Are Organic Foods Always Safer?
Organic foods are better for the environment and your health, right? Yes.
But… there’s always a but…
Are the foods you’re buying truly organic? You’ve got to be wary, and you might be surprised when you CHECK this out…
I once found the following foods labeled “ORGANIC” on the front, but in really small print on the back, it read: “Made in China.”
These foods are… (this is where you gasp!):
- Spinach
- Sugar snap peas
- Strawberries
- Eggs
- Peanut butter
No kidding — you’ve got to be careful when shopping for organic foods, as they might be more toxic than beneficial. Who would have thought!?
The Problem with Imported “Organic” Foods
Here’s why…
Many stores outsource their products from other countries. The problem? These countries often don’t ensure that “organic” products meet the same USDA health standards required in the United States.
Food manufacturers in the U.S. must meet the USDA’s strict criteria for how a product is grown, processed, and handled.
When you see “ORGANIC” on U.S. packaging, it generally means:
- No synthetic pesticides
- No genetically modified organisms (GMOs)
- No chemical additives
- Environmentally friendly farming methods
However, manufacturers from outside the U.S. don’t always follow the same protocols. Some misuse the “organic” label, and unfortunately, there’s little global oversight or enforcement.
Toxic Risks in International Organic Food
They may label it organic — but no one is actually inspecting or verifying this to be true.
Overuse of chemical pesticides, lack of crop rotation, and even the use of human waste as fertilizer have been reported in foreign farms. That alone creates a potential source of E. coli and other harmful bacteria.
In addition to biological risks, many of these farms rely on contaminated groundwater. According to some reports, an estimated 10% of groundwater in certain regions is contaminated with arsenic or lead. And it’s this same water being used to grow the crops ending up in our grocery stores.
What It Takes to Be Truly Organic
You may be wondering what it really takes to be considered organic…
To be certified as “ORGANIC” in the U.S., food must be:
“…produced using methods that do not involve modern synthetic inputs such as synthetic pesticides and chemical fertilizers, do not contain genetically modified organisms, and are not processed using irradiation, industrial solvents, or chemical food additives.”
So, when looking at food labels, don’t just check the Nutrition Facts or Ingredients. Also pay attention to where it’s from.
Don’t Let “Organic” Become a Hidden Health Risk
The toxins in the “organic” foods I mentioned — and other environmental factors — can become an undetected diet killer that hides in your system for years.
Remember the old adage:
You are what you eat — or become what you eat. In the long run, it may not just kill your diet… it could put your long-term health at serious risk. (Yes… there’s that “but” again.)
What You Can Do Next
The good news? It is possible to break this unhealthy cycle, clean out your body, and lose weight safely at the same time.
For help in that area, just give us a call.
I will be happy to be of great help — and you can also consult your Health Care Professional, Wellness Doctor, or Primary Physician for guidance.