Eating organic : Myths and realities

Buying and eating organic produce and meats has been in the recent social debate. Is it a myth or reality to eat organic ?

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It’s unclear whether it’s healthier to eat organic foods and if the high prices are worth it along with its overall environmental impact.

Organic foods can be considered as such if and only if they pass certain guidelines held by government environmental agencies. In the United States the Department of Agriculture decides whether a food is organic.

Organic produce and foods have fewer synthetic pesticides and other fertilizers. Organic foods also can’t have hormones or antibiotics in the US. In the US, in order for foods to be considered organic they must be at least 95% organic.

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Are organic foods healthier ? 

There have been many tests and studies about whether organic foods are healthier than non organic foods, however it’s still unclear if there are any large health benefits. 

Organic food is more expensive than non-organic foods in both France and the US. Organic foods in France are 44% more expensive than non-organic foods in supermarkets. In the US organic foods range from 10-50% more expensive than non-organic.

Even though French organic food is more expensive, the organic produce market has expanded very rapidly in recent years. The organic market in France is now worth more than 13 billion and the amount of organic farmland has doubled in the past 5 years. 

In France AB, or Agriculture Biologique was created in 1985, as a system of deciding whether products are organic or not. AB also has strict limits on the usage of antibiotics in foods with a ban on tetracycline and streptomycin. Recently, the US and the European Union’s standards on organic foods have aligned. 

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What’s the difference ? 

Organic and non-organic have no difference in taste or look and it’s unclear whether there is that much of an impact on the health of the consumer. Organic foods may contain more micronutrients like magnesium and vitamin C but other health benefits haven’t been verified. 

Even if non-organic food doesn’t have a huge impact on your health, it does have one on the environment. Harmful pesticides and fertilizers can impact wildlife, contaminate waterways and change the ecosystems where they are used.   

Do you eat organic food ? If yes, share your experience with us on WhatsApp. If not, tell us why. We will share it on our social networks.