Definition of Organic Food

The organic food market has grown in leaps and bounds over the past few years. To protect consumers, producers, and to avoid confusion, a legal definition of organic food has been accepted in most countries.

Laws to uphold and enforce the standards required to meet that definition have been put in place.

Organic foods are defined as those that are produced without the use of chemicals, including pesticides and fertilizers commonly used in cultivation and drugs, such as antibiotics and hormones given to commercial livestock.

Further, foods are held to be organic when the methods of production encourage environmental health and avoid environmentally damaging and destructive actions.

What is Organic Food: A History Of Organic Food

Before there was a globally accepted definition of organic food, small farms around the world were using natural, organic farming methods to grow the best crops and to protect their most valuable resource, the land they use for cultivation. Many locally owned stores and farmers’ markets have always provided a wonderful selection of fresh organic produce.

By 1990, the demand for organic food was growing rapidly and soon became too great for these small suppliers to meet. As larger farms began to produce foods considered organic and the overall number of organic farms steadily increased, a need for uniform standards arose.

Today, most countries have a certification procedure for organic foods to ensure that those standards are met.

What Foods are Organic?

About a decade ago, organic food was limited to fruits and vegetables. Today it’s possible to enjoy a completely organic diet without missing your favourite foods.

Organic pasta and cereals are quite common. Meats and dairy products, including milk and eggs, are produced organically as well. You can even find frozen and canned organic foods, organic ice cream, cookies and cakes, and organic beer.

Definition of 'Certified Organic'

Certification for organic food producers has been made available in a number of countries and is required before a product can be marketed as organic.

Foods that are certified organic have been grown, handled, and produced according to the guidelines in place and the farm has satisfied all the requirements set by the particular country they are certified through.

Products are labelled with the certifiers logo and code to confirm certification for the consumer.

Defining Organic Farming and Production

Both arable crops and livestock must meet stringent guidelines to be considered organic. Organic production is an intricate system that strives to maintain balance within nature by preventive practices that protect the environment and minimize the negative impact farming can have on natural resources.

Organic crops typically begin with organic seeds and are cultivated without the use of synthetic chemical inputs.

Genetic engineering, irradiation, and other questionable practices are prohibited in organic farming. During processing, additives, preservatives, and other unnatural substances are also not permitted.

Livestock raised for organic production live stress-free lives in open spaces. Preventive care keeps these animals healthy, rather than routine use of antibiotics, while organic feed ensures that there are no dangers of synthetic chemical residues.

Organic farming and production have seen many changes in recent years, not to mention exponential growth. Organizations have been created in several countries around the world to regulate and oversee these processes, so that shoppers can buy organic food with confidence.

While the regulations, standards, and certifications associated with organic foods may be new, the enthusiast's definition of organic food remains the same - a product grown naturally and that benefits us, the planet and all living things on it.

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