Organic food?

Chefnot · 05-25-2008, 07:29 AM

Organic Food Myths Debunked

Ronald Bailey | May 1, 2008, 10:24am
I am not against organic foods per se. In fact, I buy organic foods at our local farmer's market all the time--usually because I think they taste better, especially the heirloom tomatoes. That being said, I am strongly against over-hyped sustainability and nutritional claims for organic foods.

Reason Magazine - Hit & Run > Organic Food Myths Debunked

Lucy · 05-25-2008, 12:47 PM

I'll probably get flogged for this, but I think that the organic craze has gotten out of hand. I think organic produce, meat and dairy is great and when I can afford it, I buy it. Hormones,additives and pesticides can't be good for us. My city has a farmer's market on Saturday, and almost everything you get there is organic. They have fantastic produce. The fruit is always sweet and juicy. Is it because it's organic or because it's local (well, almost local. Most is from Plant City, which is about an hour and a half away)? I don't really know. I just know that in some cases, it's cheaper or as cheap and taste better.

However, when I walk around the grocery store and I see things like organic potato chips, I roll my eyes. That is bordering on ridiculous as far as I'm concerned. No matter what you call it or how you roll it, chips are not healthy. I've also heard other people say things like, "but it's organic!" while eating organic oreos, and candy bars. I just can't buy into the hype that it is any better for you just because it is made with organic ingredients.

bakerman · 05-25-2008, 01:44 PM

Having cut out hydrogenated fats, and high fructose corn syrup, having more organic choices makes shopping easier, my store is introducing lots more store brand organics, so it is becoming more affordable. I also buy organic milk because I think it tastes better.

But I agree, people think that eating "organic" equals healthy. Many people have no idea what healthy is, on chowhound there was a comment from a poster saying that Whole Foods was hypocritical because they didn't carry diet coke, it took many posts to explain to the original poster that Whole Foods was not a "Diet" or "weight loss" store, but one that sold foods that were often organic, or minimally processed, among other things. Yes people are really this clueless.

MAC

Food Network Fan · 05-25-2008, 01:59 PM

I sometimes wonder if they really are organic, I mean how would you know? And shouldn't they actually cost less if they don't have the stuff they pay to use on all the other veggies? I think the only way you can be sure they are organic is grow them yourself. I don't know if they have a inspection process for that like FDA or USDA, but if they don't how would the regulate it enough that anyone could slap that label on anything?

ibcheft · 05-25-2008, 02:26 PM

why would they do any more inspecting for the organic, than they do for the regular. It probably isn't any more organic than the non organic, and just what is this word organic mean grown without pesticides? does that mean that when is was grown they did not spray the plant, because you know at one time or another the ground it is grown in was probably sprayed to kill the weeds off. Unless you could find a piece of ground that had not been touch for many many years, and then the only fertiliser used came from animals grown directly and feed directly from that piece of ground, should be able to be called organic, and I think we would find that the organic would be gone. just my opinion

Food Network Fan · 05-25-2008, 02:35 PM

I think a lot of the organics are grown in the food tents with soil trays like they use for winter time growing. But again, how would you know that for sure?

BerryBaby · 05-25-2008, 03:43 PM

It's just like buying Premium gas...is it really different than the regular? We just have to take their word for it.

Chefnot · 05-26-2008, 08:00 AM

The laws are vauge concerning organic, they having been fighting over it for years, even between themselves.

But it all really comes to price. A telephone survey might reveal that 80% of those surveyed wants larger or no cages for chickens. But yet in reality, the eggs from those those birds constitute only 5% of the market.