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ORGANIC STANDARDS: What does organic really mean? [infographic]
This article was published in The Mindful Word journal of engaged living (http://www.themindfulword.org)
Screen reader version:
Strict standards
Fruits and veggies are grown without pesticides, synthetic fertilizers, sewage sludge, genetic modification, ionizing radiation.
Farm animals are raised without antibiotics, growth hormones, non-organic feed
The label
100 per cent organic – means 100 per cent of the ingredients must be organic. The USDA logo may be used on all packaging.
Organic – means a minimum of 95 per cent of the ingredients are organic. The USDA logo may be used on all packaging.
Ingredient panel only – 70 per cent of the ingredients are organic.
Made with organic ingredients – 70 to 94 per cent of the ingredients are organic. The USDA logo cannot be used on the package.
Converting farmland to organic:
Year 1 – Begin building fertility of land for next two years. Harvest cannot be labelled organic yet…
Year 2 – In the second year, crop may be stated as “in conversion.”
Year 3 – It’s not until the third year that produce may be stated as fully organic. Soil and natural fertility building are important parts of organic farming.
Why does organic cost more?
Organic farmers don’t receive federal subsidies like conventional farmers do. Therefore, the price of organic food reflects the true cost of growing.
Organic farms are usually smaller than conventional farms and so do not beneft from the economies of scale that larger growers get.
Organic farming is more labor intensive because methods such as compost application and anti-soil erosion landscaping are very labour intensive.
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2013-04-11 01:07:26
Source: http://www.themindfulword.org/2013/organic-standards-infographic/
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