Feeding Your Family in the 21st Century
To Go Organic or Not to Go Organic?

by Natasha A. Chin

So, what's the big fuss about "going organic" these days? Natasha A. Chin sinks her feet into the rich soil of information out there and gets to the bottom of the question.

The age-old belief that an apple a day is the perfect antidote to life's medical problems is becoming none other than what it rightfully is-old. These days, parents are worried about what is exactly in that prototypical apple, as concerns about genetically-engineered foods, and the use of chemicals and toxins on fruits and vegetables pervade the media's health coverage across the nation. As children go back to school this month, parents will be debating whether or not to convert their families into organic consumers. Which leads to a torrent of questions that need answers: Should we buy into the growing trend towards organic alternatives, or should we ignore the sudden craze that has been generated by both the public and the media? If we do stick to the foods we're currently eating, how will that affect our health? And, above all else, what does the term "organic" even mean?

The Canadian General Standards Board has defined a national standard for the term "organic" across Canada, with its definition encompassing the prohibition of genetically-engineered or modified organisms and the use of ionizing radiation on foods. However, the standard for organic production, farming and inspection varies from province to province, and even region to region between growers. This can leave the average urbanite even more confused than ever about whether to purchase organic fruits and vegetables in local produce stores, and if those organic choices are truly organic.

Here in B.C., the Certified Organic Associations of British Columbia (COABC), in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, has developed a strict standard for the certification and inspection of organic farms. Under this mandate, organic foods have been produced in ways that sustain the environment and the health of the individual through the protection of the soil, and the avoidance of synthetic inputs such as chemical pesticides, fertilizers and growth hormones. Look for the symbol or phrase that reads "British Columbia certified organic," which ensures that the organic foods you are buying have been produced according to government-regulated standards.

Kathleen Quinn, a registered dietitian at Vancouver's Dial-a-Dietitian, notes the increasing concern of consumers over the use of chemicals in the production of mainstream foods. "People are concerned about pesticides," she says, stating that parents can opt for organically-grown strawberries, apples, peaches and spinach for their children's meals, as put forth by the US Environmental Working Group. Daniel Henry, environmental activist and founder of Green Earth Organics, also believes that people are becoming more aware of what they are eating. Green Earth Organics started three years ago and operates as a home and office delivery service where customers can order organic produce via the web, with ten percent of the earnings going towards non-profit organizations such as A Loving Spoonful and Make a Wish Foundation.

Jennifer Sieberg, a registered holistic nutritionist at Green Earth Organics states that children, due to their size, are more vulnerable than adults to the pesticides, herbicides and toxins that preside in our conventional produce. Extensive research linking pesticides to carcinogenic effects in humans have been well established to support this claim. Although organic fruits and vegetables have a shorter shelf-life and a less perfect appearance than their mainstream counterparts, they contain more vitamins and nutrients, Sieberg states, citing recent studies conducted by the University of Copenhagen and the Organic Retailers and Growers Association of Australia (ORGAA). The fact that organic foods are more expensive may further deter people from buying. "It is pricier, but you're paying for value," says Sieberg. Trends towards organic alternatives have been fueled by our nation's fears about genetically-engineered (GE) foods. A recent NPD Group Canada survey found that eighty-five percent of the consumers polled wanted foods free of genetically-modified contents to be identified on labels to the public. Also, there are currently forty-eight genetically-engineered fruits and vegetables that are permitted for sale in Canada under the approval of Health Canada and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA). Although these genetically-enhanced strains allow for a longer shelf-life and protect against insects, the long-term effects of genetically-modified produce are being scrutinized by experts and consumers alike.

Genetic Engineering Alert (GE Alert), an independent group of researchers, scientists and academics, is dedicated to informing the Canadian public about the hazards of genetically-engineered foods. GE Alert is also critical of the standards by which Health Canada regulates the testing of its GE foods. To date, the federal government does not recognize mandatory labeling of GE foods, but this may change later this year. For now, all the hype over organics is more than just urban legends; it is a choice people can make about their lifestyles.

For more information on organic foods, call Dial-A-Dietitian at 732-9191 or email Green Earth Organics You can also visit Green Earth Organics US Environmental Group

For more information on government-approved GE foods, visit Health Canada For more information on Genetic Engineering Genetic Engineering Alert.