Contents
What Is Organic Food?
Organic vs. Nonorganic: Understanding the Issues
Organic Produce
Organic Grains
Organic Beans, Nuts, and Oils
Organic Dairy Products, Eggs, and Soy Products
Organic Meat
Organic Fish
Organic Processed Foods
Organic Coffee
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Organic Meat
The issue of organic versus nonorganic meat is most closely tied to animal welfare issues, although there are some health considerations as well.
Health Considerations
- Livestock disease: For decades, farmers have fed livestock corn and soybeans because they encourage rapid weight gain. Many cows also used to be fed rendered animal parts (dehydrated bits of animals) until 1997, when it was found that this dietary supplement may have contributed to the mad cow disease outbreak. Many conventional livestock producers feed their cows manure, which studies suggest may increase rates of Crohn’s disease in humans. Organic regulations prohibit the use of both rendered animal parts and manure in livestock feed and require that all animals be fed a wholly organic diet.
- Pesticide residues: Though most livestock eat conventionally grown corn and soybeans (organic livestock eat an organic-only diet), the USDA has found very little evidence of currently approved pesticide residues in beef samples. However, all products containing fats are prone to picking up airborne pesticide residues, and beef is no exception. Organic and nonorganic beef products are equally susceptible to airborne residues.
- Antibiotics: Conventional beef cattle, chickens, and pigs are often given antibiotics to prevent illness and stimulate growth. Organic advocates argue that such liberal use of antibiotics encourages the growth of drug-resistant bacteria that will make these antibiotics less effective over time. There is no conclusive evidence of any immediate health risks to humans associated with antibiotic use, but many cattle producers are bowing to negative publicity and restricting their use of them.
- Hormones: The USDA prohibits the use of hormones in chickens and pigs but permits the use of six hormones in beef cattle to promote growth and reduce feed requirements. Some studies suggest that even the trace levels of hormones that remain in beef products disrupt the human endocrine balance and can increase rates of obesity, infertility, and certain cancers. These claims remain unsubstantiated, however. The use of growth hormones is prohibited in organic beef cattle.
- Parasiticides: Conventionally raised cattle are given synthetic parasiticides to control the growth of parasites in and on cows. Organic producers mostly treat their cattle with nonsynthetic alternatives. One synthetic parasiticide (ivermectin) is permitted for use on organic dairy cows but not on organic beef cattle.
- Pathogens: All meat is susceptible to the growth of food-borne bacteria such as E. coli, salmonella, and campylocbacter. Meat products are most vulnerable to these pathogens when they are processed in unsanitary facilities or stored improperly. Organic meat processing facilities have better records for cleanliness than conventional facilities, but they are not fail-safe. Buy meat from reputable sources only.
Environmental Considerations
All livestock release methane—a dangerous greenhouse gas—into the atmosphere as a bodily function. Some studies have estimated that livestock are responsible for 15%
to 20% of worldwide methane emissions. Neither organic living conditions nor organic diets effects cows’ methane emission levels, so the most effective way to address this issue is to consider reducing your consumption of meat.
Between manure and the many gallons of water used to clean barns and feedlots, the amount of animal waste that the livestock industry produces is staggering. Though manure is often later used as fertilizer, producers are rarely able to use it all. If not stored properly, animal wastes can contaminate water supplies. Most organic producers operate small enough farms that they are able to convert or process all of their animal waste. As the organic food industry continues to grow, however, organic producers will begin to face more animal waste problems.
Animal Welfare Considerations
As with dairy farms, animal welfare on livestock farms is closely tied to farm size. The smaller the farm, the better the living conditions are for most livestock.
The NOP’s regulations don’t address animal welfare directly, and many of the stipulations that they do include regarding animals’ lives have significant loopholes. Organic farmers, for example, must provide animals access to the outdoors but are also entitled to deny animals these conditions temporarily in the event of poor weather or when production schedules interfere. Nonetheless, most organic beef producers operate small farms that generally provide animals with a higher quality of life. Organic chickens and pigs also tend to live better lives than their conventionally raised counterparts.
Recommendations
- If health issues are your chief concern: So far, there are no proven health benefits to eating organic meats.
- If environmental issues are your chief concern: You should choose organic meat.
- If animal welfare issues are your chief concern: You should choose organic meat.
- If you’re concerned about hormones and antibiotics: You should choose organic meat.
- If you’re on a tight food budget: Seek out small nonorganic livestock producers, since there’s a greater likelihood that they run environmentally responsible operations and treat their animals reasonably well.
Where to Buy Organic Meat
- Supermarkets
- Local butchers
- Health food and natural food stores
- Food cooperatives
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