Disadvantages Of Organic Foods

Introduction:

Researching organic foods and whether they are better than conventional and genetically modified foods. What does the term “Organic” mean?

It simply means that the produce is grown without the use of pesticides, synthetic fertilisers, genetic modification or ionising radiation.

With animals it means that those animals do not ingest any grown hormones or antibiotics.

Organic foods are produced by organic farmers who emphasise the use of renewable resources and the conservation of soil and water to promote environmental quality for future generations.

Before any food can be called “organic” a government-approved certifier inspects the farm where the products are grown or produces to ensure that the farmer is following all necessary

However the natural toxins that organic plants produce to rid itself of pests could also be harmful to people, other concerns are that the manure used to fertilise organic crops could cause contamination leading to diseases such as E. coli.

However there is little evidence that organic crops contain any form of contamination as they are tested and certified. Advantages and disadvantages of organic foods:

Advantages:

1. Organic foods help prevent certain diseases such as strokes, cancer and other heart diseases since research has shown that organic produce contains approximately 40% more anti-oxidants than non-organic produce.

2. Organically producing foods helps prevent environmental pollution since no chemicals that cause environmental damage are used in producing organic foods.

3. Organic farming helps conserve water and the soil.

4. Organic foods have good taste and increased nutritious value comparing to conventional foods.

5. Organic foods have a better effect on animal reproduction than conventional foods (which could cause infertility due to the chemicals in the food).

6. Organic foods help control or even lose unnecessary body

Organic foods do not last as long as conventional of GM foods as they do not contain preservatives.

3. There is a limited supply of organic foods in some areas.

Differences between Organic, Conventional and Genetically Modified foods:

Organic Foods Conventional Foods GM Foods

Produced without any pesticides, synthetic fertilisers or growth hormones. Produced using pesticides, synthetic fertilisers and growth hormones. Genetically modified to survive without the use of pesticides etc.

Does not last very long as no preservatives are used. Preservatives are used to keep the product “fresh” for longer. The product is genetically modified to remain fresh for a longer period of time without the use of preservatives.

The nutritional value is higher than that of conventional foods. Nutritional value could be affected by the use of pesticides. The nutrients in the product can be genetically modified, i.e. nutrients added or removed.

The crop yields are smaller as no pesticides are used to get rid of pests. Large crop yields since pests are dealt with using pesticides. Large crop yields as plants are genetically modified to survive against pests and sometimes other types of plants are formed