Organic foods are those that are grown without dangerous pesticides and fertilisers, have not been contaminated by waste, additives or radiation and have not undergone chemical ripening. Organic meat or animal products comes from animals that are raised without the regular use of antibiotics, without growth hormones and on a generally healthy diet. No genetic modification is permitted. Many organic foods even require biodegradable or recyclable packaging to be considered organic.

Food that is not considered to be organic populates the shelves and fridges of our supermarkets and grocery shops. This is a multi-billion dollar industry, one that benefits from mass consumer support. However, organic farms are becoming increasingly popular as more people become aware of the health risks imposed by chemical- and hormone-laden foods. However, by the last half of 2008, organic food still only constituted just under 2% of the total food being sold globally. This is actually a fairly impressive figure as the supply of organic foods is under strain due to increasing demand, despite the higher cost.

Foods should have a sticker or label on to certify that they are organic. Organic food and the growing thereof are not only beneficial for the human body in terms of the lack of poisons on the food, but the farms themselves are advantageous to the entire environment for various reasons. Firstly, these farms work hard to maintain a healthy ecosystem so that plants and / or animals may thrive without needing the aid of chemicals and growth hormones. Secondly, the farms produce less waste. This waste may usually arise out of pesticide containers, polluted water and soil, packaging for medication and chemicals, and so on. Lastly, organic farms do not use pesticides, which means that the water, soil, land and animals are all free of such harmful chemicals.

Pesticides affect the farm workers, animals (including the birds that live off the grains and seeds) and eventually the consumers. Exposure to pesticides has been shown to cause dizziness, nausea, stomach cramps, vomiting, headaches, respiratory problems, memory problems, cancer, depression, miscarriages and birth defects. Infants and younger children have very little chance of exposure to pesticides if not through the foods that they eat.

Of course, there are critics, and these argue that these farms require so much extra space that they threaten rainforests and the like. They also assert that the farms produce much less than conventional farms and are, therefore, unable to sustain the world’s population at present.

Organic food contains up tom 40% more antioxidants, making the foods much more beneficial in terms of health, but also much tastier. Conventional foods often taste blander and more watery, while organic foods are richer in flavours and have more texture to them (e.g. organic apples are crunchier and sweeter). This is due to the purer soil.

BY taking small steps to improving the quality of our intake, we raise awareness of the foods that we allow into our body, giving us more control. A healthy body is a fit body, and it is imperative that we make the utmost effort to ensure that our bodies are fit and healthy at all times.