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In these letters, you often hear me talk about the importance of eating healthy, natural, organic food. Organic food is often higher in healthy nutrients. You don’t have to worry about chemicals—like pesticides and herbicides—when you buy organic. And finally, you can be sure that you’re not supporting unsustainable—and sometimes immoral—factory farming when you eat organic foods. However, most people don’t realize that the term ‘organic’ is heavily regulated—and it can be difficult for small farmers to grab the designation. And many of the benefits of ‘organic’ foods can be found in offerings that don’t quite fit the USDA’s definition. Often at a substantial discount.
So today, let’s take a look at what, exactly, organic means according to the USDA. And which of these conditions are most important. Finally, I’ll tell you where you can find foods that don’t get the label, but are just as friendly to your health—and much friendlier to your wallet.
What is ‘organic’ food?
There are six main requirements for food to get the organic label.
- They can’t use GMOs at all. There can be no genetic engineering involved in any step of the process.
- They can’t be grown using artificial materials, like most pesticides, synthetic fertilizers, and antibiotics. However, there’s a little wiggle room here, so your organic produce might have had a small amount of chemical help.
- Plants and animals have to be grown or raised in a way that is sustainable and promotes nature and biodiversity within the area.
- Animals have to be free to roam outdoors and live a natural lifestyle. No cage raising.
- If a farm grows organic and inorganic foods, they must be kept separate.
- Every farm has to have an annual inspection to ensure standards are being met.
There are a number of regulations related to each of these broad categories, but those are the basics.
However, as you can guess, some of these regulations are more important than others.
For instance, natural grazing is extremely important. To give one example, grass-fed cattle produce many more essential nutrients, like omega-3s. Grass and clover are rich in omega-3s, and when cows eat this natural feed, it moves up the chain to you.
But other regulations aren’t as essential—not to your health, anyway.
Annual inspections are good for ensuring compliance, but they don’t make a whit of difference to the health of the food you eat.
And those inspections can be expensive—from a few hundred dollars, to tens of thousands. You can see why a small farmer—doing everything right—might not get that organic certification.
by Dr. Connealy's Newsletter
