What the H*ll Does "Organic" Really Mean?
What does “organic” really mean? What if someone can’t afford organic products or doesn’t have access? Is organic really worth it?
Many environmental activists (usually white) justify spending more on organic products with a guilt trip: Isn’t it worth the extra expense if it’s better for the planet? This kind of thinking can result in a shame spiral, especially for lower income communities. Every purchase becomes a no-nuance test of one’s ethics. As with most situations, sustainability is just not that simple. Let’s take a trip down the organic rabbit hole and explore some of the complexities:
Full disclosure, this is a huge and complex issue that would be impossible to cover in one piece. This is to just dip your toes in the, maybe not so metaphorical, murky water of the subject.
Defining “Organic”
TL;DR: “Organic” describes produce that was grown without synthetic fertilizers and pesticides.
So, what makes organic different? According to the USDA, “organic producers rely on natural substances and physical, mechanical, or biologically based farming methods to the fullest extent possible.” Basically, to be certified organic, you need to avoid most synthetic fertilizers and pesticides (there is a list of such substances, though, approved for organic use).
Not only are these synthetics barred from use during grow periods, but the land must be free of them for at least three years prior to harvest. Also, the organic certification doesn’t allow GMOs and if an organic food is processed, it’s prohibited “from containing artificial preservatives, colors, or flavors and require that their ingredients are organic, with some minor exceptions.” Meat has other criteria, namely farmers can’t give animals antibiotics or hormones for their meat to be organic. The USDA doesn’t certify seafood, so that organic sticker on your Salmon fillet is bull(shark).
Honestly, the way in which food produced organically is othered into a separate category (there’s farming and then there’s organic farming) is a crime. For a majority of human history, we didn’t have any synthetics to apply to farming. Imagine the cultural shift if synthetic free food was just food, and everything else was labeled “inorganic.” Instead, we have a system that paints food produced with synthetic fertilizer and pesticides as conventional and organic food as a luxury.
Is Organic Healthier?
TL;DR: Is organic food healthier for the environment? Yes and no.
Organic farms are shown to increase soil health and have 30% more biodiversity than conventional farms on average. Huge win, but organic farms may still grow monocultures. While sticking to a single crop reduces biodiversity, it increases the potential for catastrophic shortages too, (remember the Potato Famine?). Aside from all that doom and gloom, growing a single species of food is also just boring. Give me ~variety~ or give me death (literally).
Another major concern with farming is run-off. When plants don’t absorb all the nutrients from fertilizer, namely nitrogen, rainwater will carry it into our water system. Dead zones in the Gulf of Mexico, for instance, are due largely in part to agricultural run-off. Nitrogen isn’t unique to synthetic fertilizer and organic farming may result in just as much making its way into our waterways. Lastly, organic agriculture often requires more land to produce the same amount of food which is a growing concern as food needs only rise with our increasing population. *cough* Maybe everyone should convert their lawns to gardens. *cough*
Photo: That Curly Top on Instagram
Nutritionally, organic and inorganic foods are about the same. The main health benefit is derived from lower exposure to pesticides. According to a paper in the National Library of Medicine, “the numerous negative health effects that have been associated with chemical pesticides include, among other effects, dermatological, gastrointestinal, neurological, carcinogenic, respiratory, reproductive, and endocrine effects.” Which is really a long winded way of saying chemical pesticides can f with almost all parts of your body.
Pesticides and their residue are found everywhere. Cleaning and peeling produce doesn’t rid the food of this residue. While pesticide use is regulated based upon health information, these regulations often don’t take synergistic exposure into account. Synergistic exposure refers to “the effect caused when exposure to two or more chemicals at one time results in health effects that are greater than the sum of the effects of the individual chemicals.” Additionally, as with most everything, people with pre-existing conditions are more at risk to adverse health effects.
The Big Picture
TL;DR: While eating organic can help us avoid harmful chemicals, rules for organic certification don’t guarantee health benefits for people or the planet.
This begs the question of accessibility. Price and physical access mean it’s difficult for lower income communities to purchase organic food. “People who live in areas of concentrated poverty have limited access to grocery stores that stock fresh fruits and vegetables. Researchers have found, for example, that African American neighborhoods have a high concentration of fast food chains, but a low concentration of supermarkets” (Martinez, 2020).
With less access to nutritious food and healthcare, low income communities are more likely to have health issues, creating a sinister cycle where these communities (often Black and Brown) are also at higher risk for negative effects caused by pesticides.
You don’t have to ingest pesticides to see negative health outcomes. Exposure through the air or skin contact is another concern. Farm workers are at high risk due to high exposure.
While organic farming significantly reduces contact with synthetic pesticides, organic chemicals can have severe health effects as well.
While sulfur (sometimes used in organic ag) is natural, it’s known to be a respiratory irritant in high concentrations. Additionally, organic certifications do not require safe working conditions or fair wages.
Ultimately, the label “organic” is misleading. Rules for organic certification don’t guarantee health benefits for people or the planet; they don’t even guarantee a lack of synthetics. Cost and location also restrict who has access. While organic food can sometimes be “worth it” in avoiding harmful chemicals, there may be better alternatives.
Alternatives To Buying Organic
TL;DR: Buy local!
If you have access, buying local food can solve many of organic’s issues. Getting organic certifications can be expensive, so farmers near you may use environmentally mindful practices even without that label. In communicating with local farmers you can learn about their practices and the way they treat their employees to make informed decisions regarding where your money goes. Buying local minimizes greenhouse emissions due to transportation, fosters relationships, and keeps resources in the community.
As with most of society’s flaws, I believe the overarching solution is community. So in terms of food, I’d recommend looking to local farmers and community gardens first (if you have access). Then, consider organic food at the grocery store if you can afford it. Organic food is in no way a comprehensive or holistic solve. The jury is still out on whether it’s even “better.” Ignore organic’s greenwashed “one solution fits all” approach. While I’ll probably stick to that organic label for foods that may contain more pesticides, I won’t be feeling guilty for eating “conventionally” grown produce.
Citations Linked Here
Guest Contribution By: Kales Boucher