By Raymond Tran
Copy Editor
Imagine walking into a grocery to buy some eggs and then being faced with a dilemma: to buy organic or non-organic. Consumers should consider buying organic food over non-organic because of the positive effects they have on both someone’s health and the environment.
According to the USDA, organic food is “grown without synthetic pesticides, synthetic fertilizers or genetically modified organisms.” The use of these chemicals has been linked to different negative health effects, from neurodegenerative diseases to birth defects.
Certain pesticides used still persist on food even after they have been washed, so consumers are ingesting these harmful chemicals if they by non-organic, explained Environmental Working Group, an activist group that aims to empower people to live healthier lives in a healthier environment.
Furthermore, the antibiotics given to animals have negative effects on public health because these drugs allow for antibiotic-resistant bacteria to evolve. By choosing to buy organic foods, the amount of chemicals consumed is reduced drastically, avoiding any health problems that could arise from eating meat contaminated with the evolved bacteria.
The Center for Disease Control and Prevention noted, “Infections from common antibiotic-resistant foodborne bacteria, such as salmonella, can cause more severe health outcomes than infections with bacteria that are not resistant to antibiotics.”
From a larger point of view, the production of organic food is less damaging to the environment, therefore, consumers should support organic farms that are being environmentally conscious. According to Organic, It’s Worth It, an organization that promotes organic methods of farming, the pesticides that farmers use to ward away unwanted pests ultimately runoff and contaminate nearby waterways.
Non-organic farming techniques also degrade the soil. Since most non-organic farms do not practice sustainable agriculture, when methods such as monocropping and turning the soil after every growing season are used, the land gets worn out. This results in the soil becoming more susceptible to erosion and the decline in its nutrient content, according to Andree Friedland and Rick Relyea, authors of “Environmental Science for AP,” the AP Environmental Science Textbook used at Gabrielino High School.
Buying organic food might be more expensive than non-organic, but the price can managed by prioritizing purchases based on the type of food one consumes.
Consumers can start by learning more about the organic process and which foods have the highest effect on the health of an individual and the environment as a whole. For example, they can buy organic fruits only when the skin of the fruit is eaten to limit pesticide and chemical ingestion. Consumers can also keep a lookout for coupons, sales, and which foods are in season can also greatly assist in the transition to eating organic.
Although organic food is generally more expensive than non-organic, the benefits outweigh the cost. Whether it’s buying milk for cereal or picking out a steak for dinner, looking for the organic option at the local grocery store ensures the best for the health of oneself and the health of the environment.
