So, what's the deal with organic products? Very simply, organic farmers grow fruits and vegetables without using synthetic fertilizers and pesticides. Organic meat, poultry, eggs and dairy products come from animals raised on organic feed with no antibiotics, growth hormones or animal byproducts. These animals also have access to fresh air and exercise.
So, who calls the shots on what is labeled organic? The U.S. Department of Agriculture oversees the National Organic Program, which regulates how these foods are grown, handled and processed. There are some smaller farms that practice organic farming but don't go through the government certification process because of the expense.
Many times, organic fruits and vegetables may look less "perfect" and even smaller than their regular grocery-store counterparts because there are no additives or preservatives.
According to the Environmental Working Group, produce with the highest amount of pesticides are apples, bell peppers, carrots, celery, cherries, grapes, kale, lettuce, nectarines, peaches, pears and strawberries.
Produce with the lowest amounts of pesticides include asparagus, avacado, broccoli, cabbage, corn, eggplant, kiwi, mango, onion, papaya, peas, pineapple, sweet potatoes, tomatoes and watermelon.
Hopefully, this simple explanation will help you to make healthier decisions on buying foods.
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