Organic foods are often sold focusing on the positive aspects of eating these products. Organic foods are those that are grown without the use of synthetic, cytotoxic chemicals, such as herbicides or pesticides and the growing process protects the soil for future use. Organic farmers must be certified in order to label their products as "organic." If you include these foods as part of a healthy diet without added chemicals, there are some misconceptions about organic foods that may cause negative effects.
Cost
You may pay premium prices for organic foods because of the belief that these products are healthier or more nutritious. While some of the higher prices can account for the fact that organic farmers must be certified and therefore must carry out practices that differ from conventional methods of farming, the prices of organic foods are often significantly higher. For example, according to the Rodale Institute, a non-profit organization promoting research and funding for organic foods, one bushel of 100 ct. Granny Smith apples sold in San Francisco runs approximately $50, while the same amount of apples in the same location that were farmed in conventional methods cost $28.
Appearance
Organic foods do not always look as appealing as those grown in conventional methods. For example, fruits and vegetables grown on conventional farms and seen on supermarket shelves may be bigger, have less bruising or pitting and may be packaged to appear more appetizing. Alternatively, organic fruits and vegetables may be smaller and have more blemishes. The International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements (IFOAM) states that while many people are willing to accept imperfect foods certified as organic, more and more sellers are requiring that organic foods also have a visual appeal. With more imperfections and blemishes, organic foods are now also being wasted because of appearance.
Location
As the business of selling organic foods continues to grow, these products are available from supermarkets to farmer's markets. While farmer's markets may have locally-grown produce that has been certified organic, purchasing organic foods in the grocery store does not necessarily mean that it has been grown locally. You may think that you are buying local organic foods and supporting the local economy, when in fact organic foods are shipped between locations. Although you may associate the word "organic" with "home grown" or conclude that it is fresher than foods produced through conventional methods, this misconception is not true in all circumstances.
Safety
Consumers who purchase organic foods may do so under the guise that organic foods are produced using methods that are safer than conventional methods. Some people believe that eating foods grown without pesticides and on naturally sustainable land are less likely to be contaminated. Organic foods are still susceptible to contamination and are not necessarily deemed safer than conventional foods. Foods from locations that are certified organic are inspected, just as conventional foods, but the actual label of "organic" does not protect consumers from possible contamination. For example, in 2009, the Peanut Corporation of America, an organic-certified organization, issued a recall of its peanut butter due to an outbreak of salmonella.
References
- "Journal of Extension"; Consumer Knowledge and Perceptions about Organic Food; Carolyn Raab, et al.; August 2005
- International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements: Criticisms and Frequent Misconceptions about Organic Agriculture: The Counter-Arguments
- "The New York Times"; It's Organic, But Does That Mean It's Safer?; Kim Severson, et al.; March 2009
- Rodale Institute: Organic Price Report
- Georgia Department of Agriculture: Peanut Corporation of American Expands Recall
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