The Omnivore's Dilemma Response #2

I will focus on the word “organic” and its meaning to people. The word “organic” can refer to the way farmers grow and process agricultural products such as fruits, vegetables, dairy products and more. According Michael Pollan, “The word organic has proved to be one of the most powerful words in the supermarket” (136). It is now the fastest growing sector of the food economy. An organic label is like any other label found in a supermarket and it tells us little information on how that specific food was produced. So here’s the catch, an organic farmer would apply natural fertilizers such as manure, to feed soil and plants. A conventional farmer would apply chemical fertilizers to promote plant growth. How do we know if these natural fertilizers are harmful? I really hope the U.S. Department of Agriculture has established a well certification program that requires all organic food to meet certain government standards. I would assume that these standards would regulate how such foods are grown, handled and processed.
If conventional farmers are giving animals antibiotics, growth hormones and medications to prevent disease… then so be it. At least it is efficient than the organic way… and that is by giving animals “organic feed” and allow them to be outdoors. It would help minimize the disease, but I would rather prevent it, then to minimize it. Many people may ask, "are organic foods safer and more nutritious?" I would have to say no.