Organic Food †Is It Worth Its Price? Essay

Organic floriculture began in the late 1940s in the united States, and in recent years it has seen a salient increase in popularity (Rubin 1). The sales of perfect aliment nurture been change magnitude by about 20 portionage a year over the past decade (Marcus 1). That is over ten times the rate of their stodgy counterparts (Harris 1). There argon 10 million consumers of innate diet in the United States, yet radical feed re interprets entirely one pct of the nations food supply.This year original food sales atomic number 18 expected to rise to six billion dollars (Rubin 1). So what is thoroughgoing food? Organic food is that which be grown without hormones, pesticides, or semisynthetic fertilisers. Also, the deformity in which total food are grown essential be clean for three years (Howe 4). Nearly 70 percent of the American public believes that the organic label on food products authority they are safer to eat and divulge for the environment according t o a keep up by the National Center for Public Policy (Cummins 1).Organic farming does have its advantages it conserves water and soil resources, recycles beast waste, releases fewer chemicals, improves soil fertility, promotes diversity of restricts, and protects farm workers, livestock, and wildlife from potentially harmful pesticides (Rubin 4). But is organic food safer than ceremonious foods? Not only can organic food be bemired with bacteria and pesticides, scarcely excessively they are to a greater extent big-ticket(prenominal) than pompous foods, yet do not offer a wagerer nutritional value or significantly better taste.Sir John Krebs, a zoologist appointed to head the Food Standards Agency in the United Kingdom said that state who bought organic food thinking it was safer or more wholesome were wasting their money (Jones 1). Critics of organic farming train that it is dangerous, environmentally damaging and, above all, incapable of feeding an overpopulated world beca lend oneself crop yields are lower than in conventional agriculture (Jones 2). If you are facial expression for health benefits from organic food, save your money. Organic food is not of necessity safer than conventional foods.Eileen White, owner of a health food store that sells organic products, says, I cant guarantee that organic food is safer than fixture foods, but that is erect a risk that some consumers are ordain to take. ABCs 20-20 fibed finding higher concentrations of bacteria on organic produce than on conventional produce (Tierney 1). Organic food can be contaminated with salmonella, Listeria, or E. coli. These microorganisms can cause unhealthiness and even death (Rubin 2). Also, since organic food is grown with manure, there is a greater risk of bacterial contamination.Animal waste is used as a fertilizer instead of synthetic chemicals on organic food, and this animal waste may contain dangerous bacteria (Tierney 1). Although the manure is composted to f ine-tune the bacteria, uncertified farmers may not always follow the proper procedure. doyen Cliver, a professor of food resort at the University of California at Davis, states We know that animals are shedding bacteria that can make good deal sick if the manure hasnt been treated properly. Personally, if I knew something was grown with conventional chemical fertilizers, I would feel extra safe.But we dont have any data to show that organic food is more or less safe (Tierney 2). Many consumers buy organic food because they think that they are pesticide free, but this is not true. Organic farmers can use natural pesticides such(prenominal) as sulfur, copper, nicotine, and plant extracts (Rubin 2). Synthetic pesticides can also be found on organic food. Synthetic pesticides can be carried by wind, ground water, rain, or soil from other farms to organic farms and contaminate the organic food macrocosm grown there (Rubin 2).Eighty-nine to ninety percent of all pesticides drift from t heir point of application, which increases the risk of nearby areas being exposed (Howe 2). Also, synthetic pesticides used before may not have disappeared from the soil and therefore can contaminate organic crops (Rubin 2). Many people do not notice a significant difference in the taste of organic food and conventional foods. Some organic food taste very different as compared to conventional foods, like organic milk (White). Sue Gebo, author of Whats Left to Eat? explains studies do not show a significant taste difference betwixt organic and conventional crops (Rubin 3). U. S. News held a blind taste seek to determine if organic food tasted better than conventional foods. Winter tomatoes, two organic and conventional, were equally tasteless. Conventional carrots and blueberry yogurt tasted better than their organic counterparts, but organic orangish juice tasted better than conventional orange juice (Marcus 3). Agricultural Secretary Dan Glickman states that organic food is no more wholesome or nutritious than conventional foods (Marcus 1).Although organic food is almost completely free from synthetic chemicals found in synthetic foods, they are no richer in vitamins, antioxidants, and other nutrients. They are not less possible to make a person sick either (Marcus 2). The higher securities industry price only buys a person peace of mind, not better nutrition. The cost of organic food can be 20 percent to 50 percent more than conventional foods due to limited supply, particular(a) handling, and required certification (Rubin 1). All organic food must be produced without synthetic pesticides and genetic engineering.The use of sewage sludge as fertilizer and irradiating food to preserve it pass on be banned also, as impart hormones and antibiotics in organic meat and dairy products (Marcus 1). Not using these technologies makes organic farming more labor intensive, therefore making organic food more expensive. Organic food also has other prejudices. O ne disadvantage is a short shelf life. Cereals, breads, nuts, seeds, and oils should be refrigerated. Also, meats cured without nit rank and nitrites should be glacial (Rubin 2).Organic farming also yields fewer crops because insects, weeds, and fungi often pervert a larger portion of organic crops than conventionally grown crops (Howe 5). Finally, only about half of the states regulate organic food and little exists to comprise organic farmers from labeling any food they wish as organic (Howe 4). Recently, the safety of conventional foods has been questioned. The use of pesticides supplies higher crop yields, curves the cost and labor of farming, and produces relatively unblemished, visually appealing produce (Howe 3).However, some scientists think that pesticide residues in conventional foods could, over many years, raise the risk of cancer and other illnesses. unverbalised evidence of this is scarce (Marcus 1). Pesticides are only dangerous if they are present in toxic amou nts. Our food supply is safe because the Environmental rampart Agency controls the levels of pesticides used (Rubin 2). A panel of the National Research Council cerebrate in 1996 that tiny levels of chemicals in the food supply are unbelievable to pose an appreciable cancer risk (Tierney 2).A similar report released in the same year by the National Academy of Sciences verbalise that pesticides pose little risk to humans because they are consumed at such low levels (Rubin 2). The health benefits of eating fruits and vegetables such as lower rates of cancer, stroke, and other diseases far outweigh any potential risks. Still, the thought of pesticides on fruits and vegetables may be quiet concern some consumers, so here are some ways to reduce picture to pesticides. One should choose foods that are free of dirt, cuts, insect holes, decay, and mold.Also, selecting produce that has thick skins, husks, or hulls (like bananas, melons, and citrus fruits) reduces exposure to pesticides because the skins are harder to permeate. Before eating fruits and vegetables, they should be scrubbed using a hard produce brush and washed under cold water. prep or baking foods will also reduce pesticide residues, as will canning, freezing, or drying foods. Finally, one should eat a varied diet to reduce exposure to any single pesticide (Rubin 3). It is foolish for one to believe that just because a product is natural it is better than conventional products.E. coli and other microorganisms are natural too. Organic food is not any safer than conventional foods. They thus far can contain bacteria and pesticides, and are no more nutritious or delicious than conventional foods. Yet people are still willing to spend nearly twice as much on organic food. If one wants to buy foods that are more environmentally friendly, therefore organic food would be a good choice but if one is looking for immediate health benefits, save your money. An apple is an apple, whether it is organic or no t, and people should not have to pay twice as much for peace of mind.