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O rganicsWhat does “organic” mean? This checklist from the CanadaOrganic Trade Association explains how organic foods are grownand produced:Organic foods are grown or produced without theuse of synthetic fertilizers, pesticides, antibioticsand growth hormones. Because of this, organic foodproduction is more environmentally friendly andsustainable than non-organic.Some people claim that organic food is healthierthan conventional, non-organic food, but this alldepends on how you define “healthy.” Nutritionwise,organic foods have the same vitamins,minerals, antioxidants, proteins, and other nutrientsas conventional foods. But they also have lowerpesticide levels, and organically raised animals areless likely to be contaminated with drug-resistantORGANIC No question about itOrganic claims are the only ones regulated by the Canadian government to meet the requirements belowGrown without toxic and persistent syntheticpesticides, herbicides, fungicides or fertilizersGrown without synthetic growthhormones or antibiotics 1Grown under humane animalstandards, including outdoor accessGrown without fossil fuel fertilizers(nitrogen) or sewage sludgeGrown without GMOs (genetically modifiedorganisms) or nantechnologyHow is your food grown?OrganicProducts “Natural” Local✔ ✘ ✘✔ ✘ ✘✔ ✘ ✘✔ ✘ ✘✔ ✘ ✘1 - Antibiotics are only allowed as a last resort when an animal’s life is in danger: milk is discarded for a minimum of 30 days; meant can never be sold as organicbacteria since organic farming has rules around theuse of antibiotics.In the long term, there is currently no directevidence that consuming an organic diet leads toimproved health or lower risk of disease. As Dr. JanetSilverstein, one of the authors of a recent AmericanAcademy of Pediatrics report on organic vs. nonorganicfoods, says: “What’s most important is thatchildren eat a healthy diet rich in fruits, vegetables,whole grains, and low-fat or fat-free dairy products,whether those are conventional or organic foods.This type of diet has proven health benefits. Manyfamilies have a limited food budget, and we do notwant families to choose to consume smaller amountsof more expensive organic foods and thus reducetheir overall intake of healthy foods like produce.”Choose organic foods if you prefer the way they aregrown and produced, and are willing to pay more forthem. Do not choose organic foods just because youthink they are more nutritious, as this has not beenproven.Source: Forman, J. and Silverstein, J. “OrganicFoods: Health and Environmental Advantages andDisadvantages.”Made without irradiated products oringredientsMade without artificial perservatives, colours,flavours or chemical additivesMade without monosodium glutamate (MSG),aspartame, sodium nitrates, etc.Made without geneticallymodified organismsHow is your food prepared?OrganicProducts “Natural” Local✔ ? ✘✔ ? ✘✔ ? ✘✔ ? ✘Brought to you by the Canada Organic Trade Association www.OrganicBiologique.ca22