What is "Organic?"
The difference between natural and organic
Organic food production is different from another food trend: agricultural biotechnology. The UDSA defines agricultural biotechnology as "a collection of scientific techniques, including genetic engineering, that are used to create, improve, or modify plants, animals, and microorganisms." Biotechnology supporters claim that altering foods enhances the natural benefits of the product. Some scientists believe that genetically modified foods have the potential to contain more nutrients than their natural equivalent and will bear more food, thereby increasing the worldwide food supply. The USDA also suggests that genetically altered plants will eliminate the need for dangerous pesticides by being programmed to kill pests themselves.
Organic Labeling
It's hard to say exactly what organic means right now because currently, the U.S. government doesn't regulate the label "organic." But the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has recently organized a National Organic Program "to develop and implement national standards that govern the marketing of agricultural products as organically produced, to facilitate commerce in fresh and processed food that is organically produced, and ensure consumers that such products meet consistent standards." Regulating what foods can be termed "organic" will help consumers to understand how organic products are different from their nonorganic counterparts, and increase awareness of potential benefits and drawbacks.
