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3rd rule: Buy Organic

 This is certainly a buzzword at the moment. “Organic” means that the produce is grown without pesticides or artificial fertilizers, thus maintaining the natural fertility of the soil and clean groundwater. In the case of dairy products, eggs and meat, it ensures that the animals are kept in decent conditions. Up until the 1950’s all food was organic because of the simple fact that pesticides were not invented yet and chemical fertilisers were too expensive.

Food produced from organic farming is healthy and usually of high quality. When buying, be aware of the differences between organic and conventionally farmed produce:

  • There can be blemishes on the product, because no pesticides have been used. These blemishes do not affect the quality or taste of the product.

  • Organic produce may be smaller.

  • It may have a stronger natural aroma.

  • It may have insect residues, which can be easily washed off.

Watch out for the following symbols, which guarantee the organic standard of the produce :

 

IOFGA

(Irish Organic Farmers and Growers Assoc.)

Organic Trust (Irish)                      Demeter (international)

                                                                                                               

 

Avoid genetically modified foods by choosing organic produce, which is guaranteed GMO-free.

·         GM-foods present a serious risk to our health and the environment, reduce genetic variety and make food production dependent on a few multinational companies.

·         Up to 70 % of processed conventionally produced food on our shop shelves could be genetically engineered. *

·         Soy beans and maize are the only genetically engineered products in Ireland, but are widely used in processed foods such as biscuits, soups, cakes, soft drinks, baked beans, ice-cream and chocolate and in cereals in the form of vegetable fats/oils, lecithin, modified starch and glucose. *

·         Cutting down on the amounts of processed foods you buy is another way of reducing your intake of probable GM ingredients.

 

 

*    As cited in the Genetic Concern leaflet 1999