Sustainable Eating Series || “Natural” vs “Organic” Foods
What is sustainable eating?
The agricultural and food industry uses a lot of jargon, and it’s not always clear how these terms relate to the foods we eat. This challenge motivated me to explore and think critically about the language used in food and food production. As a result, I've created a three-part article series on Sustainable Eating, which I hope will spark discussions with your friends and family and prompt positive changes in how we all relate to the food we grow, buy, prepare, and consume.
Natural. Organic. Are these terms interchangeable?
When it comes to shopping for groceries, we all want to purchase the highest quality and most nutritious food that is available for us and our loved ones. However, when labels like "natural" or "organic" are commonly found on food products, it can be difficult to tell the difference between what is marketing and what is truly nutritious. After all, “natural” and “organic” are basically the same thing. Right?
Surprisingly, not quite.
When it comes to choosing food sources, there are many important differences between natural and organic foods. These include the regulations surrounding them, the effects on the environment, as well as the effects on people and animals during the growing and consuming stages.
Not so natural.
There are few regulatory hurdles for foods labeled "natural." The interpretation of the term is left up to companies and consumers, and companies can use the label liberally. Food companies can claim that their products have "natural flavors" while still containing various chemicals or synthetics. This makes it difficult to know whether the flavors are coming from natural sources or if the product contains ingredients that are nutritious. Whereas organic food or ingredients are defined and regulated by the USDA. Foods labeled "organic" do not contain synthetics, pesticides, fertilizers, or GMOs, and they may not contain hormones or antibiotics.
Pesticides, fertilizers, sewage sludge, and our environment.
Considering that organic foods are regulated and natural foods are not, organic foods are in fact better for the environment. Natural or conventional foods, use fertilizer and or pesticides. These substances are made from fossil fuels, which release greenhouse gasses into the atmosphere, leading to global warming. Often more fertilizer is used than needed for plants and the runoff pollutes our waterways. Conventional agriculture may also use sewage sludge, which spreads biosolids—including human and industrial waste—on farmland, helping to reduce the use of synthetic fertilizers. However, sewage sludge also runs off into our waterways from farms. Pesticides, fertilizers, and sewage sludge runoff are harmful not just because they contaminate our water supply, but also because these chemicals and sludge can pollute our rivers, lakes, and oceans creating "dead zones" where marine life cannot thrive due to lack of oxygen in the water.
Additionally, when pesticides are used excessively, they can lead to the development of pesticide resistance. While most pests are killed by pesticides, a few are able to survive, reproduce and then over generations of those bugs–superbugs emerge and new, more harmful pesticides must be created to combat the resistant pests creating a problematic cycle of pesticide overuse and resistance. By comparison, organic farming doesn’t use synthetic pesticides or fertilizers so the same issues are not present. In fact, in organic farming many gardeners or farmers create thriving ecosystems on their land by planting more desirable vegetation that attracts certain pests to divert them from crops.
Organic foods are not only better for the environment but for human health as well since they don't rely on pesticides which can have harmful side effects. When crops are grown without the use of pesticides, agricultural workers are less likely to be exposed to toxins and harmful chemicals, which can cause toxicity and poisoning. Farmers are typically exposed to pesticides through the application and cleaning-up process of pesticide spray solutions, spills and splashes, manual labor, contact with residues on crops or soil, and even drift from neighboring fields. Long-term exposure to pesticides can cause cancer, birth defects, and learning disabilities.
Consuming organic foods or natural foods affects our health.
While pesticide exposure is not as intense for us or our loved ones, the impact still can affect us. Consuming conventional foods instead of organic increases our risk of exposure to pesticides. Some pesticides are difficult to remove from fruits or vegetables or may have been absorbed deeper than the skin or surface of the fruit or vegetable. The Environmental Working Group (EWG) claims that “consumers can lower their pesticide consumption by nearly four-fifths by avoiding conventionally grown varieties of the 12 most contaminated fruits and vegetables”. Annually, the EWG releases a list of fruits and vegetables suspected of containing high levels of pesticides. Consumers are advised to avoid eating these items, and to instead opt for organic versions to reduce their exposure to these chemicals. Lowering pesticide consumption is one of the best ways we can help nurture and protect our health. The long term effects of pesticides are the same for consumers as agricultural workers– cancer, birth defects, and learning disabilities.
The impact of conventional or organic farming also affects livestock.
Organic farming is better for our environment, people who work in production of our food, and consumers. It's better for animals too because it eliminates the use of harmful chemicals and practices. Animals in organic agriculture are often treated better and are free of antibiotics and hormones, two substances that can create harmful bacteria. Additionally, in many countries in Europe, Canada, and other parts of the world, there are laws banning the use of these substances, but this is not the case in the United States. Therefore, it is important to purchase organic meats when possible to avoid exposure to these dangers.
There are really only three things you need to remember.
When shopping for groceries, it can be hard to tell the difference between organic and natural or conventional foods. Sometimes, even when looking at the prices of produce, seafood or meats, it can be tempting to believe that organic foods are not really worth it. However, organic foods provide us with a healthier environment, healthier livestock, and better health for agricultural workers and our loved ones, making them well worth the cost. So next time you're shopping for groceries online or at the grocery store, remember three simple things.
Avoid "natural" or conventional products.
Buy organic vegetables and meat as much as possible.
When in doubt, buy from your local farmers market. Most items will be sold in their freshest condition and most likely grown without any chemicals. Plus, items from farmers markets are often sold directly to consumers with no markup!
