 This is exactly the question I asked when first learning about fruits and vegetables. Why Organic? Organic food differs from conventionally produced food in the way it is grown, handled and processed. In 2000, the USDA established a set of national standards for foods labeled "organic". Organic foods must be produced without using pesticides, fertilizers, growth hormones, antibiotics, bioengineering or ionizing radiation. All of which are used in conventional farming of fruits and vegetables. In 2005, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the National Academy of Sciences released a report with astonishing findings regarding the amounts of pesticides found in blood samples of children, ages two to four, and the potential effects these toxins have on their health. Concentrations of pesticide residue were six times higher in children eating conventionally farmed fruits and vegetables compared to those eating organic fruits and vegetables. At this time, over 400 chemicals are regularly used in conventional farming to kill insects and weeds. However, none of these chemicals are present in organic foods. In addition, over 300 synthetic food additives are allowed in conventional foods by the FDA and none are allowed in USDA certified organic foods.
Organic vs. NaturalFoods labeled "natural" are not the same as ones labeled "organic". However, natural foods can include organic foods. All USDA certified organic foods will be labeled ensuring that the strict requirements and regulations were met when producing organic foods.Organic simply means that the botanical product has been grown in a chemical-free environment. Natural means that the FINAL product has been made solely from botanical resources without any use of additives or preservatives - not neccessarily grown without chemicals. There are strict USDA guidelines and restrictions that must be followed to be labeled "organic" - there are no guidelines or restrictions for products labeled "natural" and this term can be used loosely. Organic Baby Grub is made with first-grade, USDA certified organic fruits and vegetables that are grown and distributed in the USA. (www.organicconsumers.org/organic/wic-faq.pdf)
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