Finding a definition of organic food seems harder than it should be. If you have been to a grocery store lately, then you have no doubt seen shelves and sections dedicated to organic food. Organic produce usually has its own section, next to the “regular” produce. Organic snacks, cereals, and juices also have their own specially marked section. Trying to get an accurate organic food definition can be tricky at times, because so many companies have co opted the term for use in marketing. If you remember the early 1990’s and the term “low fat,” then you may be familiar with a similar line of marketing that also caused confusion with consumers.
The organic food definition that is most commonly accepted is a food product which contains no additives, no ingredients which have been genetically altered, and in which no pesticides or other toxins were used during the production of. For produce, the organic food definition covers most of those bases; organic produce does not use pesticides, and it does not use additives in the soil which would not be considered natural. Additionally, the produce itself has not been genetically modified in a laboratory. Organic foods which are used in products like cereal, juice, and snacks usually follow the same set of rules, with additional restrictions on preservatives which are used in production. These products may be more expensive, but they may not be much better for you depending on what you purchased. Processed sugar, for example, is still harmful in large quantities whether it is organic or not. Other organic foods definitions that stand out include organic meat and dairy; these mean that the animals involved in production where not treated with hormones, which effects the quality of milk, eggs, butter, and other dairy goods.
Just knowing one organic food definition does not mean that every organic food falls under that definition. If you want to be sure that the organic food that you purchase meets your standards, then it is usually best to learn more bout the company which sells it. If you find that your organic food does not have the right standard of quality that you would expect from the organic label, then it may be time to look for a product line which takes the organic food definition a bit more seriously. It could help you to find organic food that is worth the price.