Organic Food †Is It Worth Its Price? Essay

Organic farming began in the late 1940s in the United States, and in recent years it has seen a dramatic increase in popularity (Rubin 1). The sales of total feed down been increasing by about 20 percent a year everywhere the past decade (Marcus 1). That is over ten times the rate of their conventional counterparts (Harris 1). There are 10 million consumers of radical sustenance in the United States, yet constitutive(a) food represents only one percent of the nations food supply.This year total food sales are expected to rise to six one thousand million dollars (Rubin 1). So what is organic food? Organic food is that which are liberal without hormones, pesticides, or synthetic fertilizers. Also, the soil in which organic food are fully grown must be clean for three years (Howe 4). Nearly 70 percent of the American public believes that the organic label on food products mover they are safer to eat and better for the environment according to a survey by the National Center for Public Policy (Cummins 1).Organic farming does have its advantages it conserves water and soil resources, recycles animal waste, releases fewer chemicals, improves soil fertility, promotes diversity of crops, and protects farm workers, livestock, and wildlife from potentially harmful pesticides (Rubin 4). But is organic food safer than conventional foods? not only can organic food be back upd with bacteria and pesticides, just also they are much expensive than conventional foods, yet do not offer a better nutritional value or significantly better taste.Sir John Krebs, a zoologist appointed to head the intellectual nourishment Standards Agency in the United Kingdom said that people who bought organic food thinking it was safer or more nutritive were wasting their money (Jones 1). Critics of organic farming claim that it is dodgy, environmentally damaging and, above all, incapable of feeding an overpopulated world because crop yields are lowlyer than in conventional agricul ture (Jones 2). If you are looking for for health benefits from organic food, save your money. Organic food is not necessarily safer than conventional foods.Eileen White, owner of a health food store that sells organic products, says, I cant guarantee that organic food is safer than regular foods, but that is just a risk that more or less consumers are willing to take. first principles 20-20 storyed finding higher concentrations of bacteria on organic set out than on conventional produce (Tierney 1). Organic food can be contaminated with salmonella, Listeria, or E. coli. These microorganisms can cause illness and even death (Rubin 2). Also, since organic food is grown with manure, there is a greater risk of bacterial contamination.Animal waste is used as a fertilizer instead of synthetic chemicals on organic food, and this animal waste may contain touch-and-go bacteria (Tierney 1). Although the manure is composted to kill the bacteria, uncertified farmers may not always follow the proper procedure. Dean Cliver, a professor of food safety at the University of California at Davis, states We know that animals are shedding bacteria that can make people sick if the manure hasnt been treated properly. Personally, if I knew something was grown with conventional chemical fertilizers, I would feel extra safe.But we dont have any data to show that organic food is more or less safe (Tierney 2). Many consumers buy organic food because they think that they are pesticide free, but this is not true. Organic farmers can use inhering pesticides such as sulfur, copper, nicotine, and plant extracts (Rubin 2). Synthetic pesticides can also be found on organic food. Synthetic pesticides can be carried by wind, instal water, rain, or soil from new(prenominal) farms to organic farms and contaminate the organic food being grown there (Rubin 2).Eighty-nine to ninety percent of all pesticides regorge from their point of application, which increases the risk of nearby areas be ing exposed (Howe 2). Also, synthetic pesticides used before may not have disappeared from the soil and therefore can contaminate organic crops (Rubin 2). Many people do not notice a significant difference in the taste of organic food and conventional foods. or so organic food taste very different as compared to conventional foods, like organic milk (White). Sue Gebo, author of Whats Left to release? explains studies do not show a significant taste difference between organic and conventional crops (Rubin 3). U. S. News held a blind taste exam to determine if organic food tasted better than conventional foods. Winter tomatoes, both organic and conventional, were equally tasteless. Conventional carrots and blueberry yogurt tasted better than their organic counterparts, but organic orange juice tasted better than conventional orange juice (Marcus 3). Agricultural Secretary Dan Glickman states that organic food is no more wholesome or nutritious than conventional foods (Marcus 1).Alt hough organic food is almost completely free from synthetic chemicals found in synthetic foods, they are no richer in vitamins, antioxidants, and early(a) nutrients. They are not less likely to make a soul sick either (Marcus 2). The higher grocery price only buys a person peace of mind, not better nutrition. The cost of organic food can be 20 percent to 50 percent more than conventional foods due(p) to limited supply, special handling, and required certification (Rubin 1). All organic food must be produced without synthetic pesticides and genetic engineering.The use of sewage sludge as fertilizer and irradiating food to preserve it will be banned also, as will hormones and antibiotics in organic meat and dairy products (Marcus 1). Not using these technologies makes organic farming more labor intensive, therefore making organic food more expensive. Organic food also has other disadvantages. One disadvantage is a short shelf life. Cereals, breads, nuts, seeds, and oils should be r efrigerated. Also, meats cured without nitrates and nitrites should be frozen (Rubin 2).Organic farming also yields fewer crops because insects, weeds, and fungi often damage a large portion of organic crops than conventionally grown crops (Howe 5). Finally, only about half of the states regulate organic food and little exists to stop organic farmers from labeling any food they wish as organic (Howe 4). Recently, the safety of conventional foods has been questioned. The use of pesticides supplies higher crop yields, reduces the cost and labor of farming, and produces relatively unblemished, visually appealing produce (Howe 3).However, some scientists think that pesticide residues in conventional foods could, over many years, raise the risk of cancer and other illnesses. Hard evidence of this is scarce (Marcus 1). Pesticides are only dangerous if they are present in toxic amounts. Our food supply is safe because the Environmental Protection Agency controls the levels of pesticides u sed (Rubin 2). A panel of the National look into Council concluded in 1996 that tiny levels of chemicals in the food supply are unlikely to pose an appreciable cancer risk (Tierney 2).A similar report released in the same year by the National Academy of Sciences stated that pesticides pose little risk to humans because they are consumed at such low levels (Rubin 2). The health benefits of eating fruits and vegetables such as lower rates of cancer, stroke, and other diseases far outweigh any potential risks. Still, the thought of pesticides on fruits and vegetables may put away concern some consumers, so here are some ways to reduce exposure to pesticides. One should choose foods that are free of dirt, cuts, insect holes, decay, and mold.Also, selecting produce that has thick skins, husks, or hulls (like bananas, melons, and citrus fruits) reduces exposure to pesticides because the skins are harder to permeate. Before eating fruits and vegetables, they should be scrubbed using a ha rd produce brush and water-washed under cold water. Cooking or baking foods will also reduce pesticide residues, as will canning, freezing, or drying foods. Finally, one should eat a alter diet to reduce exposure to any single pesticide (Rubin 3). It is foolish for one to believe that just because a product is natural it is better than conventional products.E. coli and other microorganisms are natural too. Organic food is not any safer than conventional foods. They still can contain bacteria and pesticides, and are no more nutritious or delicious than conventional foods. Yet people are still willing to spend nearly twice as much on organic food. If one wants to buy foods that are more environmentally friendly, then organic food would be a good choice but if one is looking for immediate health benefits, save your money. An apple is an apple, whether it is organic or not, and people should not have to pay twice as much for peace of mind.