Introduction:
Until the 20th century, agriculture was mainly organic. The industrialization of agriculture also known as the Green Revolution led to the rise of organic farming in the 1940s. The term ‘organic’ is used to refer to the manner in which agricultural products are grown and processed and differs from the scientific description of carbon-containing molecules. Organic food has become very popular in many parts of the world since it is believed that the manner in which foods are produced can influence both our health and the environment.
Organic foods are those foods produced and processed without the use of chemical fertilizers, synthetic pesticides, genetically modified organisms (GMOs), chemical ripening, irradiation, industrial solvents, or chemical food additives. In certain countries, the use of nanotechnology is also prohibited in organic food production. For products to be labelled and sold as ‘organic’, certain specific standards are to be maintained as set by the country where they are marketed.
Advantages
Certain studies have shown that organic foods contain high levels of antioxidants, vitamin C and trace minerals whereas others have found no nutritional differences between organic and non-organic foods. Organic food tastes fresher and better because it does not contain preservatives. Persons allergic to particular types of foods find relief when they eat organic foods. Some people buy organic food because organic farming is beneficial to the environment since it reduces pollution, conserves water as well as soil quality and contains negligible pesticide residues.
Pesticide residues in food mainly affect foetuses and children because they have less-developed immune systems. Moreover, their bodies and brains are still developing and early exposure can cause developmental delays as well as behavioural disorders. Pregnant women are also vulnerable to the effect of pesticides which can also be passed from mother to child in the womb and through breast milk. Many people have an accumulation of pesticide residue in their bodies due to several years of exposure that could impair health by causing headaches, birth defects, and further affect weak immune systems.
Disadvantages
Organic food is often very expensive because it is more labour intensive, organic farms are usually too small to receive government subsidies and fixed as well as running costs are high and obtaining as well as maintaining organic certification is also very expensive. Organic fruits and vegetables may spoil faster because they are not treated with waxes or preservatives. Some organic products may not look appealing to the buyer because of their odd shapes, colours or smaller sizes.
Now we know all about what are organic foods, right?