Should you consider switching to organic food?
The popularity of organic food is growing rapidly. Canadians buy well over $1 billion worth of organic foods each year, according to the Organic Agriculture Centre of Canada, and demand is growing at an estimated 15% to 25% a year.
But while consumers are increasingly willing to pay more for food they believe is better for their health and the environment, many Canadians may not fully understand what the “organic” label means.
The meaning of “organic”
Organic food is produced without most of the widely used synthetic aids such as chemical fertilizers and pesticides, genetic modification, food additives, irradiation, and in the case of animals, growth hormones and antibiotics.
Advocates of organic food point to several benefits, including higher levels of vitamins and other nutrients, minimal levels of chemical residues, and less run-off contaminants in the soil and water during food production.
However, the question of whether organic food is more nutritious is hard to prove conclusively, as other factors such as the quality of the soil and the amount of sunlight during the growing season may affect nutritional values.
And some claim that organic food is no healthier than conventionally produced food, since all food in Canada must meet government standards. As well, organic food may be more susceptible to natural toxins.
New labelling to benefit consumers
Adding to the confusion, until recently, it was not always easy to know that what you were buying was organic, but that is changing.
This June, new mandatory guidelines will be established for organic labelling. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency will work with certification bodies to ensure that Canada-wide standards are met, and a special logo identifying the food as organic will be used on packaging.
A matter of choice
In the end, eating organic is a matter of personal choice, likely based on your values, your research on the subject, a food’s availability, its price, and its place in your diet.
For some, that will mean going the organic route. For others, it will involve choosing to consume more fruits and vegetables and ensuring a balanced diet. Some food organizations are now promoting the “100 mile” approach — eating food grown or raised within 100 miles of your home. This means a focus on fresher food that hasn’t been transported long distances.