More and more foods are being labelled ‘organic’. The hype says that organic foods are more healthy than non-organic. And they’re definitely more expensive. But what does ‘organic’ really mean? For food to be described as organic it must have been produced without the use of chemical fertilisers and pesticides and from animals reared in humane conditions without the use of growth stimulants and antibiotics. All fertiliser or feed used in organic food production is therefore comes from plants or animals that have not been exposed to synthetic chemicals or drugs. Organic farmers must be registered with, and certified by, one of several certification bodies such as the Soil Association. These bodies ensure that the farmers understand the relevant laws and have the infrastructure to abide by them. Labelling For a product to be labelled organic, at least 95% of its weight must be made up of organic ingredients. The other 5% of ingredients can be from a list of specified foods which includes products which are unavailable in an organic form such as salt and water. Organic foods are prohibited from containing any genetically modified food. Why so expensive? As organic farmers don't use synthetic chemicals or drugs, their methods of farming are more costly. This in turn means that organic food is more expensive than food produced by conventional modern methods. But many people choose to pay the extra money, believing that organic farming is kinder to the environment and wildlife, and that organic food tastes better. Organic food is becoming increasingly popular. At present approximately 3% of all food sales in the UK are for organic food and this figure is expected to rise in the next few years… Go back