Organic Food Production

In order for a food to be labeled 'organic', it must adhere to stringent guidelines. Organic foods must contain limited amounts of synthetic pesticides and fertilizers, must not be grown in contaminated soil for three years, not use any human sewage sludge as fertilizer, not have any genetically modified organisms, promote soil building, conservation, manure management, rotate crops, avoid contamination, not use any hormones or antibiotics on animals, and keep meticulous records (http://www.ams.usda.gov/nnop/ indexIE.htm).

I think it was a good thing that our government legally defined what it means for food to be organic. Organic is a powerful word in today's market. If price is not involved, most people would probably pick the organic product over the conventional one. The word 'organic' means to the consumer that the product is produced under stringent guidelines that have the end result of producing a more natural, potentially healthier product that contains limited amounts of man-made products. If the government did not set these guidelines into place, then the word 'organic' would have no meaning. Any corporation could slap an organic label on its product, fooling the customer. This would not be right, the customer would be paying more for a product that is inferior to its labeling (http://www.ams.usda.gov/nop/Consumers/brochure.html).

There is no evidence yet that affirms that organic foods are better for humans than traditionally produced foods. But genetically modified foods have not really been on the market long enough to complete any substantial tests. Organic farming practices are better for the environment, howbeit. Organic farming techniques focus on sustainability, while conventional farming techniques focus on productivity. Organic farms practice things that support nature, like soil building to prevent erosion and crop rotation to mimic nature's diversity. By dumping synthetic fertilizers into water sources and exuding hormones and antibiotics out into the biosphere, conventional farms are hazardous to the environment (Kuepper, 2004).

I think businesses like Whole Foods are doing a good thing. Unlike many food suppliers, Whole Foods is trying to promote well-being through natural and organic foods. They leave out the artificial additives, sweeteners, colorings, and preservatives. This could mean they are also leaving out carcinogens. By providing a healthy choice and supporting local farmers, I think businesses like Whole Foods are doing a good thing, especially for obese nations like America (http://www.wholefoodsmarket.com/products/index.html).