Organic Food As a Fast-Growing Segment of US Agriculture

Organic Food As a Fast-Growing Segment of US Agriculture
by Alex Radich

Let us have a look at the main idea beneath organic food production, i.e. using
materials and practices that could improve the ecological balance of natural systems.
We cannot be absolutely sure that organic products are free of residues yet there are
best practices involved in production that are directed at minimizing pollution from
air, soil and water. And organic food production is controlled y strict state and federal
standards, too.

Thus mostly people tend to treat organic food as that which is devoid of fertilizers or
pesticides. Nonetheless the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) labelled
food as organic if it is 95 percent pure.

Sometimes products contain only 70 percent of organic materials or even less. This
kind of food cannot be called organic but it can be labelled "made with organic
ingredients". Thus you should differentiate between these forms of products at the
supermarket.

De facto non-organic practices in the USA release more than one billion pounds of
pesticides. The USDA's tests prove that organic products contain three or four times
less pesticide residues than in conventionally produced fruits and vegetables.

And conventional practices in agriculture can result in water contamination. According
to Environmental Working Group's research that was conducted back in 1955 across
the Corn Belt, in Louisiana and Maryland, scientists concluded that tap water pesticide
contamination was at health risk levels. The solution was in organic farming methods,
as well as developing the soil.

It is important to notice that the term organic has another meaning than organic.
Sometimes food producers seeking higher sales and good reputation make tricks by
labelling their food as natural as it does not comply to organic food standards.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) allows using the term natural for food that
does not contain any added colourings, artificial ingredients or synthetic substances.

That is why more and more non-organic producers try to present their products as
good for health and thus, in 2008, about one third of all new US food and beverage
products were labelled with the word "natural".

About The Author

Alexander Radich is an author writing on a bunch of both fictional and scientific fields.
He writes about in his blog. is a
recommended read.

Lately organic food is gaining
popularity, the trend being stable for
at least five years. The recent
research conducted by the Food
Marketing Institute provides proof
that majority of American citizens
buy organic food at least once a
month.

This segment of US agriculture shows
rapid growth. Only in 2007 organic
food retailers earned more than 20
billion dollars. The annual growth of
organic dairy industry is estimated to
be 18 percent by the year 2010.

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The content on
this website is for educational purposes only. Please consult with your physician before using natural
remedies and before making any drastic changes to your diet or exercise program.