Lynda Brown answers your most common questions

What are organic foods?
Organic foods are those that have been produced according to organic farming and processing standards. Only foods and drinks made from ingredients that have been certified as organic can legally be labelled and sold as organic.

How can I be sure foods are genuinely organic?
Wherever they have been produced, all organic foods come with full farm-to-table traceability back to their original source, and every producer or supplier is legally required to provide proof of authenticity. The certification number or label on the packet is the consumer’s guarantee of authenticity. For fresh foods that are sold loose, the producer or supplier will be able to provide proof if asked.

Do organic foods last as long as non-organic?
This varies. Because no post-harvest chemicals are used, some organic fresh produce does not last as long as non-organic, but often its lower water content and its non-forced growth mean it may actually last longer. Foods such as sausages and chilled goods contain no artificial preservatives and should be enjoyed as soon as possible. Manufactured organic foods have shelf-lives similar to their non-organic equivalents.

Why are organic foods potentially healthier?
Organic foods are foods you can trust and feel good about, and eating them brings many benefits. Uniquely, they contain no hydrogenated fats, artificial additives, flavourings or preservatives, and they are produced without the use of artificial pesticides, genetically modified organisms (GMOs) or routine antibiotics. In addition, organic fresh produce generally has lower nitrate levels and can have higher mineral and vitamin C content.

Do organic foods contain any additives?
Organic foods are processed with the minimum processing necessary for each type of foodstuff. A limited number of natural processing aids, such as ascorbic acid (vitamin C) or guar gum, are approved and will be clearly labelled on the packaging. All are under constant review and no new processing aid is added without the closest scrutiny.

Are organic foods pesticide-free?
Because pesticides are endemic – in the air, the ground and the water supplies – and therefore the risk of contamination is always present, it is impossible for organic farming to claim to be entirely pesticide-free. However, since organic foods are produced without the use of artificial pesticides direct exposure to pesticide residues in organic foods is effectively reduced to zero.

What about the cost?
Organic food prices represent the true cost of growing nutritious, high-quality produce. Foods grown using modern intensive methods may be cheap, but have very high health, social and environmental costs, such as that of clearing up water pollution. Unfortunately, organic foods are often unfairly judged against mass-produced foods, which distorts the value for money you are actually getting. However, the ever-increasing production and availability of organic foods is rapidly making them more affordable.

Are organic manufactured foods entirely organic?
The vast majority of organic foods on sale are 100 per cent organic. However, standards allow for a small proportion of some non-organic ingredients to be used temporarily, in certain circumstances. Any non-organic ingredient is clearly labelled as such on the packaging.

What about GM foods?
Organic standards exclude genetically modified organisms (GMOs) of any kind from the growing, processing or manufacture of organic foods. This ban includes all derivatives as well as the GM enzymes used to make rennet for vegetarian cheese. Many organic manufacturers also test their products independently to ensure GM purity.

Source: Organic Living by Lynda Brown (Dorling Kindersley)