and knowledge of the most common pesticides, chemical compounds, etc. On top of this, there are plenty of labels, such as ‘100% organic,’ ‘organic,’ ‘made with organic ingredients.’ and more. This means that most people are often left wondering what the real difference is and whether they should start investing in organic food for their health.

Organic Food

In order to be defined as organic food, a certain item must contain at least 95% organic ingredients, not counting water and salt. In addition, all ingredients that are not labeled as such must come from a list of USDA-approved additional ingredients. This differs slightly from 100% organic food, in which all ingredients must be labeled ‘organic.’

Made With Organic…

If you live in the USA, you’ve surely seen foods labeled as ‘made with organic…’ followed by a food group or ingredient. This may be puzzling to some. Does this mean the product is organic? Yes and no. To be precise, these items are made with 70% organic ingredients. But what about the remaining 30%? This can contain non-organic ingredients but must be produced without prohibited practices, such as genetic engineering.

Natural Vs Organic

Have you ever wondered what the difference between natural and organic is? This can be quite tricky for those who have never researched this topic. To put it simply, when the word ‘natural’ appears on a package, it usually refers to the fact that no artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives have been added. However, this label has no relation to the methods used to grow the food in the final product.

Is Organic Food Healthier?

It is still unclear whether organic food is healthier than regular food. It may contain small to moderate increases in some nutrients and lower levels of some toxic metals such as cadmium. However, organic products may still be high in sugar, salt, fat, or calories.

What About The Environment?

While buying organic products might or might not make a huge difference in our health, there are substantial environmental benefits to choosing these products. The use of fewer pesticides and its less intensive farming methods make organic food a great choice for everyone concerned about the future of our planet. It is up to all of us to decide whether this is something we can afford.

The Downside

Unfortunately, there are some downsides to organic food. The main one is surely the price. If you’ve ever checked organic food, you’ve probably realized that most of it tends to cost way more than regular food. One reason is that it is grown using farming methods that tend to be more expensive, leading to higher prices. This is why so many families decide to avoid these products.

This article was inspired by the USDA and Mayo Clinic.