With the development of technology, people's demands for food are also increasing, and more people are choosing "organic food". So, what exactly is organic food?
I. What is organic food?
Organic food refers to all agricultural products and their processed products, including grains, red dates, mushrooms, vegetables, fruits, dairy products, poultry and livestock products, honey, aquatic products, seasonings, etc., where the soil, environment, pesticides, fertilizers, hormones, etc., used in planting meet international or national organic food requirements and standards, and are certified by national organic food certification agencies.
II. What is the difference between "green", "pollution-free", and organic food?
1. "Green" agricultural products allow the use of pesticides and fertilizers in the planting and production process, but the regulations on usage and residue are usually stricter than "pollution-free" standards, limiting the use of pesticides, fertilizers, and growth hormones.
2. "Pollution-free" agricultural products allow the use of pesticides and fertilizers in the planting and production process, but cannot use high-toxicity, high-residue pesticides prohibited by the state, and do not restrict the use of growth hormones.
3. "Organic" agricultural products are more stringent than "green" and "pollution-free" in the planting and production process. The use of pesticides, fertilizers, and growth hormones is not allowed. Furthermore, the land must not have used pesticides, fertilizers, etc., for three years. Only when the soil and environment meet the standards can it be called organic.
III. Is organic food more nutritious?
1. There is no national data showing that organic food is more nutritious.
2. Research results on fruits and vegetables show no significant difference in nutrient content compared to conventional fruits and vegetables.
3. Organic milk has an increased content of omega-3 fatty acids, but at the same time, the content of trans fatty acids also increases.
IV. The benefits of organic food
1. It reduces the impact of pesticide, fertilizer, and growth hormone residues on the human body, allowing us to eat with greater peace of mind.
2. Animal-based foods avoid the impact of substances like clenbuterol, estrogen, and antibiotics on the human body. Although not a direct hazard, it must be admitted that these substances have a certain impact on the human body.
3. Better taste; some foods taste better and more flavorful than conventional ones. It is "possible" that organic foods have higher levels of phytochemicals than conventional foods, such as in vegetables and fruits.
V. How to choose organic food
1. Look at the moisture: For vegetables and fruits, organic vegetables usually do not appear as moist as conventional ones, but their flesh is firm.
2. Look at the color: The yolk of organic eggs is yellower.
3. Look for special identification:
(1) It must have an organic food certification mark, which is a logo with a green outer circle and an orange pattern in the center.
(2) It must be marked with a 17-digit organic certification code. The certification code on each organic food is unique and is issued to the enterprise by the organic food certification agency according to the quantity of the relevant product. The first 3 digits represent the name of the certification agency, the next 2 digits represent the year of issuance, and the subsequent digits are randomly generated.
(3) The certification code of a genuine organic product can be queried on the website of the "China Food and Agricultural Product Certification Information System". The correct certification code should display detailed information about the food, including the type of food, the certification agency, and the production year.
(4) The name of the certification agency must be included.
Overall, there is no significant difference in nutrition between organic and conventional food, but organic food is relatively safer and allows us to eat with more peace of mind, although the price is generally higher. Whether to choose organic food depends on the actual situation. As a nutritionist, setting aside the price, I still recommend organic food. On one hand, it reduces the harm of chemicals to the body; on the other hand, it saves the country expenses on pesticides, fertilizers, and hormones; and thirdly, it indirectly protects the natural ecological environment.