Discovering a Healthier Lifestyle through Organic Products
All specialists in human diet and health care recognise and confirm the fact that our health is directly connected to the type and quality of foods we consume, "you are what you eat" being a popular maxim among health gurus of all kinds, and of all convictions. Organic food is a special area in human nutrition, which is worth considering for its health benefits.
Organic food is grown without using artificial chemicals or GM technology, and without any artificial additives being added during production and processing. To do this, organic farmers aim to produce good food from good, uncontaminated soil. They use crop rotation to make the soil more fertile, and make sure that the soil is not depleted of the necessary minerals and nutrients. They severely restrict the use of artificial chemical fertilisers, sprays and pesticides. Food additives linked to asthma and heart disease are among those banned.
Many organic products are grown in countries belonging to the Developing World, mainly in areas of outstanding beauty, where biodiversity is often dependent upon environmentally sensitive farming. Traditionally, organic farms are small and family-run. However, with an increased awareness, this trend is changing and larger farming enterprises are investing in organic farming as well.
Most consumers of organic products generally confirm that they buy organic products because they taste better. But considering the many benefits of eating organically-grown foods, one should go for organic for other reasons apart from the superior taste alone.
There is a host of reasons which should convince one to choose organic products. They are better for one's health because organic foods generally contain higher levels of vitamins and minerals and less chemical additives. Hence food is safer to humans, the enviroment is kept cleaner, there is less pollution and the natural habitats of local wildlife are preserved. Very importantly, when the soil is uncontaminated by chemicals, water remains uncontaminated too, which leads to pure, uncontaminated water in the water-table, pure water in reservoirs, pure water seeping down to the sea, and eventually clean and pure water in our taps at home.
Another factor to be considered is the lower level of carbon dioxide (a major greenhouse gas) allowed in a free state, in the atmosphere, when organic farming is practiced. Studies show that, while the yields in organic agriculture are on average about 20 percent lower than conventional ones, much less fertiliser and energy is required and practically no pesticides are used. Instead of relying on fertilisers and pesticides, organic farmers primarily use dung and manure coming from their own farms. This means that there are more organisms in the soil due to the lack of contamination. Organic soils are also distinguished by a greater diversity of species. These small animals and microbes bring about decomposition and use up carbon dioxide, fixing carbon in the soil and contributing to the soil acting as a more efficient sink for carbon dioxide. (see Bibliography)
Apart from directly controlling what goes into the soil, and on vegetable and fruits, organic producers make additional efforts to protect the environment. For example, the paper used to make teabags is not bleached. Also, organic farmers recycle anything they can and strive to keep waste to a minimum. Vegetable and plant waste is used to produce compost and contribute, together with animal waste, to making the soil in organic farms richer and more fertile. In this way chemical fertilisers are avoided and the soil is only treated naturally.
Denmark is the EU's leader in the consumption of organic products - as opposed to Malta which, unfortunately, comes in at the bottom of the list. Each Dane spends an average €80 a year on organic food. Organic beauty products and clothes also bring in their fair share of income for those prepared to invest in producing such innovative products. An official label for declaration of genuine organic food was introduced in Denmark as far back as 1987 and the sale of organic food grew by 33 % with a few years! The total turnover from all sales in the organic market, in 2007, was an impressive €680 million. As much as 6% of the total agricultural area in Denmark is farmed using organic methods. The organization Organic Denmark represents a total of 3,000 members (800 organic farmers, 100 organic companies, plus consumers). Exports to neighbouring countries also play a major role. The close proximity of Europe’s largest organic producer with Germany is an advantage here. The export range includes: fresh milk and cheese from cows and goats, beer, juices and chocolates.
One must be aware that the usage of the word natural in advertising, and on products, does not carry the same meaning as organic. Some companies, even here in Malta, try to confuse their clients. Most things can be described as "natural" ... but they are not necessarily organic. Some big companies produce one or two items which are organic while the rest of their produce is conventional and non-organic. Thus, one is advised to examine product labels carefully in search of those which clearly certify that a product is organically grown or produced. Certification comes from the UK Soil Association, USDA, Certifie Agriculture Biologique, Austria Bio, etc. Maltese products are certified by theMalta Organic Agriculture Movement, MOAM.
Unfortunately, in Malta, it is not as easy as it is in other countries to buy organic products, but in spite of this, the Gaia Foundation grows and sells organic vegetables in Ghajn Tuffieha; Gozo Cottageproducts are organic as well; major supermarkets, such as PAVI, offer many organic products in their Health Sections, including brands such as Clipper-teas, Alara, Landgarten, Kallo, Ecomil, Naturgreen;Arcadia Food Store has gone as far as introducing an Organic Section and last year, a shop which sells organic produce, and aptly named Organika saw the light of day in Victoria, Gozo. Marks and Spencersoffers something on a more original note, as it offers clothes made from organically-grown cotton and other natural fibres. All these offer some form of hope for those looking for organic labels in Malta.
Bibliography:
(Dr. Paul Mader, FiBL Switzerland).
http://www.gocarbonfree.com/global_warming/climate_change_research/forests_oceans_soil_sink.html
http://www.soil-net.com/legacy/schools/soil_climate1.htm
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