Public perception of organic foodMany people have strong opinions on organic food. Some see organic options as a more sustainable and healthier option. They worry that the chemical pesticides and fertilizers used in other produce will harm them and their families, and may think that organic food has more or better nutrients. Other people see organic food as a marketing ploy to encourage more spending—organic food is usually costly, and may not taste different from similar products that are not marketed as organic. The truth, as far as we know with our limited evidence, is somewhere in between.
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Pros of organic food
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Cons of organic food
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The verdictWhen organic and non-organic foods are compared, there is little or no difference seen between them. Natural chemicals have been found to be equally dangerous as synthetic chemicals—though neither pose a serious risk to human health. Organic food often costs more than non-organic options, which places it out of reach of many consumers who then feel guilty for their inability to provide their family with organic options. There is nothing wrong with buying organic food, but rather than trusting the labels, you should do your own research. Are the organic farming methods used in production truly sustainable? Is the product certified organic, or is it just being marketed in a misleading way? Is the product being transported a long way to get to you? If your goal is to make sustainable choices, try to buy locally when possible and find brands that you trust- look for companies like Annie’s Homegrown that are transparent about their ingredients and process. While organic food is certainly not bad, it isn’t always as good as it seems.
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