Importance of Organic Foods Essay

The definition of thorough agriculture is do hold out with the affair of synthetic chemicals. After World War II, larger and increasingly automated farms, known as factory farms, put the synthetic fertilizers, pesticides and herbicides developed in the 1920s into widespread use. They found that more(prenominal) crops could be produced mass produced. What they did not realize were the dangers of using these chemicals and the effects they would have on the environment and human health. The husbandry mustiness approve all products claiming to be organic and on that point be many strict guidelines farmers must follow.Farmers must abstain from the use of prohibited materials (pesticides, synthetic fertilizers, and sewage sludge) for three years prior to be certified organic and then continue these practices throughout their organic license. They must employ positive alter burning, conservation, manure management and crop rotation. They must provide outdoor access and pastures f or livestock and refrain from the use of antibiotics and hormones in their animals, while sustaining livestock on 100% organic feed.Farmers may not use genetically modified organisms or irradiation. Organic products are grown in healthier spot and declare higher(prenominal) levels of nutrients and non-organics. Many organic may still taste better. Food irradiation is worse than the radiation from a television or microwave. The ionizing radiation processes use on aliment break up molecules and deplete food of essential vitamins and enzymes. Many pesticides are linked to diseases. An example is glufosinate, which is commonly used on sugar beets and canola, has been shown to arrive at birth defects.Chemical companies influence the government to raise the acceptable levels of chemicals in foods so that they can distinguish more money on their product without concern for the environment and the safety of people. The Environmental Protection mode (EPA) is encouraging the use of bio solids (human waste) to be used as fertilizers in order to solve the problem of there being too much waste than they know what to do with. They problem is that industrial waste and cyanogenic chemicals get mixed in. Many toxins such as PCBs, DDT, asbestos, dioxins, and toxic heavy metals are being used in the cultivation of food.Yuck. Another problem we face is the use of hormones and antibiotics in our livestock. Bovine growth hormones discontinue up in our dairy products, and those BGHs and linked to prostate and breast cancer. The ingestion of antibiotics can damage the commensurateness of beneficial bacteria in our bodies and create drug-resistance, so that if we really get sick, antibiotics may not work anymore. Many people may try to eat healthier by cutting down on fast-foods and processed foods by eating more fruits and vegetables, but this can even defeat itself.For example, non-organic spinach contains for pesticide equalizer than any other fruit or vegetable. The twel ve most contaminated crops are strawberries, green and carmine bell peppers, spinach, cherries (US), peaches, cantaloupe (Mexico), celery, apples, apricots, green beans, grapes (Chile), and cucumbers. More than 90% of all pesticides used dont even reach the desired plant they were used on There are many reasons to buy organic foods. You will protect future generations- decrease the cancer causing pesticides in foods.You will prevent soil erosion- soil is the foundation of our food chain, and chemicals fertilizers deplete healthy soil. You will protect water quality- water makes of three-fourths of the planet, and the EPA has estimated that pesticides contaminate the ground water in over thirty-eight states. You will save energy- modern culture uses more petroleum than any other industry, but organic farming is based mainly on labor intensive practices and uses green manure to build up soil.Youll keep chemicals off of your plate- the EPA considers 60% of herbicides, 90% of fungicid es, and 30% of insecticides carcinogenic. You will protect farm worker health- over one million people are poisoned annually by pesticides, and farmers exposed to herbicides have a six times greater risk of undertake cancer. Youll help small farmers- most organic farms are small and independently owned, and the US has lost more and 650, 000 family farms in the past decade. Youll promote biodiversity- insects become genetically resistant to insecticides, and soil is left lacking inherent minerals and nutrients if chemicals are used.And the number one reason to buy organic- your food will taste better and contain more essential vitamins and nutrients Pittsburgh Organic and some helpful websitesEast End Food Co-op 7516 Meade street PGH, PA 15208 412-242-3598 E House Company 1511 East Carson Street PGH, PA 412-488-7455 www. eastendfood. coop www. nascigs. com -request a turn carton of smokes www. cleanvibes. com www. organicconsumers. org www. odemagazine. net www. organickitchen. c om www. sare. org www. themeatrix. com.