Once found only in health food stores, organic food is now a regular feature at most supermarkets and that has created a bit of a dilemma in the produce aisle. On one hand, you have conventionally grown food. On the other, you have food that's organic. Which should you choose?
Get all the facts before you pick a lane!
For food to be certified organic by the Department of Agriculture, fruits, vegetables, grains and nuts must be grown without the use of most synthetic fertilizers and pesticides. Apart from that, meat and dairy must be produced by raising animals which are fed organic food and without the use of synthetic hormones or antibiotics.
Packaged organic foods such as cookies and ice cream should have the India organic seal. Before buying any organic product, consumers should look for Food Safety and Standard Authority of India’s unified organic food product logo; Jaivik Bharat and FSSAI Logo License number or India Organic Logo (NPOP certified) along with FSSAI license number. The market size for such items reached nearly $50 billion in 2017 and is expected to surge to $70 billion by 2025.
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Here are some potential health benefits of organic foods, as suggested by the UK National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI), when compared to conventionally grown foods. Take a look!
More healthy fats
When it comes to meat and milk, organic products can have about 50% more omega-3 fatty acids than conventionally produced products. Switching from conventional to organic products would raise consumers’ omega-3 intake without increasing overall calories or saturated fat.
Organic foods are not genetically modified
Organic foods are GMO free which means they are not genetically engineered in nature. Genetic engineering of food products is a huge concern in the current era. The food safety advocates believe GMOs are a leading cause of slowed brain growth, internal organ damage, gastrointestinal disorders and the thickening of the digestive tract.
No antibiotics or synthetic hormones
Conventional livestock can be fed antibiotics to protect against illness, making it easier for farmers to raise animals in crowded or unsanitary conditions. Organic foods are produced without antibiotics and are intrinsically safer in this respect.
Environmental safety
Organic foods are locally grown and pose very minimal interference to the environmental resources that support healthy living. Since harmful chemicals are forbidden in organic farming, there is minimum water, air and soil pollution. Therefore, ensuring a healthier and safer environment.
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