The idea that organic is better for the consumer and the environment is more of a mindset and not the truth. My purpose is to show the people who believe in organic products, that there are just as many down falls as conventional foods. Many people assume that organic foods are healthier, when in fact organic foods are more susceptible to carrying pathogenic bacteria, such as E. coli and salmonella. They also think that because organic farmers use natural pesticides rather than synthetic pesticides, it’s better for the environment. However, organic farmers are able to use a copper solution, which never leaves the soil, to fight fungal disease as where the conventional farmer use pesticides that are biodegradable.
We don't exactly know this for sure and that is why as consumers, we need to get the facts and evidence straight before we shop. Pseudoscience, like organic food, appeals to many audience due to the fact that their claims sound rational and sensible, when in fact is actually implausible and lacks scientific evidence and reasoning. The reason why people believe in pseudosciences like organic food is because it is said to lead towards a healthier life and environment, but there's no valid evidence that proves this is true. These misconceptions can effect the choices we make so as consumers, we need to be alert for "red flags" in order to avoid such fallacies. In "Here Be Dragons, An Introduction to Critical Thinking", Brian Dunning helps us distinguish and understand the dangers of pseudoscience by explaining the "red flags" to look out for.
There are many pros to becoming any type of vegan or vegetarian. Vegetarians usually don’t eat as much saturated fat and cholesterol. Also, vegetarians usually get proper dietary fibers, folic acid, potassium, magnesium and vitamins C and E. Because of this lifestyle they are more likely to have a lower body mass index, lower blood pressure, and lower cholesterol. These factors help reduce the risk of chronic diseases. Scientists discovered most vegetarians
There is no guarantee that raw ground beef or sprouts will be free of certain harmful bacteria. These foods provide a favorable environment for bacterial growth, whereas, the production process does not include a step to reduce these bacteria, such as cooking or pasteurization. For these foods, irradiation provides a bacteria-killing step. However, one association disagrees that the issue and claims that irradiation only covers up problems that the meat and poultry industry should solve, increasing the fecal contamination that results from speeded up slaughter and decreased federal inspection. Per Organic Consumers Association, Irradiation is a ‘magic bullet’ that will enable the company to say that the product was ‘clean’ when it left the packing plant.
The participants involved in this study were tested for pesticide levels. Pesticides can be absorbed into fruits and vegetables, and leave trace residues. Foods were tested for pesticide levels as well as bacterial contamination and Escherichia Coli contamination. The study shows that eating organic foods in place of conventional foods lacks strong evidence that organic foods are (Nordqvist, 2012) (Nordqvist, 2012)significantly more nutritional than the conventional foods. The study did however find that consumption of the organic foods may help reduce exposure to antibiotic resistant bacteria as well as pesticide residuals.
This inorganic fertilizer gives all the nutrients the plant needs to grow which causes the plant to grow more rapidly and produces the fruits and vegetables quickly. Even though this is less time consuming and less costly, it now has toxins within the fruit or vegetable. When the plant has reached maturity, it is vulnerable to predators that eat the “natural” foods. This is when the plants are protected by fenced in areas so animals such as deer, rodents, or anything else that is harmful to the plans. Growers that are not growing organic foods use pesticides and are the only toxic substances released intentionally into our environment to kill living things.
This is indeed a great accomplishment for our country; however what is the secret behind these companies success? The answer is simple; Make and sell cheap food products and end up getting enormous income! When companies use this method, the food that they are selling is not of best quality and is always unhealthy for the consumers. Michael Pollan a food expert says, “Cows are not designed by evolution to eat corn. They’re designed by evolution to eat grass.
Good parents have always worried about the health and development of their children and good vegan parents are no different. But according to Marilyn Sterling R.D. some vegan children may not be getting the vital nutrients they need to prosper. Many native vegetarian cuisines, such as those in India, gives us evidence that humans are naturally omnivorous and need meat to survive, reproduce and grow. Even though “traditional vegetarian diets, in places like India, regularly include dairy and eggs for complete healthy diet with protein, essential fats and vitamins” (Planck), that does not attest to the fact that an animal-free diet is unsafe, or even a bad idea for adults and older children.
This strategy is effective as the plants grow up to four times faster and seasonal crops can be harvested all year round. Also the surplus water can be recycled, which cuts use by 20%, and also the plants need fewer chemical pesticides as they are being grown indoors. However, as the plants are not grown in soil, the produce is bland and cannot produce true organic produce. Also the heated greenhouses and lights are wasteful and the greenhouses are an eyesore. An example of aquaponics, which is a combination of hydrophonics and aerophonics, in the UK is in Wakefield, West Yorkshire.
The American Dietary Association (ADA) claims that all foods can fit into a healthy diet when they are eaten in moderation and proportion. Although some foods undoubtedly have higher nutritional value than others, “no single food or type of food ensure good health, just as no single food or type of food is necessarily detrimental to health” (1). Nutrients, such as vitamin A, can be toxic in high levels, while “junk food” like dark chocolate can be beneficial if eaten in moderation. The ADA also states that even the title, Acceptable Macronutrient Distribution Ranges, clearly shows that there is no magical number, but instead many acceptable values, for daily intake of macronutrients. Suzanne Havala, who is actually an active ADA member, claims the “total diet” approach is too complex for the general public: “’people want specific advice about what they should and should not eat’” (1).