 |
by Regina Perna
 The demand for organically grown food is soaring. According to
the U.S. Department of Agriculture (U.S.D.A.) organic sales increased
22 percent in 2006. As conscientious consumers we want this trend
to continue. The way to make that happen? Check market labels and
ask your grocer for those you are unable to find. An organic label
tells us that food is grown on farms that are free of pesticides,
synthetic fertilizers and chemicals. Furthermore, organic food
must meet certain government standards for safeguarding the environment
and animals. Organic labeling, however, is far from perfect. Though
regulated by the U.S.D.A., the organic logo may contain 100% organically
produced ingredients but government standards also permit the use
of that same logo for food that is 95% organically grown and consists
of 5% non-organic ingredients.
Organic milk will carry the USDA organic label. U.S.D.A. Organic
milk is hormone and antibiotic free, though be aware that some
large producers such as Horizon Organic and Aurora Organic Dairy
have drawn criticism from environmentalists for confining their
cows to feedlots instead of grazing them on pastures. The American
Humane Association rates dairy products, meat and eggs with their
own label if these products meet their standards for animal welfare,
including safe, cage-free environments. If you see milk labeled "rBGH
free" it is made without using Monsanto's bovine growth hormone
to increase milk production.
Be aware that organic standards do not exist for all foods. Though
the organic label on produce is no longer hard to find, we can
also choose healthier produce by asking for apples, for example,
that are grown by local farms as opposed to those raised on giant
factory farms. Small local farms are much more likely to put out
a healthier, tastier product. A growing group of small-scale farmers
who do use organic practices but prefer to remain independent of
the U.S.D.A., label their products certified naturally grown. To
read their philosophy and their reason for separation from the
U.S.D.A. go to their web site at: www.naturallygrown.org .
In regard to seafood, there are no U.S.D.A. organic standards.
If fish is labeled organic it's likely to have been certified by
an agency in another country. The best we can do is look for the
country of origin label (C.O.O.L.). This label is now applied only
to seafood, but soon to be applied to meat and produce. Also, we
can look for labels on seafood that use color code standards to
rate the quality of the fish in terms of environmental standards.
Green is good; yellow is questionable; red is bad.
The labeling of meat and poultry as organic is difficult because
the raising of organically grown animals is not yet fully defined.
Though the U.S.D.A. label for organic meat does exist, it is still
being challenged by environmentalists and animal rights activists.
Poultry and meat that state on their packages that they are antibiotic
free, hormone free and/or natural are not backed by any certifying
organization. Meat that asserts that it is grass fed is not prohibited
by the U.S.D.A. from using antibiotics and growth hormones.
A variety of products, including meat, poultry, eggs and dairy
products may carry the certified humane raised & handled label.
This label ensures the buyer that the product was raised without
antibiotics or growth hormones. Because it is partly funded by
the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals,
it also insures animal-care standards.
For a more detailed guide to food labeling go to the Organic
Consumer website: www.greenerchoices.org/eco-labels/.
You will find a list of all currently verified food labels. Each
label can be reviewed in terms of what kind of food will carry
it and what the label means. The more we demand labels, the
greater our chance of having a supply of healthy foods in our grocery
stores.
|
|
