Talking About Green

To begin, lets start with a simple definition.  The term “organic” is defined as a food or product that complies with specific, detailed standards set by international organizations on items that are grown without the use of artificial fertilizers, synthetic pesticides, or other chemical preservatives. Indeed, many of the preservatives that are being added to our foods are packed with fats, carbohydrates and other hidden items that are not good for our overall health, and those who opt for organic products are making the conscious decision that they do not want these types of chemicals in their body.

The organic industry is consistently growing and gaining in popularity as more and more people are becoming conscious not only of their environment, but also of the things they choose to consume. There are ways to tell whether or not a specific product is organic. First, you can simply shop at a store that specializes in these types of products. Usually you can find a variety of items ranging from food, clothing, beauty products and even accessories in these types of stores. Of course, there are many scammers out there, so please make sure you go to a store that is trusted, and even then you should still ask questions and read labels to ensure the products you are buying are indeed organic.

Before you make a purchase, read the packaging!  It should clearly state the organic ingredients (if you’re buying foods) and should also have the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) label or seal.  If you are serahcing for 100 percent organic foods, you must read the USDA label carefully because some organizations also labels products organic so long as they are at least 95 percent organic, which would still include some pesticide spraying.

Many individuals purchase products with the term ‘Natural’ on the package. This does not mean the food is organic, so avoid this trick and do not purchase these products! The term ‘natural’ is used on many USDA products to indicate that the product does not contain preservatives. However, it may contain many other dangerous toxins. Always keep in mind, ‘natural’ does not mean ‘organic’!

One of the best ways of ensuring that you’re buying organic products, especially foods such as fruits and vegetables, is to shop at the local market. Local farmers usually do not have the money or other resources needed to import foods, so they generally grow and harvest foods themselves. By shopping at a local market you are usually ensured that the food you are buying is organic and has not been imported. However, if you are still unsure, it never hurts to ask. When shopping in large grocery stores, on the other hand, ask a clerk to show you the organic section. There may be a mixture of natural and organic foods so the clerk should also be helpful in differentiating between the products.

Another important tip, especially regarding packaged products, is to read the ingredients and look for warning signs.  A good warning sign would be to look for ingredients that have long and complicated chemical names and also dyes that have a number and color combination. If the ingredients on a food label are hard to read, you can be almost completely assured the food is not organic!

Overall, these are some good tips to find organic products, but there is really no guarantee that they are 100 percent organic.  The only true way to ever know? Grow it yourself.

About the Author:

Jessica Blyth works for an Atlanta Tree Service, and is a noted author and speaker on environmentalism, nature, trees, and organic products.