The Benefits Of An Organic Diet - 1510 Words

The Benefits of an Organic Diet In the last 15 years there has been a steady rise in consumer demand and preference for organic food. Organic foods are now available in nearly three out of four conventional grocery stores. If you cannot find what you are looking for at a conventional grocery store, there are also grocery stores that are dedicated primarily to eating an organic diet. The organic food market has been on a growth trend since 2000. Organic and natural foods are the fastest-growing sector of the American food marketplace. This growth is evident by the availability of organic foods in not only grocery stores but also department stores like Target and Walmart. The organic market makes up over four percent of total food†¦show more content†¦The bottom line is that more and more consumers perceive organic to be superior to conventional food. Defining Organic The difference between â€Å"conventional† food and â€Å"organic† food comes down to how the foods are produced. The term Organic is defined as organic produce and other ingredients that are grown without the use of pesticides, synthetic fertilizers, sewage sludge, genetically modified organisms, or ionizing radiation. Animals that produce meat, poultry, eggs, and dairy products do not take antibiotics or growth hormones (â€Å"What Does Organic Mean?†). Regulation Regulation is handled by the United States Department of Agriculture knows as the USDA. The USDA determines what can be labeled or defined as Organic. The USDA National Organic Program (NOP) defines organic as follows: Organic food is produced by farmers who emphasize the use of renewable resources and the conservation of soil and water to enhance environmental quality for future generations. Organic meat, poultry, eggs, and dairy products come from animals that are given no antibiotics or growth hormones. Organic food is produced without using most conventional pesticides; fertilizers made with synthetic ingredients or sewage sludge; bioengineering; or ionizing radiation. Before a product can be labeled organic, a Government-approved certifier inspects the farm where the food is