More on Organic Foods
Since organic baby food has been discussed here lately, I thought I’d post a link to an interesting article that appeared in the New York Times:
The ‘Organic’ Stamp–Does It Mean That Food Is Safer?
It’s about the foods labeled as “organic” and how they achieve that status. You know the peanut butter contaminated with salmonella that has killed nine people and caused almost 700 people to become ill? The peanut butter, from Peanut Corporation of America, had the official organic stamp on it.
From the article:
Organics has grown from an $11 billion business in the United States in 2001 to one that now generates more than $20 billion in sales, so the stakes for farmers, processors and certifiers can be high. But the agency overseeing the certifying process has long been considered underfunded and understaffed. Critics have called the system dysfunctional.
I think people are led to believe that organic food is safe and pure. If only that were true.
Julie Said,
March 4, 2009 @ 9:33 pm
Man, it’s too bad. I admit it. I’ve bought organic food for years. Only recently did I become skeptical about it.
And really, I still buy a lot of it, because I shop at Trader Joe’s and there’s just so much of it there. It doesn’t really cost more.
Or maybe it does. I’m not exactly a careful shopper. I figure we’re saving money if we don’t eat takeout every night.
catgirl Said,
March 6, 2009 @ 7:22 am
Well, Salmonella is technically organic, and it’s certainly “natural”.
Caroline S. Said,
March 9, 2009 @ 10:01 am
Just as the article said in several places, “organic” food production and processing food safety are two separate issues. I buy organic when I can because I’d like to reduce my and my kids’ exposure to pesticides, herbicides, antibiotics and hormones, and I hope that the farming practices are more sustainable. But I never assume that the food is contaminant free just because it’s organic. At the very least, I assume that raw fruits and veggies have been handled by unwashed hands at some point along the path from farm to store.
Angie Goodloe Said,
March 10, 2009 @ 11:32 am
I make all my baby food. I use the magic bullet- we also have a garden and grow our own.
I talk about it here http://herbalistpath.blogspot.com/2008/09/preserving-harvest-first-foods-for-baby.html
Also, Feeding The Whole Family By Cynthia Lair has great tips for baby food- l am giving the book away today on my site – all you have to do is leave a comment for a chance to win http://authenticmama.com/?p=176
Estherar Said,
March 10, 2009 @ 4:05 pm
There was a very good article about modern food production methods and what will and won’t work in Mother Jones magazine that touches upon whether ‘organic’ and local foods are really best:
http://www.motherjones.com/environment/2009/02/spoiled-organic-and-local-so-2008
Jodi Said,
March 10, 2009 @ 4:14 pm
Great article, Estherar. Thanks for sharing it here!