What is Organic?

First of all, what is organic?

Organic foods are foods that are produced using methods of organic and bio-dynamic farming. Organic and bio-dynamic farming means farming in a way which cares for the environment. It limits the use of synthetic pesticides, chemical fertilizers and other unnatural interventionist approaches which means foods are not processed using irradiation, industrial solvents, or chemical food additives.

Farmers prevent pests by planting a diverse range of crops, by rotating crops, using natural biological and environmentally friendly inputs and conserving natural ecosystems. Organic food production is a heavily regulated industry requiring special certification in order to market food as organic. To be labeled certified organic, products must be grown and manufactured in a manner that adheres to standards set by the country they are sold in.

In Australia, the Department of Agriculture certifying approved organisations are: NASAA Certified Organic (NCO), AUS –QUAL Limited (AUSQUAL), Biodynamic Research Institute (BDRI), Organic Food Chain (OFC) & Tasmanian Organic - Dynamic Producers (TOP).

What is Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO)?

A Genetically engineered food is a plant or meat product that has had its DNA artificially altered in a lab by genes from other plants, animals viruses or bacteria in order to produce foreign compounds in that food. This type of genetic alteration is not found in nature.

Many of the foods we currently eat have been genetically modified unless they are labeled - which is yet, to this day not supported by food protection organisations or the Australian government.