I think the crap in coventional foods causes a lot of problems all around. Early puberty, ADD/ADHD/, possibly autism, among many other things.
Also if it doesn't have the USDA stamp that is is organic, it s not. Lots of companies try to fool you.
Go By The Logo
So what are we looking for? What is going to seal the deal for us that our food is actually organic? Simple. The USDA logo. In 2002, the United States Department of Agriculture established guidelines to go by in order to ensure quality and truthfulness in all products. The 100% Organic logo will let you know that the ingredients in use are all organic. This sticker is commonly found on fruits, veggies, eggs and milk products.
There Is A Difference
100% organic, as written before, means exactly what it says. Translation: No synthetic chemicals, fertilizers, genetically modified organisms or additives. However, “Organic” means a product is in the 95-99% range and “Made with Organic Ingredients” contains 70-94% organic ingredients. Be mindful of the word “Organic” when it stands alone.. If you are looking to go all the way then stick with the 100%.
Natural Is Deceiving
When we hear the word “natural” we automatically assume that a product is good for us. Not always the case. The USDA labels a large quantity of packaging as natural, meaning that harmful toxins may still be used as ingredients. These days, the term “natural” is almost everywhere, leading consumers into a gauntlet of confusion. You will save yourself from a lot of hassle and toxins by looking for the organic labeling long before you go trusting the “natural” ingredients.
Stick To The Locals
The great thing about the farmer’s market is that you have a chance to talk face-to-face with the grower of your food. These individuals can tell you just about anything, from the place the food was grown to the weather conditions the crop endured. It is a chance to ask anything and everything about the product that might just find its way onto the dinner table in the hours ahead. Perhaps it’s just me, but I believe there is no greater feeling than knowing your food was plucked and grown just a few miles away.
Consult With The Grocer
Oftentimes loading up the cart and scooting out of the store can turn into an overwhelming process, especially when we are looking for the organic goods. At times it is best to consult the grocers who know it best. Ask in the produce section for someone who “knows their stuff.” A good grocer can save you time and energy in discerning whether or not a product is truly organic or just another artificially flavored fraud.
Also produce stickers are very important to understand:
Produce stickers and labels hold a lot more information than simply the cute name or slogan of a fruit of veggie. By reading the sticker number, you can actually confirm if the piece of produce you hold in your hand is organic, not organic and/or genetically modified. How? First, stop smiling at the cute Garfield face on the banana sticker and find the code. Next...notice that the bar code on that sticker is for price information.
Next, notice that the labels on fruits and veggies will have a 4 or 5 digit code.
If your produce has 4 digits, it means that it was "conventionally grown, but not organic".
If it has 5 digits, and begins with a 9, it means that the produce was organically grown.
A 5 digit code that begins with an 8 indicates that the produce was genetically modified.
For example, the kiwi in the photo above has a code "4030"
So, this kiwi is not organic, but conventionally grown. It is NOT genetically modified.
The same is true for the melon with the number: "4317"
If an apple sticker said "96584" it would have been grown organically. An apple with "86584" would be genetically altered.
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