One of the misconceptions which most of us have is that when we buy organic food from the food store, we ‘presume’ that it ought to be made from organic ingredients too, or else it would be the usual food. This might come to you as a surprise, but not all organic foods are made from organic ingredients! Remember, many of the organic foods like fruits, vegetables or eggs, if they are truly organic would carry a label which confirms that they are 100% organic and these foods would usually use the USDA organic seal. Look for any one of the following label information: • 100 percent organic, all organic ingredients • Organic, at least 95 percent organic • Made with organic ingredients, contain 70 percent organic ingredients. The common problem with most of us is that we mix up other labeling information like ‘all natural’, ‘natural’, ‘hormone-free’ etc with organic. We must remember that such foods may not be ‘organic’ in the truest sense of the world according the USDA organaic standards.
Currently there is some controversy regarding some non-organic ingredients, which are incorporated in foods, which are labeled ‘organic’. There are several common non-organic ingredients, ‘allowed’ to be added to organic foods and these include citric and lactic acid, calcium carbonate, calcium chloride, glycerin, and xanthan gum. Thus, it must be remembered that not all organic foods are completely organic.
There are diverse opinions on the nutritional value of organic foods. Be that as it may, they are a good choice and there are very good reasons to buy and consume them. For example some foods and fruits like peach and strawberry, nectarines and lettuce that tend to attract a lot of pesticides, which could be really harmful for the body. Then there is another school of thought, which confirms that organic foods are not only good for health but good for the soil and environment too. Pesticides and harsh herbicides pollute the soil, which results in rapid soil erosion. However, the basic issue here is that the organic food growing industry is rather small right now, to cater to the world needs.
It is also a fact that organic foods cost more because of the high costs involved in farming them as well as lower yield. While the debate is on, whether organic food is really worth its high costs, what as ordinary citizens, we can do to eat health is perhaps the following: • Invest in buying season fruits and vegetables. You would always get them fresh. • Check with your grocer, when he is expecting the next lot of fresh farm produce.
• After you bring them to the kitchen spend sometime in washing them thoroughly under running water, and spinach etc in warm salted water, to minimize the bacteria and germs. • If it is possible and space permits, you could grow your own organic fruits and vegetables in your backyard, which should not be a problem, if you know how. Then you save on costs and eat the best.
General Health 
be the usual food. This might come to you as a surprise, but not all organic foods are made from organic ingredients! Remember, many of the organic foods like fruits, vegetables or eggs, if they are truly organic would carry a label which confirms that they are 100% organic and these foods would usually use the USDA organic seal. Look for any one of the following label information: 