To go green or not to go green: The organic question

Aside from being a marketing buzzword nowadays, do any of us know what the term "organic" really means? Or that some federal agencies are just as confused as we are about defining this ubiquitous catchphrase? It's no wonder: look up organic on dictionary.com and find 15 different definitions! In terms of consumer products, organic can mean that most or all ingredients or sources are derived from a plant or animal source as opposed to manufactured chemicals. I'll be talking mostly about home and personal care products and produce in this post.

So how do you decide on buying something that's labeled organic vs. something that isn't? Learn a little bit more about regulation, reading labels, and why the item would be better for you and the environment if it's organic.

Regulation
The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) makes efforts to regulate how agriculture, produce, food sources, and farming practices are defined as being organic. The USDA's National Organic Program (NOP) has specific guidelines that producers must follow in order to use an organic label including how agricultural products must be produced and what is used in the production, saving people from worrying that companies are simply using the term organic to charge more.

Unfortunately, the Food and Drug Administration doesn't regulate home and personal care products in terms of being organic. However, a lot of companies (mainly in the cosmetic industry) are pushing to be regulated by the USDA and it's starting to work. The USDA says this about non-agricultural industries:

If a cosmetic, body care product or personal care product contains or is made up of agricultural ingredients and can meet the USDA/NOP organic production, handling, processing, and labeling standards, it may be eligible to be certified under the NOP regulations.

There are, of course, other requirements to meet such as verifying the source of the organic ingredients, how they are produced, that these ingredients are USDA-certified organic, and various label requirements. Sounds like a lot of work just for a little green sticker..
If you're thinking about buying something organic, make sure you read the label and ingredients so you know you're actually paying for the organic ingredients and not just that little green sticker.


Reading the Label
These four label categories will help you understand what you are buying:

100 percent Organic. Products with this label must contain only organically produced ingredients (excluding water and salt). Product may display the USDA Organic seal and must display the certifying agent's name and address.

Organic. These products must contain at least 95% organically produced ingredients (again, excluding water and salt) and the remaining ingredients must consist of non-agricultural substances approved on a national list. The USDA seal can still be used with the certifying agent's name and address.

Made with Organic Ingredients. Products contain at least 70 percent organic ingredients and the label can list up to 3 organic ingredients on the main display, such as a body lotion made with lavender,rosemary, and chamomile. These products may not use the USDA seal.

Less than 70 percent Organic Ingredients. These products cannot use the term organic anywhere on the main display but can identify which ingredients are USDA-certified organic.

Why Organic? And where's the proof?

Food
We've all heard claims that organic food is more nutritious and is better for the environment, your health, and the economy. How true is it? I spent a good week looking up myriads of websites trying to weed through facts and claims. Most of them were extremely biased and both sides claiming numerous studies but would not cite them. Where's the middle ground?

I finally settled on Wikipedia's Organic food article: the author addresses both sides and information is backed up by references. The bottom line of the article:
1) organic food only sometimes has more nutritional value than conventional foods,
2) organic farms don't release chemicals into the environment which have the potential to harm soil, water and wildlife,
3) there is no scientific proof that consuming organic food is better for your health (however there is less risk of chemical-related illness of workers employed at an organic farm compared to workers at a non-organic farm), and
4) organic food sales have gone up by 17-20% in the past few years as demand rises, despite the lack of facts regarding the benefits of organic food.

My opinion: Most organic food tastes better (according to my personal palate anyway), but there are only a few things for which I'm willing to pay more to taste better.

Cosmetics
I have found absolutely zero fact-based evidence that organic makeup and other skin care is better for you. I'm currently in the process of researching whether your skin actually does absorb metals and chemicals, so for now all I can offer is my opinion and personal experience. My skin is prone to acne and using organic skin care has reduced my breakouts significantly.
I would also like to point out that sometimes, risk of allergic reactions can increase with more plant-based ingredients being used. Always test a product on a small inconspicuous area before applying and if possible, before buying a product!

Cleaners/household products
Again, I found an overwhelming lack of scientific evidence that organic cleaners are better for your health and the environment. However, my common sense points out that products that have warnings to only use in well-ventilated areas (the ones that make you light-headed and even pass out if you don't) can in no way be good for you. I've had great success with any organic cleaners I've used and try to stick to ones with pine or citrus oils which are disinfectants.
I've never tried this, but I came across information for non-toxic, clay-based paints which use plant extracts for colors anywhere from pastels to rich, vibrant hues. Not only do you avoid the icky fresh paint smell, but I like the idea of painting like Native Americans did.

Bottom Line
Whether you support and live an organic lifestyle or are deciding on whether you want to or not, I just hope you do your own research and make a decision based on your own personal convictions, not just because someone tells you you're a hippie if you do or that you don't care about the environment if you don't.