What is Organic Food?

"Organic" has some quite specific legal definitions in most developed countries.

In the U.S, all farms or products claiming to be "certified organic" must be guaranteed by a USDA-approved independent agency to be meeting the following guidelines:

* Sound records kept of all operations

* No use of antibiotics or hormones in livestock

* No use of genetically modified organisms

* No irradiation

* Use sound soil conservation and crop rotation practice

* And most importantly, that there has been no useage of prohibited materials within 3 years prior to certification, or at any time during certification.

The USDA defines 'prohibited materials' as synthetic fertilizers, pesticides and sewage sludge. It is also a requirement that there is no cross-contamination during processing, which means organic wheat for example cannot be ground in a flour factory that also handles non-organic material.

Produce grown organically certainly tastes better than the usual supermarket stock. It also contains higher levels of nutrients and far lower residual pesticides. You can read all the latest Organic Food articles and research at http://www.ge-free.com/

In general food grown free of pesticides, herbicides and genetically modified organisms (GMO) is organic to some extent. Certified organic food is that which meets the strict criteria of the USDA as described above. Most countries have their own version of regulation.

Organic food can be classified into two groups, fresh and processed.

There are many additional requirements for certification of processed organic food:

* contains a minimum percentage of organic ingredients.

* has no added artificial ingredients like preservatives etc.

* is processed free of artificial methods like chemical ripening or irradiation.

Most processed organic food is now available in supermarkets. There are also organic only stores in most large cities now, and there will be many more similar stores as the production of certified organic food increases.

Jeremy is the owner of http://www.ge-free.com/ and publisher of the Organic News blog. Go to ge-free.com for all the latest organic food articles and news.

---

A Consumers Guide to Soy Terms

Although you may have heard about soy and all of... Read More

Juicing - A Beginners Guide

You can spot a juicer a mile off at the... Read More

How Does Glucosamine Chondroitin Help Your Body?

Glucosamine is readily produced in the human body and is... Read More

South Beach Diet - US vs. World

Diets concern especially Americans as they do have a "national... Read More

What is the Atkins Diet and How Can It Help You?

What is the Atkins diet and how can it help... Read More

Understanding Amino Acids and their Importance in Diet

The importance of protein in a healthy diet is well... Read More

Starbucks and Children Health Risks

Do you know the risks to daily intakes of Starbucks... Read More

Healthy Eating Myths Destroyed

Some of the things you think you know that just... Read More

Seafood - the Healthy Alternative

Most red and white meats are very fatty and are... Read More

Four Important Nutrients - Vitamin E, Selenium, Sodium and Potassium ? For Good Health

Vitamin EThere has been a lot of controversy about vitamin... Read More

Manganese 101

Manganese is a metallic mineral that was discovered by a... Read More

Good Fat Diet or How to Choose the Best Foods for Your Family?

Some fats are good for you. Your body can't function... Read More

Beware of Eating Too Much Protein

The typical American diet already provides plenty of protein and... Read More

5 Ways to Get the Best Out of Radishes

They sit left behind on relish trays. They're often by-passed... Read More

Introduction To Cocaine Addiction

Coke, more commonly known as cocaine is a highly addictive... Read More

Protein Wont Make You Fat: Myth #1

How many magazines have you read where they tell you... Read More

Nutrition Is Not Common Sense

I'd like to explain an important concept that most online... Read More

3 Important Differences Between White Bread and Whole Wheat

For any kid who grew up eating doughy, thick Wonder... Read More

Eating to Gain Mass

This is usually the forgotten element of most mass programs.... Read More

Alkalize Your Way to Better Health

Today we're shifting our focus from wealth to health. First... Read More

Healthy Eating Tips for Healthy Living

Eating healthy is fast becoming a way of life. American's... Read More

Surprise! Many Fats, Even Some Saturated Fats Can Actually Be Good for You

I'll preface this article by saying that it will help... Read More

Prevent Constipation and Other Health Ailments with Papaya

Constipation is a condition whereby the fecal matter traveling through... Read More

The Omega Zone Diet and Fish Oil

The Omega Zone Diet and specialists' opinion"Omega RX Zone -... Read More

Sleep for Joy

Better sleep = better metabolism. I have been saying it... Read More

The Benefits of Healthy Eating

These are questions we have to ask ourselves? because after... Read More

Confessions of a Personal Fitness Trainer

Last year I had a number of clients who started... Read More

Healthy Eating Made Simple

The confusion about eating healthy and dieting will now be... Read More

Choosing Organic for Health

We come from a society where growing organic and just... Read More

Six Ways to Eat More Healthfully

With so much 'diet advice' around today it is little... Read More

Beginning an Alkaline Diet: The Basic Principles - Start Alkalizing Today!

Each and every person living in the UK is... Read More

The Glycemic Index and Dieting

The field of nutrition is awash with charts, tables, diagrams,... Read More

You Are What You Eat, Do You Dig Your Grave With Your Tongue? Boost Your Immune System

I know that the headline is a oldie, but it... Read More