Organic Foods - Are They More Nutritious?
Organic farming means raising food
plants and animals without using any chemical products, synthetic
pesticides, antibiotics and hormones while supporting sustainable
methods like crop rotation. Did you know that cropland has to be
chemical-free for at least 3 years before being used for organic
foodstuffs? It takes that long to rid the fields of all
contaminants (chemical products and residue).
Organic farming also prohibits irradiation (used to destroy insects, bacteria and some parasites) and all genetic engineering (GMO). Organic food production is a regulated system requiring each farmer, processor and distributor to keep detailed records of their operations (e.g. products used, sales, ploughing date, origin of purchased seeds, etc.).
Since February 1st, 2000, the term "organic" is reserved for specific products in Quebec. Use of the terms "organic", "ecological", "pure food", "biodynamic" and their derivatives (e.g. eco, bio) is governed by strict regulations regarding product certification, packaging and labelling. Unfortunately, Canada has no legal framework covering "organic" food production, but only voluntary standards that are not legally binding.
The Conseil d'accréditation du Québec (Quebec Board of Accreditation) recognizes the certification programs of six organizations. Look for these logos and get true organic products. Be wary of so-called organic products that don't display any of these logos!
A number of studies have found that the main motives for buying organic products are, in order of importance, dietary health and safety, protection of the environment, and the taste of various products.
- Dietary health and safety
- Absence of pesticides and fertilizers (protection of the environment)
- The taste
American nutritionist Virginia Worthington reviewed the results of 41 studies to find out if the nutrient content of organic foods differed from that of conventional foods. She discovered that organic vegetables were significantly richer in vitamin C, iron, magnesium and phosphorus. They also contained less protein, but better quality protein. Based on these results, organic foods cannot be declared more nutritious than regular foods. Available existing data also does not prove the nutritional superiority of organic foods. The real key to eating healthy is to eat more fruits and vegetables, whether organic or regular doesn't matter! Over 4500 studies have shown that fruits and vegetables are the best cancer-fighting foods because they are rich in antioxidants.
- At least 95% of a processed product's ingredients must be certified organic for the product to be called organic.
- According to a Léger & Marketing study on genetically modified organisms in May 2000, more than 3 out of 5 people stated that they would be willing to pay more for an organic product.
- Organic produce certainly contains less pesticide residue, but it isn't necessarily free of all residue. Crops can be contaminated by airborne pesticides, water or some extremely resistant products in the ground.
- Pesticide amounts in conventional produce are below the standard allowances. Residual pesticide content in produce dropped in Quebec from 9% to 0.3% in under 7 years.
- Rice Dream (Rice beverage)
- Belsoy (pudding)
- Soyummi (dessert)
- Bioltalia (pasta)
- Liberté (yaourt)