Recently, it has become popular to run the so-called healthy lifestyle. An increasing part of society attaches great importance to diet. Polish consumers assume that organic farming is there to provide “healthy food.” Is it so? How is organic food different from conventional?
One sign of growing awareness of the significant impact on the health of the quality of what we eat is that consumers are increasingly turning to the nutritional products that seem best for their bodies. Research shows that 63% of Poles are interested in the composition of their food. This has a significant impact on shaping the food market because the expectations of their quality are growing. One of the responses to the changing market situation is organic farming. It adheres to high standards of production methods to meet the demands of consumers who prefer products made with natural substances and by biological processes.
What is organic food?
Organic food is produced on farms that produce it according to strictly defined rules. It is subject to control at every stage: production, storage, processing, and distribution. Food production takes place there under the principles of caring for the environment, especially water and soil, and maintaining the genetic diversity of plants and animals. No synthetic pesticides or mineral fertilizers are used; only natural organic (compost, manure), green fertilizers, and biological plant protection products are allowed. The breeding of animals has been carried out without hormones, genetically modified organisms (GMOs), and products made with their participation.
What ensures that the product is eco?
The EU logo (a leaf with a star on a green background) must appear on the packaging of a certified organic product. It is also worth reading the labels because the organic food producer is obliged to provide the identification number of the entity that controls it and issues the certificate.
Why is it worth buying organic food?
The production of organic food is good for the environment. The use of natural fertilizers positively affects the quality of the soil and protects the microorganisms living in the cultivated areas. The use of natural fertilizers – apart from caring for the richness of life in the ground – also improves its structure, increases water capacity, and prevents erosion. Organic farming supports the ecosystem, so by buying organic products, we can be sure that we contribute to protecting the natural environment.
Due to natural production methods, organic food is characterized by a balanced content of nutrients. The processing of organic products is limited to the minimum necessary and is carried out using biological, mechanical, and physical methods.
There is a belief that food from organic farms generally exceeds the nutritional value and content of bioactive compounds in conventional products. Many scientific studies show that it has a higher range of antioxidant compounds. It can be assumed that the systematic consumption of such products will become one of the ways to reduce the incidence of diet-related diseases and improve general health.
Organic farmers must look after the welfare of the animals. The ecological husbandry system meets their basic needs in nutrition, environmental conditions, and the necessary living space. Mutilation is not allowed and ensures proper transport conditions and humane slaughter. The animals are kept so that they can live and develop in situations that are as stress-free as possible and adapted to their needs.
Poles are becoming more and more aware of the importance of proper nutrition and the quality and method of producing products for our health and well-being. There is a widespread belief that “healthy food” is organic food. It is worth recalling that we can be sure of the ecological origin of the product only if it has a certificate issued by an authorized certification body. The distinctive green stamp guarantees quality, and therefore it is worth looking for it when doing everyday shopping.