With the current coronavirus crisis have appeared or accentuated new needs and trends of consumption looking for a world more sustainable. Although more and more people are consuming organic products, doubts may arise about them. We clarify it for you all about the organic product in this detailed article. Does consuming a product that is transported hundreds or thousands of km fulfill this characteristic? What aspects does the farming or organic farming in Europe? Is such a product the same in Europe that was? Find out all the answers here!
Organic agriculture and livestock
The ecological agriculture as the cultivation that is respectful with the the environment and it does not use synthetic chemicals. These elements cannot be used either as compost or as a treatment against pests. In this way, non-synthetic and natural products are used. biodegradable that allow to control insects, fungi ... Normally they are not so effective and ecological productions are less productive. The use of genetically modified varieties is not allowed in this type of practice either.
In the case of the organic farming For the production of meat, fish, milk, eggs or honey, techniques and procedures are followed to ensure the animal welfare. His diet is ecological origin, not using industrial food. They are not used either drugs thus avoiding residues in production and guaranteeing food safety.
European Certification
To find out all about the organic product you should know that they are also called organic or biological if they are certified and controlled by specialized entities. They are identified with a logo and their marketing is allowed with the words bio and eco. One of the important points of organic farming is the maintenance or increase of biodiversity in the environment. This is how the ecosystem is better respected and conserved. It also decreases the contamination from groundwater, from soils and even from the air.
The passage of the ecological agriculture it is a process slow and expensive, since the soil must be treated in a sustainable way for a few years. But during this period they cannot be marketed as such. This process is necessary to ensure the floor cleaning. However, the eco regulation does not say anything about transport. In this way, it is allowed to be transported thousands of kilometers producing a very important carbon footprint. There is also no eco plus product if it is marketed in its proximity to encourage this type of consumption.
All regulation of organic product is European, which means that out of Europe what is meant by echo can be differences. For example in United States An organic wine is not only one produced with organic grapes, but one that does not contain sulfites. In this way, we will find wines made from organic grapes but not considered organic.
Are organic products nutritionally better?
This is one of the most difficult answers to answer. In reality, there is no difference although there are arguments and studies to defend any position. Many of the studies such as La London School of Hygiene Tropical Medicine and el American Journal of American Nutrition claim there are no nutritional differences between organic or conventional cultivation.
However, studies from Stanford University conclude that, although there are no appreciable differences in the consumption of organic, this yes reduces exposure to waste of pesticides and antibiotic resistant bacteria. The study also indicates that organic products have lower levels of toxic heavy metals, such as cadmium, mercury, and lead.
It is actually difficult to conclude that there are differences and that these differences are dangerous, but reducing exposure to chemicals, antibiotics, or heavy metals over a long period of time can be beneficial.
What is biodynamic agriculture?
One more step inside the ecological agriculture is the call biodynamic. This differs from the ecological by having a holistic management taking into account agriculture and livestock as part of nature. In this agriculture special mineral and natural preparations are used. The month, astros and Energy of nature in general.
If biodynamic agriculture is one more step in the organic one, the integrated it is a previous step. That is, it allows you to use certain chemicals and treatments that the sustainable does not allow. Actually, chemical products can be used in a balanced and controlled way, although using methods as a priority. biological and natural.
Certifications of animal well-being
In the same way as with integrated agriculture, animal welfare certifications they want to get a little closer to the organic farming. Do not confuse this concept, since it is not organic milk, neither the feeding of the cattle is ecological. Yes, it must be recognized that it is a first step towards better handling and quality of the product.
Now, you know a little more about all about the organic product and the similar variants that can confuse you when reading them on food labels.
