Every time you walk into a grocery store, you have thousands of choices. Everyone has to eat and most consumers attempt to make good decisions in the face of colorful, happy packaging touting the latest improvements in taste, quality, and content.
Unfortunately, in order to make those “improvements,” all sorts of chemical additives are included in the final product. Flavor enhancers like salt and sugar, preservatives to make them last longer in your pantry, and colorants to make them look better are a marketer’s dream and are hugely profitable for an industry that fights for consumer dollars.
In an attempt to fight the confusion and strengthen health, many of us are choosing the benefits of organic food. An important thing to remember though is that “organic” doesn’t always mean “healthy.” It’s the latest marketing ploy to attract people like you who are interested in serving better quality foods to your family. Words such as “natural” and “whole grain” are other marketing catchphrases that can muddy the waters of healthy eating.
There are organic snacks available for children filled with sugar. Even organic food benefits are lost when they contain too much of this ingredient. Sugar is unanimously considered dangerous to overall health, especially in the quantities the average population in America consumes.
Is There a Difference Between Organic Foods and Non-Organic?
As long as you read your labels, experts agree that most organic foods are healthier for us to consume. Food grown without the use of fertilizers and chemical pesticides is always better.
Organic foods also tend to contain more vitamins and minerals that are missing from commercially grown or raised fruits, vegetables, or livestock. That means they have a stronger impact on your immune system, help you sleep better, and have a more positive effect on body weight.
The Quality Low Input Food (QLIF) project is a study in the European Union researching the benefits of organic food. They raised cattle and grew fruits and vegetables on adjacent properties. One was organic, the other a traditional non-organic site. What they discovered was shocking.
- The organically produced fruits and vegetables contained 40% more antioxidants.
- They contained higher levels of vitamins and minerals such as iron and zinc.
- Organically raised cows produced milk that tested with almost 90% more antioxidants.
These findings show that eating organically can increase nutrient intake for people that don’t normally consume the recommended servings of fruits and vegetables on a daily basis. You’ll get more nutritional pop with the benefits of organic meat and produce.
As a result, European countries are considering changing their public opinion of organic foods. Currently, the majority of the population identifies “eating organic” as a lifestyle choice rather than a recommended course of action.
In America it’s Business as Usual
In the United States, instead of truly moving more firmly toward organic food benefits, large food manufacturers are slapping the “organic” label on foods that might not deserve it. It’s a multi-billion dollar industry and sales of organic foods are growing by approximately 20% every year. Consumers believe they’re buying healthy when they’re actually being ripped off.
The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) put half of their federally certified organic producers on probation for certifying foods as organic when it couldn’t be verified.
This compromises your ability to trust the labels on your food.
- Organic milk is a prime example. It is still pasteurized and has most of the same issues as regular commercially-produced milk. Unless it’s raw milk, it’s not organic.
- Potatoes are available organically and are an excellent choice. Organic potato chips, however, are still junk food. They’re made with hydrogenated cancer-causing oils and remain one of the worst foods you can eat.
- As far as cake, cookies, and ice cream – they might contain organic ingredients but they’re still loaded with sugar that makes them a poor choice for your anti-cancer diet.
Issues with Imported Organic Food
There is also a huge issue with foods imported from other countries such as China.
With other items making national news (toys testing positive for lead and contaminated dog food, for example), there is no way to safely assume that imported so-called organic foods are even safe for consumption, much less organic in the first place.
The Chinese government doesn’t allow foreign inspectors on their farms and many of the Chinese inspectors won’t report poor farming practices out of fear of retribution from their own agencies. Imported Chinese ginger being sold under a popular organic label was found to be contaminated with Aldicarb – a pesticide that causes nausea, blurred vision, and headaches. The amounts found on the contaminated goods weren’t even permissible for non-organic fresh ginger.
Can You Trust the USDA’s Labeling?
Even the USDA’s “organic” label is misleading. The National Organic Program (NOP) is responsible for overseeing foods that receive this label. Their interest lies purely in agricultural production and profits. It doesn’t take farming methods, soil quality, or environmental pollution into consideration.
The USDA recently chose to deem some chemicals and food additives as acceptable in foods carrying the “organic” or “made with organics” labels. These include pasteurization, irradiation, and modified sterilization. These techniques are believed to be the best ways to make food safe and the USDA accepts the word of food scientists as truth.
With none of the world’s largest food producers shouting for doubling and tripling organic food production, and labels providing misleading or outright false information… what’s a consumer to do? Until the USDA changes their shady business practices, diligence is key.
There are things you can look for to ensure the safety of your food. You’re going to have to look deeper than the label to ensure the following:
- The item is grown in a sustainable way and without chemical enhancements. These practices include minimal water, natural fertilizers, protected soil, and natural forms of pest control.
- The item was not produced on a factory farm.
- Absolutely no artificial additives and/or preservatives were added to the food.
- Animal products are from free-range animals not fed with grains or by-products but with native food occurring naturally in their environment. Grass-fed cows and free-range chickens scratching for their sustenance, for example
- No added hormones, antibiotics, or other drugs
- Not genetically modified (GMO) crops. The biggest culprits are soy, corn, and sugar beets. The list of GMO foods grows daily and companies are not required to tell you!
- The item is fresh. Sometimes fresh, non-organic produce can be a better choice than organic food that is wilted and not as fresh as it should be. Make sure you soak it thoroughly in a sink of cold water with a bit of vinegar to remove bacteria and surface pesticide residue.
Getting the Most Health Benefit From Organic Food
Farmers markets and CSAs (Community Supported Agriculture) are an excellent way to purchase your food. They enable you to develop a relationship with the people that grow your food. From naturally, humanely raised meats and eggs, to raw milk and fresh produce, it’s important to nurture a relationship and know the name of the person that sold it to you.
You can ask questions directly about their practices and methods. Most of these farmers are full of excellent information and advice, and may even encourage you to try growing some of your own food.
The benefits of fresh, high quality organic food for your body and health outweigh the extra effort. Choosing organic is a wonderful part of your anti-cancer lifestyle.
The one that really got me is that organic apples and pears are almost always sprayed w/ antibiotics! They outlawed one of them in 2014, but still allow the other ones. The only way to have apples is find a local farmer that does not spray and I get this company from AZ to mail them. But then products that are organic contain apple cider vinegar and that is made w/ regular organic apples that have been sprayed. So there go the simple dressings and a lot of other would be great foods, if it were not for the antibiotic cider vinegar, into the G can. It blows my mind how I keep hearing apple cider vinegar is good for you. It depends on how good antibiotics are for you. I do not think anyone would say that, if they thought about the spraying. They should not let the sprayed items be labeled organic. Oh and all the other ingredients that make their way in organic foods. Can’t trust the label any more. Certain organic brands, I will NOT even buy, caught cutting corners too many times.
It is very difficult but one thing I found out is how very easy it is to make vinegar yourself my son made some nothing to it. put dwarf apple tree in your yard make your own cider vinegar easy peasy honest.JR
—Thank you for above tips Ty fortunately in UK we do not get so many scams when it comes to ORGAN farming and labeling. PS I am enjoying your book Stepping Outside the Box – Ty M. Bollinger packed with information about various types of cancer and alternative cures it is a great history book of avents as well.
How do we, as consumers, check deeper. This is so disheartening. I try really hard to eat all organic foods and then I read this and other stories saying that the grocery chain “Whole Foods” is backing Monsano and it makes me feel like why even try. It seems that everywhere I turn there is someone trying to make a profit by scaring the crap out of everyone or by being deceptive. Where does one truly turn? What are we supposed to do to protect ourselves and our families?
I agree it is really hard to be sure of what is and what isn’t truly organic. I think that if we do what we can and eat it in faith we will be well, if we eat in fear it will not do us good even if it is organic.
A german philosopher once wrote” The most intelligent and noble day of your life, is the day you are born” Friedrich Nietzche
I forage APRICOTS (and plums, apples…) at the back side of my block-house in a 300 000 people city. Are they “organic”?
To be certified organic involves a mountain paperwork and government intervention mini Grill organically not using that of chemical fertilizers herbicide or insects size but choose not to have government in their business you need to ask him scroll it’s more important that is grown without these Patrick chemicals grow naturally then Organic certification and vegetables produce is only as good as this was grown in it can still be grown in depleted soil organically and not be healthy or as healthy is produce grown and rich soil still better then that grown with commercial or petrochemicals
Why not simply forego eating anything fro animals? We can get protein and other nutrients from plants. See Forks Over Knives DVD or book.
Grow it. Solves all your problems.
Instead of blaming and complaining, take some responsibility for yourself. I suggest you grow your own veggies. You need 3 things – soil, sun and water!!
This is very discouraging in the US…it feels like there is not much we can trust as consumers.
Ty and Team,
I am an organic inspector working in the field and at producer operations. Your article does not include any footnotes regarding the information that you site specifically regarding half of producers being put on probation. Please share the articles with us so that we continue to be informed consumers. Yes, support local growers. Yes, read labels. Packaged products with the organic label are still packaged products. Eat Fresh Real Food!
Truly,
Laura
Hi Laura,
Thanks for your comment.
Please refer to the sources and references tab underneath the article summary for more information.
I agree, all this is very discouraging, and the suggested solution of doing your own research feels impossible. Soon people will give up entirely on organic labels.
Hi Dawna,
Thanks for your feedback.
I don’t think it is possible to have a 100% organic anything anymore since the government is flying chem trail planes and contaminating everything. I work so hard to grow an organic garden right down to composting my own soil, adding organic minerals after heavy rains, and doing companion planting. The food from my garden is so much better from what I can purchase in a STORE BUT ITS STILL NOT 100% ORGANIC BECAUSE OF THE DARN CHEM TRAIL PLANES.
The main purpose of the FDA is to pass laws that protect our foods and drugs from having harmful effects on We the People. And yet, while prices keep going UP, the quality of our foods and drugs keeps going down. The amount of nutrition in today’s foods has declined to mostly 20 to 30% of what it used to be…before GREED took over the well being of its citizens. There is so much pesticide that it’s hard to even enjoy eating fruits and vegetables today. Food Corporations are adding fillers–mostly wood powder (which has zero nutrition), to increase quantity, into any packaged, canned, or bottled food they can get away with…and the gov. gives them the carte blanche to do as they please. The sad thing is that the taste and nutrition level of natural food was really wonderful before GREED took over our country…everything tasted good. If only the billionaire owners understood that, as long as they keep screwing others by the choices they make for greater profit, they can NEVER know Inner Peace and, therefore, they can never stop looking for ways in which to get MORE. Our Public Officials are equally guilty as they by accepting all kinds of “bribes and deals (especially campaign funding) from these corporations. They have forgotten that they are Public Servants to “We the People (the Taxpayers). Here’s hoping that the GREEDY will soon decide to choose to do the right thing, if experience the ongoing JOY of Inner Peace which is actually what every human unconsciously desires…more than wealth, material things, bigger houses, more cars, etc. etc. etc. Example: Is Donald Trump a happy man? Have you ever seen him smile? Maybe great wealth is not the answer, especially when obtained by lying, cheating, stealing, inheriting, not paying one’s taxes, etc. etc. etc.
You must be your own advocate our government is NOT going to make sure we are safe at all, its all about greed period. Trump lied about almost everything while campaigning he’s jumped on board with the big money makers like Big Pharma and Monsanto. Call or talk to the vendors at your local growers market, call or email the companies that supply organics in the stores you shop at, yes it takes time an effort but we’re talking about our heath and well being and I think that alone is worth the work.
It’s so frustrating! So many times I read “eat local”. I went to the local farmers market and asked them outright if their vegetables were organic, and they said no. At least they were honest. Eating and feeding your family right is so difficult.
Don’t give up looking for organic, grow as much as you can yourselves. If you want to see some amazing pictures of organic V. non-organic see the new book “The invisible power within foods “A comparisson of organic & non-organic foods by A. W. Danzer, you will be bowled over by the beauty of these photos.
Sprouting seems like an excellent choice to include in meal planning. This week I’m starting to sprout organic seeds of broccoli and expanding to sunflower, peas, watercress, etc. They contain 10 to 30% more nutrient content than their organic full grown version. Also, did you know that vegetables lose up to 30% of their nutrients within 15 of being harvested? Check-out more on youtube or at Hippocrates Health Institute. I also buy canned wild salmon and wild sardines and cheese from grass-fed cows. Stay positive, say positive affirmation, love yourself and others unconditionally –
Raw milk is not available and illegal in Canada. Every time I hear that it is the ONLY milk good for you, I feel bad. Please don’t make people feel bad…that is NOT very ‘organic’ which is the loving way to be.
In nature, milk is a food for a life form that has five times the growth rate of a human being. It is too concentrated for humans. So, why even waste your body’s energy consuming it?
The way to go is to start to grow our own food, right in our own backyards. Why are we relying on a for profit industry to eat? Researching endlessly this or that product. It will drive one mad. Whether out of sheer ignorance, capitalistic greed, conspiracy theory, or a combo of all of it, the capitalistic entities are proving that that we cannot trust them with our health. Cant trust the government obviously either. Maybe in the future we will be able to, but weve got to look after ourselves. We are not obligated legally or by necessity to enter into business with the grocers. We can grow food ourselves. Even apartment dwellers can grow food on thier balconies. Then we can be more sure of whats going in the food. Lawns are a relic from European aristrocats hundreds of years back. The lawns signified thier wealth. Someone with a lawn had enough land leftover after farming that they used the unused land for a cosmetic, ornamental lawn. We no longer have that luxury, that lawn space can be used for food. Homeowner associations ordinances and the like….Really? Has the US fallen into such a poor state whereit will be illegal to grow your own food on your own land? We can start taking it back.
My assoc. will allow A garden. But it is not to be visible from the street. We are not allowed any fencing period. After watching a neighborhood boy squash my lettuce as he was walking between properties, I approached him with what he had done!
Typical reply ” I didn’t know”
So glad that we bought a property away from that city.
I have grass fed beef, free range laying hens, bee hives, veggie plots, fruit trees and the supreme unallowable CLOTHESLINE pole!
A 3 string model.
Organic milk is still organic when pasteurised. Pasteurisation doesn’t change the fact that it was produced by organic farming, it simply changes the nutrients in the milk. A processed product can also be organic if it contains only organic ingredients i.e a cake could be made of 100% organic ingredients but be unhealthy because it contains white flour and sugar. Its important to differentiate between processed foods being unhealthy and saying that something is no longer organic because its been processed.
Organic or not if a dairy product is pasteurised, it is complete deadwood. Absolutely of no nutritional value.
Only wholesome foods should be organic. White flower is not wholesome, therefore it can’t be organic. Only whole wheat can be organic if grown in clean soil with natural fertilizers, non GMO, no herbicides and no pesticides used during growth.
Hasim and WIlliam, that is still not the meaning of “organic” in agricultural terms, which Lorraine is right in saying that the author was misleading about this as well. Whether pasteurized or not, and whether still causing some of many of the same problems as conventional milk, “organic” does have a legal definition, and it refers to the cattle eating only organic feed, not being given preventative antibiotics, etc. Whether or not you feel that these standards make the milk any more “wholesome,” or whether you agree with pasteurization, is not relevant to whether an item is organic per set standards. That’s why there are different words for “organic” and “wholesome” – they mean different things – and like Lorraine said, an item can be “unwholesome” because of fat, sugar, etc., even though it was grown in organic methods. The author is misleading in claiming that organic milk is “not organic” just because it has been pasteurized and still has some of the problems of conventional milk, when that is not a legal or relevant requirement of being labeled as “organic.”
Hasim, you are completely missing the point. If the wheat was grown organically it is still organic even if it then processed to become white flour. The processing of a food doesn’t change the fact that it was produced by organic farming methods.
I grow a lot of my veggies. I raise grass fed beef. I am a bee keeper. I cannot grow my own wheat or mango’s or coconut etc. I enjoy oatmeal.
In other words, I am forced to purchase numerous food stuffs.
Am I doomed?
I bought this
Expeller Pressed canola oil at the Raisin Rack. The name of the company is “field day”. Is this ok to use? Now you got me worried.
Vivian:
Canola oil (no matter whether it’s organic or not) is not healthy … it’s a GMO product. Please do your research 🙂
Canola oil is Rape Seed. Mostly grown in Can. That’s where the ‘Can..’ comes from in Canola. It is so toxic that it has no natural enemies. It would be better used as an insecticide.
I don’t have time to read all the comments so this may be redundant. I recently learned that stores can sell beef labeled as ‘grass fed” if at any point during the cow’s life it ate grass. I was told a cow fed it’s 1st year on grass then it’s remaining years on grain and still be labeled grass fed. If this is true, how can we insure we are buying true grass fed beef? Not all of us are in a position to buy directly from an organic ranch or farm.
Thank you.
Enjoyed this article from you. All of us out here appreciate everything you do.
I believe it has to say %100 grass fed to be all grass fed..at least that is what the butchers at whole foods say.
I totally agree with girl flush…..? Take control of your on food by growing your own…
Don’t even go there. Throughout his first term alone, Obama presided over the passage of several Monsanto-friendly legislative initiatives and appointed numerous people associated with Monsanto to high-level positions.
Thank you Ty for all the information you have been sharing with us. We try to eat as clean as we possibly can, but it is not easy. Our health food store is so overpriced and the produce is never fresh. It’s full of food no one should eat. I am sure I’ve even seen margarine in the store!! I raise sheep on our property and sell lambs raised as naturally as possible. Its not cheap to raise organically. Nobody in our neck of woods appreciates this fact and wants to pay the price. People are used to supermarket sale pricing and couldn’t care less they are eating crap. People need to be more educated about the real cost of food and accept the fact, that unless you grow your own, it costs more than the store bought junk.
I think people looking to grow their own should look at organic straw bale gardening.
Do you have any sources confirming that organic apples are sprayed with antibiotics at such a high rate? Thank you.
I purchase ORGANIC Canola Oil distributed by Spectrum. It has the USDA organic label on the bottle.
Michelle,
Do you need any help..It sounds like you have an amazing place.
I live on a Canary Island where growing your own food in front of or at my home is very difficult as it is ver very hot hot hot and sun sun..More things have died even though I tried to plant.
I fortunately do have a strong faith which keeps me going and knowing that our Creator will put things right very soon.
So mankind can return to how we were created to live.
And No resident will say I am sick That is a promise
Thankfully not long to wait.
You said it Ali! The only permanent solution. It’s so great to know the truth. Greetings from Down Under to Canary Islands. 😉
yea…too bad Obama cant have a third term cause we all know he NEVER lied….give me a break…Trumps been in office 3 weeks..go to a we hate Trump site and lets keep this one about cancer prevention, not political views
the butchers at my whole foods have told me that NONE of the grass fed beef in the store is 100% grass fed! They are all grain finished at best. I find this to really suck! labels mean nothing anymore
Great information the plants are the key eating get away from processed foods live long and happier thanks again
It’s absolutely our pleasure, Steve!
Thank you so much for your lovely comment. 🙂