Organic foods aren't necessarily pesticide-free. Pesticides that are allowed for organic food production are not usually man-made. They usually have natural substances such as soaps, lime sulfur and hydrogen peroxide as ingredients. As mentioned above, one of the main benefits of eating organic foods is lower levels of pesticides.
However, despite popular belief, organic farms do use pesticides. The difference is that they only use naturally occurring pesticides, rather than the synthetic pesticides used on conventional commercial farms. Natural pesticides are thought to be less toxic, however, some have been found to have health risks. That said, your exposure to harmful pesticides is likely to be lower when you eat organic foods.
Contrary to popular belief, organic farming does use pesticides. More than one hundred fertilizers and inputs (pesticides, insecticides or fungicides) are authorized by organic farming regulations in Europe and the United States. Organic versus pesticide-free What people often think when buying and consuming organic food is that they don't really contain pesticides. You might find that buying cheaper cuts of meat from organically raised animals allows you to eat organic food without breaking your food budget.
While many organic producers strive to use fewer pesticides in general, according to the guiding principles of organic agriculture, it would be inaccurate to describe organic foods as pesticide-free. The Department of Agriculture (USDA), which certifies organic farms, requires organic farmers to emphasize prevention over treatment, focusing on pest control measures such as insect traps, careful selection of disease-resistant varieties of certain crops, and the use of insects predators and microorganisms to help control pests that can damage certain crops. I am in favor of organic farming practices and am encouraged that, through advances in understanding and technology, certain methods of food production are being used outside traditional organic farms. Most pesticides used in organic agriculture are natural (or non-synthetic), which the USDA defines as substances that have been produced or extracted from a natural source, such as plants or other living organisms.
Organic livestock raised for meat, eggs and dairy products must be raised under living conditions that adapt to their natural behaviors (such as the ability to graze on pastures) and be fed with organic feed and fodder. But my scientific mind, background, and training require me to explain that the idea that organic products are not treated with pesticides is actually a common myth about organic foods. Some local smallholder farmers use organic methods, but they may not be able to afford to obtain organic certification. Organic foods often have more beneficial nutrients, such as antioxidants, than their conventionally grown counterparts, and people with allergies to foods, chemicals, or preservatives may see their symptoms diminish or disappear when they eat only organic foods.
Organic doesn't mean pesticide-free. The bottom line is that organically produced fruits and vegetables may not be pesticide-free. Even with best agricultural practices, it is difficult to control all potential pest problems in food production. It's no secret that both organic and conventional farmers use pesticides, but for the most part, organic growers use natural pesticides instead of synthetic chemicals. Image credits for healthy organic food in Shutterstock, organic farming in Shutterstock, pesticide cultivation in Shutterstock and organic food in Shutterstock.
Even though even organic products rely on pesticides, eating organic products is likely to expose you to fewer pesticides in your diet. .
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