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Food Sense – Organic farming and Organic food
Food Sense – Organic farming and Organic food
By Benjamin Ugoji
Introduction
Definitions – Organic farming and Organic food
Why organic foods – benefits
Health implications – Is organic food healthier?
Useful web addresses – for organic foods
Conclusion
Introduction
There has been a lot of information in the media and different organisations concerning the benefits we derive from the food we eat based on their source, treatment during production or processing or final form at the point of sale. This has resulted in our food classified as organic, inorganic, and genetically modified or Frankenstein foods as the case may be.
The debate is on and sometimes it appears there is no fine structure I terms of differentiation in terms of these food types. However, government regulations as regards to labelling has made it possible to enable us make informed decision on the choices that we make when we buy foods in supermarkets. The choice we make between organic and inorganic foods will depend on the power of our pocket. The result is that we can compromise on the choice we make based on the amount we are willing to pay for organic food.
This article seeks to describe the farming practice that results in organic food production. It will explore the benefits of organic food and provide some answers as to whether organic food is healthier. The hope is that it will enable the consumers’ to make more informed food choices.
Definition of terms – organic farming and organic food
It is important is define some of the terms involved in this topic to make sense of the origin of organic foods.
The Wikipedia defined organic farming as follows:
Organic farming is a form of agriculture that relies on crop rotation, green manure, compost, biological pest control, and mechanical cultivation to maintain soil productivity and control pests, excluding or strictly limiting the use of synthetic fertilizers and synthetic pesticides, plant growth regulators, livestock feed additives, and genetically modified organisms.[1]
From the foregoing, it is clear that organic farming relies completely on the natural means known to man to cultivate the soil as well as preserve the agricultural produce during cultivation in terms of yield and pest control.
The organic foods are therefore, foods produced from organic farming practice.
Why organic foods – benefits
We receive information about taking care of the food we eat as to maintain healthy life style through different medium. You will ask what is in it for me! After all food is food. However, wait; are there any benefits from eating organic foods? Yes. In the website by Ysanne Spevack, the Editor Organic foodie.com, she advanced 10 reasons (and more) in support of organic foods and its associated agricultural practice – organic farming. You can read the article on (http://www.organicfoodee.com/topten/).
Health implications – Is organic food healthier?
You are what you eat is a popular axiom. Will the type of agricultural practice affect what is produced and does the source of the food we eat determine the nutritional content and may be its effect on our health? This debate is ongoing between the consumers, the different organisations representing the consumers on one hand and the food industry, farming organisation and government regulatory agencies on the other hand.
The answer to this question is relative and depends on who is involved. However, a recent study seems to suggest that Organic food is healthier. You can read the whole article by Ian Sample at (http://www.guardian.co.uk/science/2007/oct/29/organics.sciencenews).
Useful web addresses – for organic foods
http://www.organicfoodee.com/shopping/
http://www.infolondon.ukf.net/organic/
http://www.nhs.uk/change4life/Pages/Default.aspx
Conclusion
Your nutrition is the sum of all you eat or drink. The source of these ingredients that make up your nutritional intake could have an impact on you well being. Therefore, the farming practice and nature of the produce could be vital to maintaining good health. The choice is yours
Copyright Benjamin Ugoji, 2009
