10 Reasons for choosing to buy organic food

Ten good reasons for choosing organic produce.

1.  IT IS HEALTHY
Research continues to show that essential vitamins and minerals are higher in many organic foods. On average, organic food contains higher levels of vitamin C and essential minerals such as magnesium, iron and chromium as well as cancer fighting antioxidants. Both US and UK Government statistics indicate that levels of trace elements and minerals in fruit and vegetables fell by up to 76% between 1949 and 1991.

2. NO NASTY ADDITIVES
Organic food doesn’t contain food additives, which can cause health problems such as heart disease, asthma, osteoporosis, migraines, food allergies and hyperactivity. Among the additives banned by organic regulations are hydrogenated fats, aspartame and monosodium glutamate and all artificial colourings, flavourings and sweeteners

3. AVOIDS PESTICIDES
More than 400 chemical pesticides are routinely used in conventional farming. Residues of these pesticides are regularly found in a high percentage of fruit and vegetables, and in 2004 the European Commission stated that a risk to human health cannot be ruled out anymore.

4. NO GM

Genetically modified organisms or crops are not allowed under organic standards.

5.  RELIANCE ON DRUGS REMOVED
There is growing concern about the high use of antibiotics on farm animals and the possible risk to health. Organic standards prohibit the routine use of antibiotics.

6. NO HIDDEN COSTS
Compare this with the millions that tax payers fork out for removing chemicals from drinking water. This is mainly as a result of the pesticides and fertilizers used in conventional farming.

7. HIGH STANDARDS
Organic food comes from trusted sources. All organic farms and food companies are inspected at least once a year to establish the compliance with the Irish and European regulations.

8. CARE FOR ANIMALS
Animal welfare is a crucial and integral part of organic standards.
The benefits of the organic approach are acknowledged by animal welfare organisations such as Compassion in World Farming.

9. GOOD FOR WILDLIFE
Research has shown that organic farming is better for wildlife, creates less pollution from sprays and produces less of the global warming gas carbon dioxide.

10. TOP FOR TASTE
Many people choose organic food because they say it tastes better.

Additionally - in more detail!
· Organic produce is not covered in a cocktail of poisonous chemicals. The average conventionally grown apple has 20-30 artificial poisons on its skin, even after rinsing. Trust your instincts and go organic!

· Fresh organic produce contains an average of 50% more vitamins, minerals, enzymes and other micro-nutrients than intensively farmed produce. Science says that it’s good for you.

· Going organic is the only practical way to avoid eating genetically modified (GM) food. And by buying organic food, you are registering your mistrust of GMOs and doing your bit to protest against them. Don’t believe the backlash - developing countries do not want GM food because they know that Monsanto’s most successful product is mustard gas. And the biggest departments in all of the GM corporations are working on terminator technology. This means that the farmers will not be able to save seeds from their crops - they will be forced to buy new seed from the GM corporations every season. And farmers in developing countries cannot afford to get into that which is why farmers in India burned down Monsanto and Zeneca’s head offices last year.

· If you eat dairy or meat products, going organic has never been more essential to safeguard you and your family’s health. Intensively-reared dairy cows and farm animals are fed a dangerous cocktail of antibiotics, hormones, anti-parasite drugs and many other medicines on a daily basis, whether they have an illness or not. These drugs are passed directly on to the consumers of their dairy produce or meat which must be a contributory factor to meat-related diseases like coronaries and high blood pressure.

· About 99% of non-organic farm animals are now fed GM soya. Common sense says that organic is safe food.

· Organic produce simply tastes so much better. Fruit and vegetables brim full of juice and flavour, and so many varieties to try! There are about 100 different kinds of organic potatoes in production and that’s just potatoes!

· Organic farms support and nurture our beautiful and diverse wildlife. Over the past thirty years, intensive farming has led to a dramatic erosion of the soil and a fall of up to 70% of wild birds in some areas, plus the destruction of ancient hedgerows, and near extinction of some of the most beautiful species of butterflies, frogs, grass snakes and wild mammals.

· Organic food is not much more expensive than intensively farmed food as we pay for conventional foods through our taxes. We spend billions every year on cleaning up the mess that agro-chemicals make to natural water supplies and add to that the cost of the BSE crisis! Go organic for a genuine more cost-effective future.

· Intensive farming can seriously damage farm workers’ health. There are higher instances of cancer, respiratory problems and other major diseases in farm workers from non-organic farms. This is particularly true in developing countries, for example on some agrochemical farms growing cotton.

· And if you simply like the idea of your children and grandchildren being able to visit the countryside and play in the forests and fields just as you did when you were young, go organic for the sake of all their futures!