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Food Column: Organic or Not Organic? That is the Question


By Valerie Molina

February 1, 2009

 

When America thinks about food it is rather difficult to point out exactly where she went wrong in her diet. According to the American Heart Association, more than 9 million children and adolescents between the ages of 6 and 19 are considered overweight. They have also stated in recent data that approximately 142 million Americans age 20 and older, are overweight or obese (BMI of 25 or above). This is not only startling information, but it is a serious issue that is spoken about often. Now we must consider whether genetically modified foods (GMOs) are harmful as opposed to what some consider healthy—anything organic. Is organic any better than food that doesn’t have the fancy label on it?

            According to an article titled, “Food Safety Battle: Organic Vs. Biotech,” supermarket shelves across the country will soon be stacked with genetically engineered foods. This is not only a scary thought but it is a sad reality that we must all face because organic farmers will soon be out of business. This controversy has sprung out of the larger issues we are facing which include health problems caused by obesity as well as the cancer epidemic that continues to take the lives of millions of Americans. According to writer, Kathy Koch, while “biotech companies gobble up the world's seed companies and re-engineer traditional organic pesticides, the unaltered seeds and pesticides needed by organic farmers may become scarce.” The monopolization that is occurring within our food system is not only going to affect us directly as consumers of food, but it will affect our children in the long run.

            Although the monopolization of our food system by companies who favor GMOs is occurring across the world, it is difficult to say whether anything labeled organic can be considered to be a healthy alternative. According to the article, “when the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) released proposed labeling standards for organic foods in December, 280,000 angry cards, letters and E-mails flooded the agency -- including letters from 255 members of Congress.” Not only does this prove that the labeling standards are faulty, but it reflects the lack of regulation on the government’s part. The article continues to discuss how “concern focused on whether the coveted ‘certified organic’ label should include genetically engineered foods or those irradiated or fertilized with sewage sludge.” This is exactly where the controversy stems from because the lack of regulation, and the loophole in labeling almost negates the thought of supermarkets ever selling anything healthy to begin with.

            Organic food advocates continue to support the farmers that refuse to use pesticides or chemical fertilizers on their crops, which it is evident since sales of organic foods products in the Unites States quadrupled from 1990 to 1997. Although this might seem like a positive change for America, they represent less than 1 percent of the $440 billion food industry, according to the Organic Trade Association. This controversy continues to haunt supermarket shoppers who find themselves confused. I mean, who wouldn’t be confused when the government says one thing and experts say something different?

            The ongoing battle between organic and genetically engineered foods will not end until either the government decides to strengthen the standards for organic labeling. This won’t even cut it, it will take a government intervention in which organic farmers are given the proper tools to continue their business. However, even after reading an article that dissected the issue from two perspectives, I too find myself confused as to whether organic or genetically modified foods are better.  

 

How do you feel about organic food? What are your thoughts on the ongoing controversy?

 

DRAFT: This module has unpublished changes.