The Definition Of Organic Food

How is the term “organic food” defined? What does it entail and does it vary in different countries and under different circumstances?

This article, which I first wrote and published on another website in 2008, explores the definition of organic food.

Definition of Organic Food

The critical importance of the definition of organic food is for the benefit of the consumer.

Along the path of its evolution, many people have had different ideas about what organic farming and organic food should be about. Essentially, though, the whole idea of “organic food” has several elements – environmental concerns, concerns with soil quality and fertility, and health issues being the key ones.

Consumers who purchase their organic produce from small local farmers are able to speak directly with the farmers as well as observe his farming practices.

However, with the growth in demand for organic foods, and for the benefit of consumers in cities, it became necessary to arrive at a compromise for an official definition of organic food, as well as for formal certification procedures to be put in place.

This is done to enable consumers to know and be confident about the quality standards under which organic foods are grown and produced; tellingly, any sort of definition of organic food accepted by farmers and food producers would not be very useful if it did not provide this information / certification to food buyers.

Definition of organic food – main elements

It has been generally accepted that organic farming and organic food definition must entail the following elements:

• Synthetic fertilizers must not be used. Instead, organic materials such as animal and plant wastes, compost, including crop residues, are used.

• The soil is kept fertile through the use of animal and plant waste; however, sewage sludge is strictly not allowed.

• Synthetic pesticides, herbicides, insecticides, fungicides, etc must not be used. Instead, natural means of pest control, for example by allowing organisms (e.g. ladybugs) which eat pests to thrive, are practiced. In fact, populations of these organisms are deliberately built up. Natural agents are also allowed, although in controlled amounts.

• Crop rotation is practiced. This helps to preserve and even enhance the quality of the soil, and also encourages a balanced and diversified ecosystem to thrive. It also helps in weed control.

• Cover crops are grown. Cover crops are used to restore nitrogen and organic matter into the soil.

• Genetic engineering and modification must not be involved – much of the dangers of GM are presently still unknown.

• Plant produce must not be irradiated. That process damages the food and makes it harmful to us.

• No chemical preservatives, flavorings or additives must be added to the foods.

Animals can be considered organically raised if the following conditions are met:

• They must be fed organic food, e.g. organic grains. Commercially farmed animals are often given unhealthy junk foods, including the remains of other animals, which are sometimes diseased.

• They must not be given artificial hormones, antibiotics, drugs, steroids, etc.

• They must be given access to open land, being able to attain fresh air and sunshine. Commercially farmed animals are raised in cramped and filthy conditions, with no access to the outdoors.

• Genetic engineering or modification must not be involved. No playing god.

• The meat and other animal food products must not be irradiated. As mentioned above, the process damages food and makes it harmful when consumed by humans.

• No chemical preservatives, flavorings or additives must be added to the meat.

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