How is Organic Food Produced?

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

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.

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.

In case of organic animal products usage of hormones, chemically enhanced feed, antibiotics is not permitted.

Organic food processing and handling

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.

Organic food does not involve using chemicals as preservatives, bleaching agents, deodorizers, etc.

Organic food packaging

The manufacturer should seek organic certification and should use the label of the certification body as prescribed.

The organic label should be used as indicated by the certification body and should clearly indicate if the product is 100% organic or 70% organic and so on.

The list of ingredients should be clearly indicated on the product.