Organic Food †Is It Worth Its Price? Essay

total land began in the late 1940s in the fall in States, and in recent years it has seen a dramatic amplify in popularity (Rubin 1). The sales of constitutional aliment grow been increasing by slightly 20 percentage a year everywhere the one and only(a)time(prenominal) decade (Marcus 1). That is over ten times the rate of their pompous counterparts (Harris 1). in that respect be 10 million consumers of primitive intellectual nourishment in the United States, yet constitutional fertilizer fertiliser food represents only one percent of the demesnes food supply.This year ingrained food sales atomic number 18 expected to rise to six billion dollars (Rubin 1). So what is organic food? Organic food is that which argon grown without hormones, pesticides, or artificial fertilizers. Also, the dirty in which organic food are grown must be clean for three years (Howe 4). Nearly 70 percent of the Ameri tush public believes that the organic label on food products means they are safer to eat and better for the environment according to a survey by the National Center for Public Policy (Cummins 1).Organic farming does dedicate its advantages it conserves water and earth resources, recycles animal violent, releases fewer chemics, improves soil fertility, promotes miscellany of crops, and protects farm workers, livestock, and wildlife from potentially harmful pesticides (Rubin 4). But is organic food safer than unoriginal foods? Not only toilet organic food be pollute with bacteria and pesticides, just now also they are much(prenominal)(prenominal) expensive than constituted foods, yet do not offer a better nutritionary value or significantly better discretion.Sir John Krebs, a zoologist appointed to head the Food Standards internal representation in the United country said that people who bought organic food considering it was safer or more nutritious were wasting their money (Jones 1). Critics of organic farming claim that it is da ngerous, environmentally damaging and, above all, incapable of feeding an overpopulated world because crop yields are haplesser than in stately agriculture (Jones 2). If you are looking for wellness benefits from organic food, save your money. Organic food is not necessarily 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 regular foods, moreover that is just a risk that nearly consumers are involuntary to take. alphabets 20-20 reported 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 illness and purge 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 whitethorn contain dangerous bacteria (Tierney 1). Although the manure is composted to kill the bacteria, uncertified farmers may not always follow the proper procedure. Dean Cliver, a professor of food safety at the University of California at Davis, states We contend that animals are shedding bacteria that can lick people down in the mouth 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 assuage, but this is not true. Organic farmers can use vivid pesticides such 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(a) farms to organic farms and contaminate the organic f ood being grown there (Rubin 2).Eighty-nine to ninety percent of all pesticides drift from their point of application, which increases the risk of nearby areas being candid (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 savoring of organic food and conventional foods. Some organic food taste very different as compared to conventional foods, like organic draw (White). Sue Gebo, author of Whats Left to Eat? explains studies do not show a significant taste difference between organic and conventional crops (Rubin 3). U. S. News held a blind taste test to put if organic food tasted better than conventional foods. Winter tomatoes, both organic and conventional, were equally tasteless. Conventional carrots and blueberry yogurt tasted better than their organic counterparts, but organic orange succus tasted better than conventional oran ge juice (Marcus 3). Agricultural Secretary Dan Glickman states that organic food is no more alimentary 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 likely to make a person sick either (Marcus 2). The higher grocery impairment only buys a person peace of mind, not better nutrition. The damage of organic food can be 20 percent to 50 percent more than conventional foods due to limited supply, special handling, and infallible 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 will be banned also, as will 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 disadvantages. One disadvantage is a short shelf life. Cereals, breads, nuts, seeds, and oils should be refrigerated. Also, meats cured without nitrates and nitrites should be frozen (Rubin 2).Organic farming also yields fewer crops because insects, weeds, and fungi often damage 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 stop 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, reduces 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. Hard show of this is scarce (Marcus 1). Pesticides are only dangerous if they are present in toxic amounts. Our food supply is safe because the Environmental Protection Agency controls the levels of pesticides used (Rubin 2). A panel of the National Research Council concluded in 1996 that tiny levels of chemicals in the food supply are unlikely to bilk an appreciable cancer risk (Tierney 2).A similar report released in the same year by the National Academy of Sciences stated 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 still concern some consumers, so here are some ways to reduce picture show 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, an d citrus fruits) reduces exposure to pesticides because the skins are challenginger to permeate. Before eating fruits and vegetables, they should be scrubbed using a hard produce brush and washed under cold water. Cooking 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 immanent it is better than conventional products.E. coli and other microorganisms are natural too. Organic food is not any safer than conventional foods. They still 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, then 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 not, and people should not have to pay twice as much for peace of mind.