• Healthy
Soil & Water – Organic
standards require a program of soil building,
which protects against soil erosion and water pollution.
• No
Genetic Engineering – Organic
standards prohibit use of genetically modified
organisms (GMO'S) for seed or stock. Buying certified
organic is your guarantee
of no genetic engineering in your food.
• No
Growth Hormones – Organic
standards prohibit the use of growth hormones.
• No
Sludge – Organic
standards prohibit the use of sewage sludge as a fertilizer,
instead relying on the use of composted manure,
crop residues, green manures,
cover crops, and rock powders to provide needed nutrients
to plants. This
alleviates all concerns about contamination by high
levels of heavy minerals,
dioxins and other chemicals from industrial and commercial
sources.
• Open
Space – Organic
standards prohibit confinement or feedlot style
livestock operations.This promotes animal health and
contributes to maintaining
large areas of open land in otherwise developing communities
• No
Antibiotics – Organic
standards prohibit routine use of antibiotics in
livestock
operations. US government regulations permit conventional
animals to be
routinely fed sub therapeutic levels of antibiotics
to promote growth and prevent
disease from their overcrowded conditions.
• No
Irradiation – Organic
standards prohibit the use of ionizing radiation
to preserve food which can kill the enzymes, vitamins
and healthfulness of food.
• No
Pesticides – Organic
standards prohibit the use of synthetic pesticides,
exposure to which has been linked with a number of serious
human diseases.
• Humane
Conditions – Organic
standards require that animals be treated humanely. This
covers housing requirements for space, ventilation, and manure
accumulation,
as well as access to appropriate pasture or range, health
care, food and water,
treatment of the young, etc.
• No
Animal Cannibalism – Organic
standards require that animals be fed
appropriately and prohibit practices such as feeding
them animal bi-products
from rendering plants. This practice has been associated
with outbreaks of
"Mad Cow disease" in Europe.
• Be
part of the Solution – when
you purchase organic foods you are supporting
biological diversity, independent farms and investing
in the long-term
sustainability of our planet. Besides, just compare
organic foods natural,
wholesome taste to conventional foods and let your taste
buds decide.
Make the healthy choice for
your body and our planet…choose organic!
To learn more about organic products,
visit the Organic Trade Association web site at www.ota.com
* ©NOFA (Northeast Organic
Farming Association)
