Flora Zhu's Blog

Vancouver is all about the healthy, organic lifestyle. If you walk down Kitsilano, you will be greeted with Whole foods, organic markets, out-door gears, sports equipment stores and vegan restaurants all directed towards the health-conscious consumer. Now imagine their surprise when they hear that their $5 overpriced organic apples  contains the toxic side effects as a $0.59 conventional apple from Superstore. As you would expect… not very impressed.

(http://thegluten-freeagency.com/blog/can-it-still-be-organic-if-the-food-has-been-enhanced/)

The Organic food industry is a 50 billion dollar market. When individuals refer to organic, they refer to the method of how the fruit, potatoes (etc) are farmed. Within the USA, foods containing a minimum of 70% organic material can be deemed as “made with organic material” (source: mayoclinic). However to be claimed as organic, it must be contain 95% organic material.

So, what exactly does one produce an ‘organic product’?

According to producer.com there have been misleading information and labels given to the agriculture practice. The usages of copper, and sulfur compounds are used in the organic industry. Although these compounds are deemed as “organic” they contain similar toxic side-effects as pesticides. Artificial hormones given to an animal that does not exceed the level of their natural hormonal production is also deemed as ‘natural’ and organic.

After this much effort is put into producing an ‘organic product’, this brings us to the key question: Are organic products healthier and more nutritious than a conventionally farmed product? The answer: “not so clear yet.” According to a 50 year study, researchers have discovered that organically farmed foods and conventionally produced foods are “comparable in their nutrient content.“(source: mayoclinc)

Despite the lack of research to support organic foods, many individuals still prefer to purchase foods labelled as organic over conventional food ideas. In the end, it is dependant on the consumer’s perceived value of the product. If they truly believe that the organic food will be more nutritious and beneficial for their body, they will be more willing to fork over more time, effort and money to purchase these goods. As for me, after reading these articles, I am starting to become skeptical if my $5 soy milk from Whole Foods is better than the $3 conventionally produced soy milk from Superstore.