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How is Organic Food Produced? |
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Organic food production involves following stringent environment friendly standards in every stage of production, right from farming to processing and retailing. Organic food is produced in the following manner:
Organic Food Farming:
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The seeds used for organic farming are organic in nature. Crops grown from genetically modified seeds cannot be labeled as organic.
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Chemical fertilizers are not used in organic food production. Instead, organic fertilizers, compost, mulches, organic matter, etc., are used to increase the fertility of the soil.
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Chemical pesticides, herbicides, insecticides and fungicides are not used in organic farming and organic gardening. The organic alternatives are organic pesticides, organic herbicides, organic insecticides and organic fungicides. People also use other means to control weeds, pests and diseases. These include multiple cropping, trap crops, mulches, frogs, toads, companion crops, etc. For example, sweet corn acts as an excellent trap crop for organic tomato production. Sweet corn attracts tomato fruitworm and thus protects tomato crop when inter-planted with it.
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In case of organic animal products usage of hormones, chemically enhanced feed, antibiotics is not permitted.
Organic Food Processing and handling:
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Processing is done without the use of any chemicals such as chemical solvents. For example, normally, coconut oil is obtained through solvent extraction. However, organic coconut oil is obtained by crushing organic coconuts a mechanical expeller.
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Organic food does not involve using chemicals as preservatives, bleaching agents, deodorizers, etc.
Organic Food Packaging:
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