"Sheldon" > wrote in message
ups.com...
>
> johny b wrote:
>> 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.
>
> Organic Foods is a belief system (a religion if you will), if you
> believe it's organic then it is... but in the US there is no government
> Standard.

See http://tinyurl.com/3m22m for specifications for USDA organic
regulations. There are very specific rules for legally labeling food as
organic. It includes certification, permissible farming methods, and
testing. There are some pesticides permitted in organic agriculture.
However, they are of the type that have a very short half-life and are used
by a very small percentage of organic farmers. Organic agriculture isn't
just about the use of fertilizers, it's also about responsible use of the
land and water.

> If you drive an automobile, use airplanes, ride
> a bus, go on steamship cruises, or engage in using any petrol driven
> devices and think Organic Foods is based in reality then you are a
> hypocrite.

Not me, I admit that my car is not organic.

> But I'd not be too concerned with Organic (for those with
> more dollars than brain cells), the human body is quite remarkable at
> surviving.

You should read more about the high incidence of cancer among the American
population. Much of it is attributed to the use of pesticides, fertilizers,
growth hormones, steroids, and other chemicals used in the production of our
food.

> The only thing organic about the organic produce section is
> that it's bull shit... expensive bull shit.

When's the last time you shopped for organic food? Try visiting Whole Foods
or another natural food store and compare prices with what you buy in your
usual grocery store. You will be surprised to find that most items are
comparable in cost, and sometimes even lower.