Did you Know Virtually Everything is "Organic"? Organic Means it Contains a Carbon Atom - That's Every Plant, Woman and Child!!!

[Flicker]

Where Science Meets the Supermarket:

Did you ever wonder what the word "organic" actually means? It means that something contains carbon - every plant woman and child contains carbon! There is virtually nothing that isn't organic. Not only that, but we actually need inorganics to survive, like water (H2O, not a carbon atom to be found in water, but we need it). When I mentioned this fact to an "organic" farmer, he asked me to join his business LOL!

Last I checked, there was no federally regulated use of the word "organic" on any food, prescription/OTC or beverage product. I'm not saying you shouldn't buy "organically" labeled products, its just that you already do! Its definitely something to think about. Does anyone think that the rainwater that falls on organic crops is actually monitored to remove contaminants? Trust me when I tell you that the organic potato fields are not being treated to an Evian water sprinkling system. Try telling that to an organic coupon snob!

Its definitely something to think about!

flicker :whistle67:

What do science and shopping have in common: usually nothing, and that's the way I like it (guess I proved myself wrong today)

[lmcconne]

I amuse myself by remembering that poo is organic.

[foggierbard9]

Organic Essentials (http://greenliving.about.com/od/basics/a/OrganicBasics.htm)


Whether a product is intended for consumption or not, it must pass the exact same inspection requirements in order to be deemed ‘organic.’ For a product to have organic integrity it must be farmed in a way that maintains and replenishes soil fertility without the use of toxic pesticides and/or fertilizers, and it must also be produced without the use of antibiotics, synthetic hormones, irradiation, sewage sludge, or other excluded practices. More specifically, organic foods should be processed with minimal amounts of artificial ingredients and preservatives so they reach the consumer as naturally as possible.


The FDA has set up standards as to what must be done in order for something to be labeled as organic.



Since the term has so many legal implications, the USDA has designed the “USDA Organic” seal to symbolize organic production as well as very specific guidelines for using the seal. Though manufacturers do not have to specify whether a product is organic or not, they usually choose to do so, in which case the following requirements must be followed:

Products that are completely organic, containing only organically produced ingredients, may specify “100% Organic” on the label and can carry the “USDA Organic” seal.
Products that are made from at least 95% organic ingredients and have remaining ingredients allowed for use in organic products may also carry the “USDA Organic” seal.
Products that contain between 70% and 95% organically produced ingredients may NOT bear the “USDA Organic” seal, but they can list which ingredients are organic on the ingredients listing.

[Kristen.C]

I really don't think it's fair to judge or label someone as a snob based on the products they prefer to buy. How would you like it if someone formed an incorrect opinion about you based solely on the items in your shopping cart?

I'm assuming you probably don't know that HCW's owners also run a site called Organic Grocery Deals. I can assure you that no one at OGD is snobby. Especially in such tough economic times, our members are just as concerned about saving money as the members here at Hot Coupon World.

If you're interested in learning more, please feel free to come check us out. If not, that's okay too. Foggierbard9 has shared some of the information that's also available at our site regarding the laws and regulation regarding organic produce. For anyone interested, you can click the link in my signature or visit Organic Grocery Deals (http://www.organicgrocerydeals.com)

[nsbarlow]

Thanks for the link to the organic grocery deals! We decided to cut out organics to save money. Right now we are just eating as much fresh fruits and vegetables as possible. Earlier in the summer we were eating a lot of local, but we cut back on that too. Next summer that will be my goal to make eating local produce a priority. By then I should have my grocery bill where I want it to be.

I think cutting out pesticides is a good thing. I'm happy to see that a lot of the milk we buy does not have added growth hormones anymore even though it is not organic.

[beth119]

Op..

huh?

[mnnice]

Where Science Meets the Supermarket:

Did you ever wonder what the word "organic" actually means? It means that something contains carbon - every plant woman and child contains carbon! There is virtually nothing that isn't organic. Not only that, but we actually need inorganics to survive, like water (H2O, not a carbon atom to be found in water, but we need it). When I mentioned this fact to an "organic" farmer, he asked me to join his business LOL!

Last I checked, there was no federally regulated use of the word "organic" on any food, prescription/OTC or beverage product. I'm not saying you shouldn't buy "organically" labeled products, its just that you already do! Its definitely something to think about. Does anyone think that the rainwater that falls on organic crops is actually monitored to remove contaminants? Trust me when I tell you that the organic potato fields are not being treated to an Evian water sprinkling system. Try telling that to an organic coupon snob!

Its definitely something to think about!

flicker :whistle67:

What do science and shopping have in common: usually nothing, and that's the way I like it (guess I proved myself wrong today)

Use of the word Organic is federally regulated and last time I checked lots of words have multiple meanings:wink7:

I am not going to delude myself that organic lollypops are health food and I still think a convential, had the crap sprayed out of it apple it a better choice for my children organic candy.

I also am not going to stick my head in the sand and pretend that spraying known cancer causing chemicals on my food is good for me or the rest of the planet and will gladly pay more food that is produced in a directionally more sound and planet sustaining way. If I'm a snob because I buy things labeled organic and I would rather eat beans than meat from a CAFO then so be it. :biggrin:

[Flicker]

I think what I said was that unless you are in an analytical lab, that virtually nothing is 100% organic since even carbon compounds contain inorganic elements like hydrogen, eg., CH3CH2CH3. I am referring to the scientific definition of organic.

The FDA is full of it. You are free to believe what you want.

Does anyone think organic farms are watered with Evian vs actual rain?

The scientist is in!
flicker :whistle67:

[Flicker]

DISCLAIMER: The original post aforementioned is not intended for sensitive readers, readers who are prone to burst into tears or individuals who may be in tears themselves for whatever reason. Reader discretion is advised.

[mnnice]

I think what I said was that unless you are in an analytical lab, that virtually nothing is 100% organic since even carbon compounds contain inorganic elements like hydrogen, eg., CH3CH2CH3. I am referring to the scientific definition of organic.

The FDA is full of it. You are free to believe what you want.

Does anyone think organic farms are watered with Evian vs actual rain?

The scientist is in!
flicker :whistle67:

From a chemistry stand point aren't all things that have carbon are organic regardless of what other elements are present?:shrug7:

I agree that the FDA is extremely weak and allows all sorts of nasty crap to be sprayed on crops for decades after it has been shown to be harmful to human (and other animals health). I will gladly take the contaminates that fall from the sky and skip the junk delibrately sprayed on at high concentrations. Until I get to the point that I can grow all my own food or buy it known local producers I'll view the USDA organic seal as a helpful tool.

And BTW just because I disagree with you doesn't make me thin-skinned or excessively sensitive. I just would like the opportunity to let others know that maybe you don't know what you are talking about.

[jujubee]

You’re right – science should stay out of the food business. Nature in and of itself has sustained life for 2-billion years. And it’ll continue to sustain it as long as we get back to the basics of eating whole & natural foods produced by the earth and not a scientist in a lab.

Organic in its most basic term does imply the properties that make something what it is, sure. But organic labeling on food – well, that’s something entirely different. It’s not fair to discuss the former topic and then to throw the latter in just for grins and giggles – they don’t go hand in hand lest you get the masses all riled up; which I presume you already realize or you wouldn’t have added your disclaimer.

Is all food organic? Scientifically speaking, yes. Is all food grown in an organic manner? Absolutely not. I don’t need a scientist to tell me that, my health speaks for itself.

When comparing organically labeled foods vs non-organic foods it’s just as important to ask yourself, “What ISN”T in this food?” What are missing from organically labeled foods are harsh chemicals & pesticides that harm you and the earth, artificial sweeteners produced in a lab, or yucky preservatives and dyes better left in a chemical plant - plus a lot more crud most folks can’t pronounce from conventional food product labels much less wrap their heads around. Am I a snob for not wanting to ingest those (as you would say) organic additives? Call me what you will.