Overview

What is organic food?

Food that is labelled "organic" has been grown or raised without synthetic chemical fertilizers, pest killers (pesticides), weed killers (herbicides), hormones, or drugs. Synthetic means that they are made in a lab.

This means that farmers and ranchers who grow organic food:^{footnote 1}

• Use only natural pest killers, such as plant oils, soap, fungus-eating bacteria, or bugs that eat other bugs.
• Use only natural fertilizers, such as manure or compost.
• Feed their animals only organic food.
• Don't give their animals antibiotics or growth hormones.
• Don't use genetically modified organisms (GMOs). GMOs are plants or animals whose genetic material has been altered using genetic engineering.
• Don't use irradiation, which means using X-rays or other types of rays to kill pests, change the way plants grow, or keep vegetables and fruits from spoiling as fast.

Some countries, including Canada and the United States, have rules that govern when a farmer or rancher may use the organic label. Before a grower can use that label, a government inspector goes to the farm to make sure that the rules are being followed.

Don't assume that food labelled "natural," "sustainable," "hormone-free," or "free-range" is organic. Look for the organic logo or seal.

What do you need to know about organic food?

You may have these questions about organic food:

• Is it safer? Foods with the organic label have less pesticide residue compared with most non-organic foods. Foods grown with pesticides can have small amounts of pesticide left on the food when it gets to the store. There is not enough evidence to know if the small amount on non-organic foods can cause harm.^{footnote 2}
• Is it more nutritious? There is not enough evidence to say that organic food is more nutritious than non-organic food.^{footnote 2}
• Is it better for children? Children may be more sensitive than adults to pesticides and other chemicals because they are still growing. But there is not enough evidence to say that organic food is better for children.^{footnote 2}

How can you reduce exposure to chemicals?

Food grown with pesticides can have small amounts of pesticide left on the food when it gets to the store.

If you are concerned about pesticides on your food, here are some steps you can take:^{footnote 3}

• Wash raw fruits and vegetables under running water before eating them. Use a scrub brush when it will not bruise the food. Otherwise rub the food by hand to clean it.
• Peel vegetables such as carrots and fruits such as apples. Peeling will remove pesticides that are on the peel, but it also removes fibre, vitamins, and minerals.
• Throw away the outer leaves of head lettuce and cabbage.