In recent years, in extreme opposition to GMO foods, there is a lot of talk about organic foods. In all supermarkets and even at the market it is possible to find organic fruit and vegetables and more and more often also butchers and restaurants boast dishes and cuts of meat from organic farms.
But what is organic and what are the differences compared to classic foods that are already extremely controlled in Italy? Let's find out together what are the characteristics and what organic product means, to understand why it sometimes costs more and what are the real advantages of organic foods.
What does organic mean
First of all, let's see what is meant by organic food or food that comes from organic farming. It is a production system that is more attentive to human health and respect for the environment.
This is possible by avoiding the use of chemicals such as pesticides, insecticides, herbicides, fungicides and by preferring natural fertilizers (including manure, organic compost, etc.), to ensure greater authenticity. The goal is the protection of man, soil, and biodiversity. Organic food can be defined as such if grown and produced according to natural methods as established by EEC Regulation 2092/91.
What does organic food mean?
To be defined as organic, a food must comply with a higher number of controls and is subject to particular labeling rules. The label must in fact be clear, legible, show the complete list of ingredients (usually shorter as more natural foods have fewer preservatives, flavorings, etc.), their precise origin, date of collection, and packaging.
Each organic product is checked and certified by independent third parties that carry out inspections to ensure the correctness of processing and the authenticity of the ingredients.
For example, Develey organic mayonnaise is made only with organic ingredients of the highest quality, for our well-being. Being prepared with oil instead of eggs helps to keep cholesterol under control and is also suitable for vegans, celiacs, lactose, or egg intolerant. In addition, egg-free mayonnaise is the perfect solution even if you are looking for light mayonnaise. We advise you to try it in combination with main courses of fish, meat, vegetables but above all vegetable burgers, based on legumes or vegetables .
In the same way, Develey organic ketchup contains only natural ingredients and is perfect for dipping delicious fries, perhaps fried with an air fryer, or in the oven playing with colors, bringing purple potato chips and carrots to the table. Good and healthy!
5 Advantages of organic food
As we have seen, organic farming, and therefore the organic foods derived from it, provide for greater genuineness of production cycles and more natural processing.
For this reason, a diet based on organic food allows many advantages, including:
- The introduction of organic foods into the diet allows for better blood quality, thanks to the high concentration of antioxidants contained in food and to a lower number of toxic substances to be disposed of;
- A lower environmental impact, through the exclusion of chemicals used for agriculture that would otherwise pollute
- Healthier animals, healthier foods, because the animals are fed with natural feed and excluding the use of hormones;
- Greater certainty in the genuineness of foods as organic foods are subjected to greater controls to obtain the brand and there are independent bodies that verify the correctness of what is declared on the label.
What is the difference between organic farming and biodynamic farming?
In addition to organic agriculture we often talk about biodynamics, let's analyze what are the differences and points in common.
' organic farming takes peasant ancient techniques such as green manure, which is to bury plants that enrich the soil after harvest, to restore vigor to the ground. As we have said, the use of pesticides is excluded and we prefer to use medicinal plants as natural insecticides instead.
Organic is not only about agriculture but also about animal husbandry. In this case, the use of antibiotics and hormones is avoided to have high-quality meat. Also banned are dyes, preservatives, additives. L ' biodynamic agriculture incorporates many principles of organic farming such as the prohibition of using chemicals and exaltation instead of natural products and techniques.
In addition to this, it tends to create an ideal world and hopes for a greater balance between the natural elements for the benefit of life. It descends from the theories of the philosopher Rudolf Steiner and provides for a lifestyle that creates a link between earth and sky, following the lunar phases for work in the fields and for rotation in cultivation.
Interesting right? There is more enjoyment in healthy eating!