Definition of Organic Food

A definition of organic food includes the production and certification process. Organic food health benefits are the reason organics are found on healthy food menus, in organic food gift baskets, at markets and grocery stores, and that a growing number of foods are being produced organically.

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 organic food definition 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.

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.

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.

Restaurants with healthy food menus often include organic meats, dairy, fruit, vegetables and grains. 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. And you can buy organic foods at farmers markets, grocery stores, online organic shopping websites - you can even have your organic food delivered (and/or send organic food gift baskets to friends and family). Organic food is much more accessible in today's marketplace.

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 that certifies them.

Products are labelled with the certifiers logo and code to confirm certification for the consumer. Understand the definition of organic food and make sure that you look for the certification labeling.

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.

Organic food information demonstrates that genetic engineering, irradiation, and other questionable practices are prohibited in organic farming. During processing, additives, preservatives, and other unnatural substances are also not permitted.

Environmental health risk for livestock that is raised for organic production is minimized; they 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, people that are committed to a healthy lifestyle and a healthy environment, accept and support a commond definition of organic food: products grown naturally (without chemicals, preservatives, additives and more) and that benefits us, the planet and all living things on it.

Additional Reading:

• Is Organic Food Better?

• Benefits of Organic Food: A Healthy Food Choice.

• Benefits of Eating Organic Foods.

• Benefits of Organic Foods: Organic Food Health Benefits.

• Advantages of Organic Food.

• Why Eat Organic Food?

• Organic Food Advantages.

• SOLE Food: Sustainable, Organic, Local and Ethical Food.

• What is Organic Food?

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