"johny b" > wrote in message
oups.com...
> I've recently been trying to eat mostly organic food for a healthier
> diet. Here in NJ we have Wholefoods and health shoppe (i'm sure there
> are many more, i just haven't found them out yet). Upon researching on
> the internet, there seems to be many debates as to what is considered
> and sold as organic at stores. Some claims have been made that the
> USDA allows some pesticides to be used yet still be labled as organic.
> I would just like to hear some opinions as to how much healthier the
> food in these stores which claim to be organic really is. Is this a
> hoax etc.? Any information regardling what to look for and what to
> lookout for, or any valuable details is most appreciated. Thanks!
>

To be labeled organic, food must meet certain FDA guidelines. See
http://www.ams.usda.gov/nop/Q&A.html for some information. I do not know al
the details, but for example the land that a crop is grown on must not have
had pesticides or artificial fertilizers applied for a certain number of
years. Also, organic animal products must come from animals fed organic
feed. Producers have to be certified as "organic producers" by an
FDA-accredited agency to use the term organic. This does not mean some do
not cheat, but as is often the case you have to trust the label because what
choice do you have?

I would not get too excited about the health benefits of eating organic. The
worries that exposure to really small amounts of pesticides will cause
health porblems have been shown to be false. Organic production is
definitely good for the environment, though, and that alone is a good
reasoon to eat organic when possible.

Peter Aitken