What does "organic" grown mean relating to produce and other plant products?

[crazyincalifornia]

I mean is this just a come on?
It just says organic without saying what it means.
Why should anybody pay more for something "organic?
Does it mean contains extra carbon or something?
How is it better?
:)

I don't really know exactly what organic means relating to foods.

I know what organic means but I don't necessarily buy it.

I always buy organic whenever possible.

I would never buy organic.

Updates

+1 y

In short, the EPA defines organic as using little or no pesticides, same with hormones.

I did find out that organic farming is technically a business failure.
Disney tried to grow their own organic products, poured millions into it, hired the best experts, and folded the entire operation in 7 years.

The killer seems to be bushel yield. Without modern pesticides the yield per acre is so low experts are positive what is touted as organic is in fact, not.

[Amagi82]

In addition to what the others said, it's more important to buy certain foods organic than others. Some foods absorb more pesticide and whatnot. As a general rule, don't worry about organic with a fruit or vegetable that has a thick protective skin, and definitely go organic on foods with edible skins. There's tons of advice on this, but here's an example:

www.marksdailyapple.com/.../#axzz3JFxcVpI5

[crazyincalifornia]

Thanks for that!

[Torix99]

Google.

Synthetic pesticides and chemical fertilizers are not allowed, although certain organically approved pesticides may be used under limited conditions. In general, organic foods are also not processed using irradiation, industrial solvents, or chemical food additives.

[crazyincalifornia]

I took an environmental science class my last year in HS, (2 years ago) (an AP class but maybe level 2000, I don't remember.
So I se a lot of myths and misinformation perpetuated here.
You are least in the ball park.
:)
There were at least 2 chapters and several UV bulletins devoted to "organics".

[Cindylouu]

No added hormones, pesticides, herbicides. Grown/produced all natural. It's more expensive because companies like Monsanto want you to buy the cheaper stuff that they infuse with toxins so you'll ingest them, become unhealthy or fat, and lead a more apathetic life.

Population control - New world order.

An obese population is more likely to not revolt or question anything.

[MyNameIsJonas]

Organic = No added hormone/genetically modified animal.

Organic cost more because It is always cheaper to use genetically modified organism that grow fast and produce more meat. Using hormones can also add size and reproduction rate.

For instance if you eat KFC www.google.com/search

I only eat organic.

[crazyincalifornia]

There is not a single scintilla o9f empirical evidence that organic foods are any better than non organic products.
It seems to be just taking advantage of an uneducated public.

John Stossel of 20/20 retracted his investigation on damage to humans and the environment by pesticides.
He said I was so focused on my end of the story, I ignored the experts.
"Organics are a rip-off". Stossel!

[koko124]

"There is not a single scintilla o9f empirical evidence that organic foods are any better than non organic products"

Yeah there is. It may not be rigorous enough (or politically correct enough) for a scientific journal, but there's evidence out there.

I personally experimented on myself, and had others blind test me over a dozen times. My problem was that dairy was giving me acne, but when I reintroduced organic dairy, it didn't come back. Butterpats at restaurants were the worst, they would always give me cystic acne within hours.

14/15 times, eating restaurant butter pats gave me bad painful acne, and eating grass-raised butter didn't.

[koko124]

"John Stossel of 20/20 retracted his investigation on damage to humans and the environment by pesticides.
He said I was so focused on my end of the story, I ignored the experts."

LOL. Stossel also switched from 20/20 to Fox. I wonder why he would make such a sudden retraction of something he seemed to have put a lot of thought into, citing nothing more than "expert knowledge" as the reason.

[koko124]

It's not necessarily better. "Organic" just means that no synthetic pesticides are used on the food, and not GMO.

In my experience, organic food tends to taste and look better, but this is only a trend, and not a rule. This is probably because many organic growers (but not all) focus on soil quality and composition, leading to a better final crop.

I've also noticed a difference in dairy, the organic kind usually doesn't give me acne.

[crazyincalifornia]

Np! Reduced, not none.
The word "organic" has bees manipulated to infer "safe). Nothing is further from the truth. Some of the most toxic substances are in fact, organic in nature.

[sirspauldo]

I know it at least means that it does not contain preservatives, which is why organic food does not last as long as non-organic food, but that is good because preservatives are not good for your health

[RoastedCat]

I usually buy organic food as I assume it doesn't come with as much shit sprayed on it etc. However when it comes to non food products I really dont. Overconsumption is more harming to the climate within that undustry anyways.

[Klaatu51]

no hormones added i guess but no i don't give a shit if it's organic or not LOL