HONEY MAE B. FABROA We assume! How much it will cost you? 36.75 pesos each 25.00 pesos each 294.00 pesos per kilo 200.00 pesos per kilo 5.00 pesos each 7.35 pesos each HOW MUCH IT COST YOU?? 25.00 pesos each 36.75 pesos each 294.00 pesos per kilo 200.00 pesos per kilo 5.00 pesos each 7.35 pesos each 338.10 pesos 108.10 230.00 pesos ORGANIC FOODS H.M. FABROA In 2015 Study Published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Science What is organic food? The term “organic” differs from country to country due to varying standards. ………..But the obvious difference is in the way they’re made! PROS-CONS OF ORGANIC FOODS 1. Organic foods are free of harmful pesticides, antibiotics, GMOs, and additives. -Pesticides are used to prevent damage from insects, rodents, weeds and fungus, and are designed to be toxic. -Conventional crops are 4 times as likely to have pesticide residues on them than organic crops (British Journal of Nutrition). -There are no long-term studies about the potential impacts of pesticide residue on human health, but, according to a recent study, there is growing evidence that concentrated pesticide exposure is related to increased rates of chronic diseases like diabetes, cancer, and Alzheimer’s. 1. Organic foods are free of harmful pesticides, antibiotics, GMOs, and additives. -Produce like avocados, sweet corn, and asparagus are the least likely to have pesticide residue (Environmental Working Group). -They also found that leafy greens and hot peppers are the most likely to be laced with especially toxic pesticides. -Pesticides are especially dangerous for children and pregnant women. One of the main reasons to buy organic food is to avoid possible exposure to pesticides 2. They have less of an environmental impact than conventional farming. -It’s well known that pollutants from agriculture cause widespread environmental damage. The United Nations says that in many agriculture areas, the groundwater is polluted with synthetic fertilizers and pesticides. Organic farming significantly reduces the risk of water pollution and also prevents damaging soil erosion. 3. The nutritional value is typically higher in organic foods. -According to this study made in 2014, organic crops have higher concentrations of antioxidants and other nutrients. Many of these antioxidants protect cells and reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease, Alzheimer’s disease and some cancers. -Organic milk has more than twice as much omega-3 fatty acid as non-organic milk, according to this recent study. This omega-3 fatty acid is also found in yogurt and cheese made with organic milk. The researchers believe the difference in nutrients is from the organic feed. -Organic meat and milk are richer in certain nutrients. Results of a 2016 European study show that levels of certain nutrients, including omega-3 fatty acids, were up to 50 percent higher in organic meat and milk than in conventionally raised versions. 4. Avoid GMOs and food additives. -Organic certification rules also ban or severely limit the use of food additives like preservatives, colorings, flavorings, MSG, and artificial sweeteners. 1. Organic foods are more expensive. -High prices are caused by high demand for organic produce combined with lower yields than conventionally farmed crops. Organic foods are also typically more expensive to produce because they often require more labor. 2. All foods, including organic, are prone to food-born illnesses like E. coli and salmonella. -Organic food in not necessary safer and has the same risk for food-borne bacteria (E.Coli, salmonella, listeria, and others) contamination as nonorganic foods. -In terms of the bacterial contamination, the difference is not statistically significant either. What is even surprising is that the prevalence of E.coli is higher in organic produce than its conventional counterparts, 7% and 6% respectively. Organic crops also have a 5% greater risk of being contaminated. This may have something to do with the use of manure as fertilizer. So clearly, organic foods don’t live up to the hype. 3. Organic fruits and vegetables have a shorter shelf life. -Organic fruits and vegetables spoil faster than their conventional analogues, because they are not treated with waxes and preservatives which are supposed to keep them on the shelves longer. -Because natural foods do not contain preservatives, they have shorter storage life and tend to spoil faster than conventional foods. If you have to buy them more than once or twice a week, you would have to double your grocery budget for food. In the end, you don’t get to save money. 4. Takes a lot of work -Organic farming may have benefits, but before anything can be harvested, farmers have to go through a lot of work and face plenty of challenges. Using manure as fertilizer, for example, is difficult to apply, and even more difficult to control the mineral content. Weeding, on the other hand, is more labor intensive than using herbicides, and when nitrogen-fixing plants are used as part of crop rotation, the area available for growing crops is reduced significantly. -Crop rotation is also one of the techniques that organic farmers use, which is beneficial since it reduces plant disease and minimize damage to soil composition. Unfortunately, this results in lower production and an inefficient method of growing different types of crops. 5. Not widely available -It takes twice as long to produce organic crops than the conventional kind. This means organic foods are not always available in stores, and especially because only a few local farms are adapting organic farming. Some communities, however, are luckier than others when it comes to supply of naturally grown foods. Is organic food more nutritious and better for your health? In 2009, 2012, and 2014 American Journal of Clinical Nutrition concluded that organic products don’t have any extra nutritional value in comparison with conventional one. Organic foods have higher phosphorous. Organic foods have lower level of cadmium and higher level of antioxidants. STANDARDS AND CERTIFICATION The Organic Guarantee System The organic guarantee system is a way by which consumers are assured that they obtain organically produced foods. 1. Producer's Guarantee - The producer (farmer, processor, or operator) gives the assurance to the consumers. This is applicable where the producer’s integrity is widely known to the consumers who usually live within the same locality as the producer. The producer’s guarantee is also sufficient when there is mutual understanding between producers and consumers such as in various versions of producer-consumer partnerships. There may be no popular term used for it but such patronage is a common practice in small towns and villages across Asia. 2. Third Party Certification - When the producer is unknown, certification is done by an independent body or a third party. The production system, the process or method instead of a product, is certified as organic. Thus, the “organic” quality is not verifiable by product testing although in some cases product testing can be used to detect non-compliance. The major activities in a certification program are: standards setting, inspection, and certification. List of Officially Accredited Organic Certifying Bodies Area Coverage: National/Nationwide Negros Island Certification Services, Inc. (NICERT) 3/F Provincial Capitol, Gatuslao Street, Bacolod City, Negros Occidental nicertph@yahoo.com; nicertph@gmail.com (+63) (37) 707-1434, (+63)995-149-0540, (+63)917-3203325 https://www.nicert.org Approved Scopes: 1. Crop Production 2. Processing 3. Aquaculture 4. Inputs Official Accreditation Issued on: 27 December 2018 Valid Until: 26 December 2023 Area Coverage: National/Nationwide OCCP-Inspection and Certification Services, Inc. (OCCP-ICSI) Unit 211 Eagle Court Condominium, 26 Matalino Street, Barangay Central, Quezon City info@occpphils.org, occp.vis@gmail.com (+632) 332-6728 https://www.occpphils.org/ Approved Scopes: 1. Crop Production 2. Animal Production 3. Special Products 4. Processing 5. Aquaculture 6. Inputs 7. Recognition of non-PNS organic certificates Official Accreditation Issued on: 11 July 2018 Valid Until: 10 July 2023 Area Coverage: National/Nationwide Control Union Philippines, Inc. (CUPI) Unit 1, 12/F, MDI Corporate Center, 10th Avenue corner 39th Street, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City vgcanedo@controlunion.com (02) 772-4051 / (02) 840-0807 https://certifications.controlunion.com/en Approved Scopes: Crop Production, and Processing Official Accreditation Issued on: 27 December 2019 Valid Until: 26 December 2024 And don’t forget – just because the package says “organic”, doesn’t mean it’s healthy. Carefully read food labels and do not buy organic food that is high in salt, sugar, or calories. Conclusion: Organic food certainly has many advantages, but it’s not all that perfect. Whether you are a consumer or farmer, it will bring pros and cons to your plate. REFERENCES: • http://lifeprovidr.com/food-and-nutrition/pros-cons-organic-foods/ • https://www.helpguide.org/articles/healthy-eating/organic-foods.htm • https://www.moneycrashers.com/organic-food-definition-benefits-cost/ • https://www.healthyoptions.com.ph/blog/organic-food-philippineshealthy-alternative-or-just-anotherfad?gclid=Cj0KCQiAkePyBRCEARIsAMy5SctAOMH2lO5aKc_ • http://www.bafps.da.gov.ph/2017-10-12-00-46-55/organicagriculture/accreditation-section/list-of-officially-accredited-organiccertifying-bodies
