What Does Certified Organic Mean?
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D. Golden
Mar 23, 2013, 5:40:19 PM3/23/13
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Please consider this free-reprint article written by:
D. Golden
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Article Title: What Does Certified Organic Mean?
Author: D. Golden
Word Count: 1125
Article URL: http://www.isnare.com/?aid=129936&ca=Food+and+Drinks
Format: 64cpl
Contact The Author: http://www.isnare.com/eta.php?aid=129936
Easy Publish Tool: http://www.isnare.com/html.php?aid=129936
*********************** ARTICLE START ***********************
The meaning of �ｿｽorganic�ｿｽ.
The dictionary says organic means of, related to or derived from living organisms. Most people reading this will say,
�ｿｽyes, yes I knew that�ｿｽ. But what you may not know is that the use of this word by producers and manufacturers can be
misused or misunderstood. It�ｿｽs use is far more complicated then slapping the term on a box or can and calling it
organic. As I�ｿｽm sure every citizen of this country is aware by now, manufacturers twist terms, words, and phrases into
the image they want to portray to the public. Unfortunately this rarely reflects the true nature of the product,
healthy or otherwise. It�ｿｽs generally a sales ploy.
�ｿｽAll Natural�ｿｽ as an example
We�ｿｽve all heard the words �ｿｽall natural�ｿｽ for many, many years and we�ｿｽve all been duped for many, many years into
believing this meant the product we were consuming was completely of nature when of course there is no guarantee that
it truly is �ｿｽall natural.�ｿｽ Manufacturers may include plant abstracts or juices in products, call it natural, then add
in chemical preservatives, dies, and perfumes thus rendering an originally healthy product toxic and the public is
rarely aware of it as they go about their daily lives. Not only that but natural ingredients is no guarantee that they
weren�ｿｽt grown in chemical laden fields or taken from hormone laced livestock. This is an example of a very misused
term and one that is unregulated by the government. Buyer beware!
So what is �ｿｽcertified organic�ｿｽ?
The same applies, to varying degree, to the products labeled organic, accept that there are some USDA rules and
guidelines for the use of the term �ｿｽcertified organic�ｿｽ. In order for a product to carry the USDA certified organic
label it must be 95% organic. This leaves 5% leeway for manufacturers to insert non-organic stuff, maybe non-organic
ingredients, maybe preservatives, maybe anything. To be guaranteed of a 100% organic product you must look for the
100% symbol. The USDA stamp alone is no promise that there isn�ｿｽt some toxic substance in that extra 5%. Products may
be labeled �ｿｽmade with certified organic ingredients�ｿｽ if they are 70% organic, meaning that 30% may be of non-organic
origins. And finally manufacturers are permitted to list organically produced ingredients on the side label if their
product contains less then 70% certified organic ingredients. So, conclusion: it is very hard to escape the chemical
world we�ｿｽve all been plunged into, willingly or unwillingly.
Certified organic gets downplayed by congress<
Unfortunately for consumers and those dedicated to the organic revolution Congress relaxed its certified organic
guidelines in 2005. Loopholes in new guidelines could allow dairy animals treated with antibiotics, animal by-products
and hormones as babies to be converted to organic production. The loophole may also allow artificial or chemical
substances, including nearly 500 food contact chemicals to be used in organic processed food without approval.
Finally, these new guidelines allow non-organic ingredients to be substituted for organic without notification during
�ｿｽemergency decrees�ｿｽ. This basically opens the consumers back up to the onslaught of man-made toxins when they thought
they were buying healthier, chemical-free products. All this happened despite huge consumer, and organic producer
opposition, making this writer have to wonder whose best interest does congress have at heart?
What does it take to become certified organic?
Needless to say, becoming certified organic by the USDA is very difficult, costly and time consuming. Their guidelines
and rules can be stringent and tough. For growers this includes abstaining from the use of chemical poisons, such as
pesticides, and sewage slug 3 years prior to certification. This often means allowing fields to lie fallow for three
years, producing no revenue for the farmer. Growers may not use pesticides and other chemical poisons during the
duration of their certification. Organic growers may not use genetically altered or enhanced organisms nor may they
irradiate. They must also practice sustainable farming methods which include, soil building, crop rotation, manure
management and conservation of the land. Ranchers must provide outdoor pasture for grazers. Pasture land is required
to be free of pesticides and other poisons as well. Livestock may not be treated with unnecessary antibiotics or
hormones and must be fed only certified organic feed. Finally, growers and ranchers must avoid contamination with
toxins during collection and processing and keep meticulous records of all operations. The guidelines for
manufacturers are just as stringent in their controls. But it doesn�ｿｽt stop there. The USDA sends inspectors annually
to check records and crops. Often times they come unannounced.
So why do they do it? Why do growers choose to go through the rigors of gaining organic certification?
Firstly there is a growing community of farmers, gardeners, ranchers, producers and manufacturers that believe in
sustainable methods of producing food and other products. These people see much further into the future, preparing,
keeping, maintaining and protecting the ground for future generations as opposed to mining the ground for short term
gain. Basically they do it because they believe in it and they believe in its growth and it is growing.
So why the heck do organics cost so much more?
There are a couple of reasons for this. Firstly there will be lower crop yield due to natural processes we once
controlled with poisons. Secondly, the rules and regulations imposed by the USDA require much more time and attention
to detail costing the farmer and manufacturer. Thirdly, though growing, the industry remains small. As we all know as
the supply begins to actually balance with demand, prices go down. Meaning the more you buy, the more the farmer can
afford to produce thus lowering his prices. Just like with anything else.
It has even been mentioned that adding together all the money the country spends in health care to treat toxin related
diseases, the cost to clean up toxic spills and other related needs equals or exceeds the difference we pay for
certified organic products which protect our health and environment from ever becoming damaged in the first place.
About The Author: Find information, blogs, articles, comments and http://www.eco-organural.com certified organic products to create for yourself a healthy home and environment at Organural: Re-Discovering Nature
Please use the HTML version of this article at:
http://www.isnare.com/html.php?aid=129936
*********************** ARTICLE END ***********************
- To distribute your articles go to http://www.isnare.com/distribution.php
- For more free-reprint articles go to http://www.isnare.com
Message delivered directly to members of the group:
publish-the...@googlegroups.com
*****************************************************************
Please consider this free-reprint article written by:
D. Golden
*****************************
IMPORTANT - Publication/Reprint Terms
- You have permission to publish this article electronically in free-only publications such as a website or an ezine as long as the bylines are included.
- You are not allowed to use this article for commercial purposes. The article should only be reprinted in a publicly accessible website and not in a members-only commercial site.
- You are not allowed to post/reprint this article in any sites/publications that contains or supports hate, violence, porn and warez or any indecent and illegal sites/publications.
- You are not allowed to use this article in UCE (Unsolicited Commercial Email) or SPAM. This article MUST be distributed in an opt-in email list only.
- If you distribute this article in an ezine or newsletter, we ask that you send a copy of the newsletter or ezine that contains the article to http://www.isnare.com/eta.php?aid=129936
- If you post this article in a website/forum/blog, ALL links MUST be set to hyperlinks and we ask that you send a copy of the URL where the article is posted to http://www.isnare.com/eta.php?aid=129936
- We request that you ask permission from the author if you want to publish this article in print.
The role of iSnare.com is only to distribute this article as part of its Article Distribution feature ( http://www.isnare.com/distribution.php ). iSnare.com does NOT own this article, please respect the author's copyright and this publication/reprint terms. If you do not agree to any of these terms, please do not reprint or publish this article.
*****************************
Article Title: What Does Certified Organic Mean?
Author: D. Golden
Word Count: 1125
Article URL: http://www.isnare.com/?aid=129936&ca=Food+and+Drinks
Format: 64cpl
Contact The Author: http://www.isnare.com/eta.php?aid=129936
Easy Publish Tool: http://www.isnare.com/html.php?aid=129936
*********************** ARTICLE START ***********************
The meaning of �ｿｽorganic�ｿｽ.
The dictionary says organic means of, related to or derived from living organisms. Most people reading this will say,
�ｿｽyes, yes I knew that�ｿｽ. But what you may not know is that the use of this word by producers and manufacturers can be
misused or misunderstood. It�ｿｽs use is far more complicated then slapping the term on a box or can and calling it
organic. As I�ｿｽm sure every citizen of this country is aware by now, manufacturers twist terms, words, and phrases into
the image they want to portray to the public. Unfortunately this rarely reflects the true nature of the product,
healthy or otherwise. It�ｿｽs generally a sales ploy.
�ｿｽAll Natural�ｿｽ as an example
We�ｿｽve all heard the words �ｿｽall natural�ｿｽ for many, many years and we�ｿｽve all been duped for many, many years into
believing this meant the product we were consuming was completely of nature when of course there is no guarantee that
it truly is �ｿｽall natural.�ｿｽ Manufacturers may include plant abstracts or juices in products, call it natural, then add
in chemical preservatives, dies, and perfumes thus rendering an originally healthy product toxic and the public is
rarely aware of it as they go about their daily lives. Not only that but natural ingredients is no guarantee that they
weren�ｿｽt grown in chemical laden fields or taken from hormone laced livestock. This is an example of a very misused
term and one that is unregulated by the government. Buyer beware!
So what is �ｿｽcertified organic�ｿｽ?
The same applies, to varying degree, to the products labeled organic, accept that there are some USDA rules and
guidelines for the use of the term �ｿｽcertified organic�ｿｽ. In order for a product to carry the USDA certified organic
label it must be 95% organic. This leaves 5% leeway for manufacturers to insert non-organic stuff, maybe non-organic
ingredients, maybe preservatives, maybe anything. To be guaranteed of a 100% organic product you must look for the
100% symbol. The USDA stamp alone is no promise that there isn�ｿｽt some toxic substance in that extra 5%. Products may
be labeled �ｿｽmade with certified organic ingredients�ｿｽ if they are 70% organic, meaning that 30% may be of non-organic
origins. And finally manufacturers are permitted to list organically produced ingredients on the side label if their
product contains less then 70% certified organic ingredients. So, conclusion: it is very hard to escape the chemical
world we�ｿｽve all been plunged into, willingly or unwillingly.
Certified organic gets downplayed by congress<
Unfortunately for consumers and those dedicated to the organic revolution Congress relaxed its certified organic
guidelines in 2005. Loopholes in new guidelines could allow dairy animals treated with antibiotics, animal by-products
and hormones as babies to be converted to organic production. The loophole may also allow artificial or chemical
substances, including nearly 500 food contact chemicals to be used in organic processed food without approval.
Finally, these new guidelines allow non-organic ingredients to be substituted for organic without notification during
�ｿｽemergency decrees�ｿｽ. This basically opens the consumers back up to the onslaught of man-made toxins when they thought
they were buying healthier, chemical-free products. All this happened despite huge consumer, and organic producer
opposition, making this writer have to wonder whose best interest does congress have at heart?
What does it take to become certified organic?
Needless to say, becoming certified organic by the USDA is very difficult, costly and time consuming. Their guidelines
and rules can be stringent and tough. For growers this includes abstaining from the use of chemical poisons, such as
pesticides, and sewage slug 3 years prior to certification. This often means allowing fields to lie fallow for three
years, producing no revenue for the farmer. Growers may not use pesticides and other chemical poisons during the
duration of their certification. Organic growers may not use genetically altered or enhanced organisms nor may they
irradiate. They must also practice sustainable farming methods which include, soil building, crop rotation, manure
management and conservation of the land. Ranchers must provide outdoor pasture for grazers. Pasture land is required
to be free of pesticides and other poisons as well. Livestock may not be treated with unnecessary antibiotics or
hormones and must be fed only certified organic feed. Finally, growers and ranchers must avoid contamination with
toxins during collection and processing and keep meticulous records of all operations. The guidelines for
manufacturers are just as stringent in their controls. But it doesn�ｿｽt stop there. The USDA sends inspectors annually
to check records and crops. Often times they come unannounced.
So why do they do it? Why do growers choose to go through the rigors of gaining organic certification?
Firstly there is a growing community of farmers, gardeners, ranchers, producers and manufacturers that believe in
sustainable methods of producing food and other products. These people see much further into the future, preparing,
keeping, maintaining and protecting the ground for future generations as opposed to mining the ground for short term
gain. Basically they do it because they believe in it and they believe in its growth and it is growing.
So why the heck do organics cost so much more?
There are a couple of reasons for this. Firstly there will be lower crop yield due to natural processes we once
controlled with poisons. Secondly, the rules and regulations imposed by the USDA require much more time and attention
to detail costing the farmer and manufacturer. Thirdly, though growing, the industry remains small. As we all know as
the supply begins to actually balance with demand, prices go down. Meaning the more you buy, the more the farmer can
afford to produce thus lowering his prices. Just like with anything else.
It has even been mentioned that adding together all the money the country spends in health care to treat toxin related
diseases, the cost to clean up toxic spills and other related needs equals or exceeds the difference we pay for
certified organic products which protect our health and environment from ever becoming damaged in the first place.
About The Author: Find information, blogs, articles, comments and http://www.eco-organural.com certified organic products to create for yourself a healthy home and environment at Organural: Re-Discovering Nature
Please use the HTML version of this article at:
http://www.isnare.com/html.php?aid=129936
*********************** ARTICLE END ***********************
- To distribute your articles go to http://www.isnare.com/distribution.php
- For more free-reprint articles go to http://www.isnare.com
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