Going for organic food

Eating healthy should always be a priority and no doubt the trend towards organic food is fast picking up despite the heavier pricing. What is organic food, really? Is not fresh food good enough? Is it really so essential for our lifestyle today, especially when there's a recession all over the world?

These are just a few questions that come to mind as you try to decide between the Dh15 a kg organic tomato on one hand and its locally produced Dh8 a kg cousin on the other.

Never lacking

Due to its own efforts in agriculture and excellent connection with the rest of the world, the UAE is a country where there's no shortage of natural, fresh produce — organic or conventional — the year around. Even locally produced organic food is quite easily available in major stores.

"In the Middle East, people are not much aware about organic food," feels Dana Ghareeb, a licensed dietitian with Kuwait-based Al Yasra Food Group, who deals with conventional and organic foodstuff.

"People are definitely more aware here than in Kuwait. Most have at least heard about organic food, even though they wouldn't know why they need to pay more and other details. But they are getting there slowly."

Unwind met Ghareeb at the Gulf Food exhibition last month, where she explained how and why the trend is changing towards organic food.

"We know organic food is that which is produced using no pesticides, hormones, colours, flavours or additives. It's the non-chemical way of producing food. If we don't use chemicals, the farmland will be more sustainable and can produce more in the long term, whereas in conventional farming, it may stop producing sooner. Organic farming is thus green, environment-friendly and promises food security," Ghareeb says. "I see the organic movement becoming popular in the next decade, especially with the dairy. I see people taking it on as a lifestyle change."

But there's no substantial scientific data to prove that organic food is healthier. Moreover, there are many who feel it is nothing but a highly priced and overrated concept.

"Maybe yes but as a dietitian, I feel, at least for children, it's very necessary. There has been a lot of research from top universities in the world that shows pesticides can alter the normal growth of a foetus or a child, often proving fatal. As for the price, there will be time when this would be used on a day-to-day basis. Our products have been created keeping this in mind — we provide competitive products at a reasonable price. If it's not affordable, we aren't helping consumers. Like the age-old rule of supply and demand, the more people start buying organic goods, the more the prices will go down."

But studies have shown that organic food contains at least one third of the chemical residues found in conventional food and it has been established that the amount of chemicals in conventional food is less than EPA set levels. At the same time, organic food contains more natural toxins. So aren't even the smaller doses harmful over a period of time?

"What organic food uses is natural manure, usually from cow dung," Ghareeb says.

But wouldn't that contain bacteria, such as E. coli? "Well, the manure is from organically fed cows and this crosses out the possibility of E. coli and other bacteria, because what they are eating is all natural too. But having said that, there is a possibility, though it is extremely reduced," Ghareeb adds.

Tough target

Ghareeb tries to keep the intake organic as far as possible. But how can one be sure what they are buying is organic?

"It's hard to be 100 per cent organic because not everything is available. But in what's available, I think the most important things are the carbohydrates [such as breakfast cereal], fruits and vegetables and dairy products. All organic food comes with a certification," Ghareeb explains. "There are various international organisations such as the International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements, Soil Association in UK, US Department of Agriculture, etc.

Strict rules

Each part of the world has its own organic food organisation that sets strict rules for organic farming and certification. A certificate from one of them is probably the only way to know whether what you are consuming is organic. Unfortunately, there isn't any in the Middle East, though, hopefully, we'll have one soon. Moreover, cereals are basically grains and can last long without processing otherwise also. Some things do have preservatives but to be called organic, a product needs only 95 per cent ingredients to be organic and other 5 per cent can be non-organic as long as they are approved by the certifying body in the region.

"Organic is not just fresh. What makes the difference is whether it's organic fresh or conventional fresh.

"Fresh food can still have the chemicals and pesticides used in farming it. People shouldn't just get turned off by the price and realise they are getting better benefits in the long run with organic food. They may be paying more now but this will help reduce costs, such as medical expenses. As this is much healthier, you'll fall sick a lot less. So it's a total lifestyle change."

As a vegan friend recently said, whether it is organic or non-organic chicken, it's still unhealthy for you. Both are dead and you are simply paying much more for the organic one. The best thing to do in this never-ending confusion is to leave the choice to the individual.

What is organic?

The following definition of "organic" was passed by the National Organics Standards Board (NOSB)/US Department of Agriculture (USDA), in 1995.

II "Organic agriculture is an ecological production-management system that promotes and enhances biodiversity, biological cycles and soil biological activity. It is based on minimal use of off-farm inputs and on management practices that restore, maintain and enhance ecological harmony."

II "Organic" is a labelling term that denotes products produced under the authority of the Organic Foods Production Act. The guidelines for organic production are to use materials and practices that enhance the ecological balance of natural systems and that integrate the parts of the farming system into an ecological whole.

II Organic agriculture practices cannot ensure that products are free of residues; however, methods are used to minimise pollution from air, soil and water. Organic food handlers, processors and retailers adhere to standards that maintain the integrity of organic agricultural products. The goal of organic agriculture is to optimise the health and productivity of interdependent communities of soil life, plants, animals and people.

Myths:

There is little evidence to prove organic food is healthier. These are myths people tend to believe:

II It's healthier: It has been said that organic produce has more minerals and vitamins. The difference in nutrients is dependent on the shelf life of the produce.

II It makes food taste better: There's no evidence that either method of farming gives a different taste. The best would be to buy fresh local produce and that which is in season.

II It's environment-friendly: Organic farming may not contaminate soil and ground water as much as conventional farming but it requires more land to produce the same amount of food. Research shows that modern techniques, due to their high yield, have saved millions of square miles of wildlife habitat.

II It doesn't need thorough cleaning: All produce, whether bought from the farm or the supermarket shelf, is susceptible to bacteria. E.coli can easily be produced through animal excreta, whether organically or non-organically farmed. A thorough washing is definitely needed.

II It's better for you: Not if it's organic chips, soda or cookies. Sugar, whether brown or white, is sugar. Fried is still fried, even if it's organic potatoes.

It is said that organic food contains 50 per cent more nutrients, minerals and vitamins. Some research shows organic dairy products are better, as the cows are pasture-grazed, which results in better quality of milk.

Benefits of organic food

Organic food believers advocate:

II It's healthier: These are produced without using chemical fertilisers and pesticides.

II It makes food taste better: Fruits and vegetables and grains have a higher content of vitamins C and E and antioxidants. Dairy has more omega 3 and vitamin E, because the animals receive organic feed.

II It's more humane: Animal welfare is important, especially in production of organic milk, meat, poultry and fish farming. Organic meat does not have any animal by-product in its feed, which is the main cause of mad cow disease. Nor are cows injected with hormones and antibiotics to produce more milk.

II It is environment-friendly: Ajitha Nayar, an education and awareness officer at the Emirates Wildlife Society, WWF, says that though in this part of the world, it isn't an easy project to grow organic food, organic farming leaves less chemical residue, thus polluting the soil and ground water much lesser than conventional farming. "Though the research, in terms of the nutritional value of organic food, is debatable, on the whole, farming with natural compost is definitely healthier."