Organic vs. Non-organic foods

You’re standing in front of the produce section of your local supermarket and reading the labels intently. In one hand you are holding a conventionally grown carrot. In the other, there’s one that is labeled ‘organically grown’. Both carrots look healthy, a deep orange and both provide fiber, vitamins and minerals. Now picture me at the supermarket. Which one do I pick? The conventionally grown carrot costs less and this is what I normally eat at home. But the organic carrot has a label that says “USDA Organic.” Does that mean it’s better? Safer? More nutritious? Several differences between organic and non-organic foods exist. I use to be unclear on this until I did some research.

Here are other differences between conventional farming and organic farming:
Conventional farmers
Apply chemical fertilizers to promote plant growth.
Spray insecticides to reduce pests and disease.
Use chemical herbicides to manage weeds.
Give animals antibiotics, growth hormones and medications to prevent disease and spur growth.

Organic farmers
Apply natural fertilizers, such as manure or compost, to feed soil and plants.
Use beneficial insects and birds, mating disruption or traps to reduce pests and disease.
Rotate crops, till, hand weed or mulch to manage weeds.
Give animals organic feed and allow them access to the outdoors. Use preventive measures — such as rotational grazing, a balanced diet and clean housing — to help minimize disease.

Wow! Just by looking at the facts it looks easy to decide right? But after researching further I found that many reliable medical sources, Mayo Clinic included, have shown that there is no REAL PROVEN benefit in eating organic.

Consider these factors:

* Nutrition. No conclusive evidence shows that organic food is more nutritious than is conventionally grown food. And the USDA — even though it certifies organic food — doesn’t claim that these products are safer or more nutritious.

* Quality and appearance. Organic foods meet the same quality and safety standards as conventional foods. The difference lies in how the food is produced, processed and handled.

* Pesticides. Conventional growers use pesticides to protect their crops from molds, insects and diseases. When farmers spray pesticides, this can leave residue on produce. Some people buy organic food to limit their exposure to these residues. Most experts agree, however, that the amount of pesticides found on fruits and vegetables poses a very small health risk. Washing your produce properly can eliminate this small threat almost completely.

* Taste. Some people say they can taste the difference between organic and nonorganic food. Others say they find no difference. Taste is a subjective and personal consideration, so decide for yourself. But whether you buy organic or not, finding the freshest foods available may have the biggest impact on taste.

Hah! So my dear readers. What is your take on eating Organic? Is it really all that much better or are you mostly satisfied with picking the freshest, conventionally grown produce?

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sakana salad with organic veges and rich in omega-3 organic norwegian salmon – RM16.90
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organic pumpkin soup – RM5.90

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green goddess salad – organic of course (!), with free range eggs RM17.90

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country chicken goulash with free range chicken and brown organic rice – RM17.90

DSC02909Country Farm special salad with sushi rolls, organic soy protein and organic extra virgin olive oil – RM15.90

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note the unusual color of the sushi imparted by the brown organic rice!

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Add:
Country Farm Organics,
LG7, Lower Ground Floor,
Bangsar Village 1,
Bangsar Baru,
Kuala Lumpur
Tel : 03 – 2284 2094
(Pork Free Restaurant)

34 Comments

  • SimpleGirl says:

    i am great fan of organic products….true enough, the veg esp U can really taste the difference compare to the non-organic ones

    • cumi&ciki says:

      really? i cannot taste the difference except that the cooking method that accompanies it at Country Farm is light and easy on the sodium. taste a bit TOO healthy for my liking.. haha.. but that’s just me!

  • ladyironchef says:

    haha i always can’t tell the difference between organic and non-organic :p

  • Not everything that is organic is assumed to be better for consumption, so one should research further before spending that hard earned cash. I still do quite a bit of my shopping at the organic counters though. 🙂

  • foodbin says:

    for me whatever that are fresh is the best!

  • keropokman says:

    Things like celery and carrots, I don’t bother to go with organic. They are way way way too expensive!

    Eg: A stalk of non organic celery cost usually SGD1.20-2.50 depending on season. The Organic ones by “Earthbound Farm” brand cost SGD6!!

    But for apples, since I eat them just like that, i buy the organic ones, I eat apples with skin, so I don’t want to be eating pesticides 😉

    Organic stuff is getting cheaper though. The local supermarket where I live now stocks all kinds of fruits, vegetables and other stuff.

    • cumi&ciki says:

      yar good point. the difference in price is just crazy. That day we saw just ONE passionfruit that cost like RM30 or something? totally bizarre. But organic eggs, i like! LOL

  • Sean says:

    i had an “organic” phase once, when i bought organic fruits, cereals, nuts, etc. but then got lazy.
    i like this place cos prices are really reasonable for the quantity! though taste-wise, errmm… 😀

    • cumi&ciki says:

      haha! man after my own heart. The food was really healthy and I KNEW i was putting the good stuff into my body.. but… gimme regular food any day la..

  • Huai Bin says:

    Hmm…I’m tempted to say that eating organic and non-GE foods are something tree huggers and vegans do (though the two are commonly the very same group). 😉

    However, I do enjoy eating organic food too, if only for the health benefits. It sounds healthy.

  • ToyGirl says:

    I love eating at Country Farm. Makes me feel like I’m giving my body a rest from all the processed high sodium high sugar food that we take everyday. I don’t really buy organic food. Too expensive. BUT I buy lots of organic or natural-ingredients products for my face, hair and body.

  • ai wei says:

    me always can’t differentiate between the org and non-org food. will buy org stuff sometimes but it always costs a bomb.

  • Without going into the technical aspects of these greenies :mrgreen: ( since we are no experts ), we can safely say organic food is better if compared apple to apple but as they say to be healthy is a total process , not just by eating alone !
    How about the mental aspects ( happiness or stressed etc ) and the other 9 hurdles of life ( to achieve the 110m hurdles without falling? )
    Haha 👿

  • Carmen says:

    eat organic for better health!!!

    yes!! i dont know why but i just love them even though i have to pay extra a lil!

  • mimid3vils says:

    I always thought organic food only include vegetables & fruits 😛

  • eiling says:

    We sometimes have to scrutinise that where is this source of organic products coming from and just how do we know whether it’s really organic or not. Some shops can just claim that they sell organic produce but who is there to prove it?

  • There’s organic pork too..but for me, as long as the food is not too salty and oily (my first consideration) i tend to enjoy it better. Freshness is important of course, but not necessarily organic.

  • joe joe says:

    organic seems to be the smarter but more expensive choice but its only expensive because the food is not mass produced. Fresh? Poo can be fresh but is it nutrionally valuable? I Don’t know what’s wrong with some peoples taste buds but I can taste and feel the difference b etween organic and non-organic

  • Nicklas says:

    Just by reading the top portion , common sense dictates ORGANIC, Mayo Clinic Doc’s who are hip, and with it buy only organic products. If more people demand it!!The price will -drop!
    99% of products in the average grocery store are laced with chemical residue. They said DDT was great for all, it waz later found to cause environmental disaster!!!Those too young<<<RESEARCH DDT! Peace!!!N

  • Zenobia Aneshansley says:

    it is still better to adhere on organic farming because the fruits and vegetables does not contain those harmful chemicals.’;”

  • Elizabeth King says:

    organic farms could actually save us from carcinogens and toxins`;`

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