Organic Food, Access and Popularity - Essay Example

Methods of Enquiry Our world since its origination has been a ‘hotbed’ of activity. Activity in the sense, we humans have been showing activeness both mentally and physically. And, for that activeness, to continue, energy in the form of food is the only option. The food comes in various forms, that is, organic food and inorganic food. Both have its benefits and disadvantages. The aim of the paper or the report is to look into the all issues concerning organic food, and to make recommendations to HealthCo Primary Care Trust (PCT) about what should be advised for the local community. And the report will answer all the questions asked by the manager of the HealthCo PCT, and will then analyze the various answers. After analyzing is done, findings will be given on whether the organic food is better for people than conventional food. Also, whether it has benefits, which can outweigh the extra cost for organic food. Part 1 – Report a. Define organic food and explain how the public can determine whether the food in shops is organic? Organic food can be defined as pure food without any artificiality. According to the Food Lover Companion (2001), “The term "organic" typically describes food that has been cultivated and/or processed without the use of chemicals of any sort including fertilizers, insecticides, artificial coloring or flavoring and additives”. And, according to Gurl.com (2004), “Foods that claim to be organic use materials and practices that do not hurt the environment”. “Food grown… in soil whose humus content is increased by the additions of organic matter, grown in soil whose mineral content is increased by the application of natural mineral fertilizers” (Rodale 1972). The public can’t determine whether the food is organic or not, just by observation. DEFRA (2006) stipulates that “the use of the word organic accompanied by the correct code and/or certification information as shown below on the label or within the shop is your guarantee that it has been organically produced”. b. How much organic food is purchased in the UK in absolute and relative terms, and how has that amount changed in recent years? In UK organic food is purchased in large numbers. The Absolute refers to the overall amount of organic food consumed in the UK and relative refers to the percentage of organic relative (that is, other food) to the absolute consumed food figure. And the amount of organic foods purchased in UK both in absolute and relative terms is 4400 tonnes. And this amount has changed up to 7.9% in recent years. (LycosIQ.com 2007). “UK organic market is lower in absolute terms than in several other EU Member States” (Second Report 2001) c. How does UK consumption of organic food compare with that of other countries, and what are the possible reasons for the difference? The consumption of organic food in UK is in the range of 1.6-billion pounds in 2005(planetark 2006). While, retail sales of organic products in the U.S. have increased by an average of 23 % per annum (USDA 2006). In Germany, in the first nine months of 2006, organic foods achieved a 2.7% market share of the overall food market (GFK.com). This statistics show that in all these countries the consumption of organic foods is in the high ranges. But in USA, it is even higher because of the awareness about the organic foods and due to the easy availability of the organic foods . d. What is the UK publics current view of organic food? The public’s view in most cases is in favor of this organic food. “The organic market…is driven by consumers who want to buy fresh… directly from the farmer. The leading supermarkets must take note of the publics wishes and increase the amount of locally-sourced organic food”(BBC 2007). Prince Charles, nowadays a vigorous champion of organic food (Indymedia.com). And there are other sides as well; Rodgers (2007) says that, there are some real health risks associated with organic foods. They are not theoretical and speculative, but linked to real toxins and diseases. But finally, Haynes (2007) asks a question to justify organic food consumption. “By the way, how many people HAVE died from consuming organic food? e. What are the disadvantages of organic food production and consumption? There seems to be disadvantages galore for this food consumption. “Scientific research has found that organic food is not really that much more nutritious” (Bishop 2004). “Compared to conventional farming, organic farming is woefully inadequate in controlling soil erosion “(Carlisle 2000). “May be cross-contaminated with chemicals from other farms” (faqs.org). “We have to pay more for organic produce” (Greeno 2005). “Crop rotation prevents organic produce… all year long… organic foods may not be available during any given season” (Hog 2004). “It also grows at a slower pace because the farmers don’t use chemicals or ordinary fertilizers” (Wood 2006). The disadvantages were found to lower crop yields (Spedding ). Mechanical energy inputs are greater in organic production… and may be environmentally friendly (Tan) f. Finally, what conclusions can you draw about the benefits of organic food, and what are your recommendations about the advice that HealthCo PCT should give to the local community? Organic food is known to contain 50% more nutrients, minerals and vitamins than produce that has been intensively farmed (Louise). Often, the flavor is just so much better (Healthy eating made easy 2006). Organic food enthusiasts will report – without hesitation – of their increased energy and overall health and vitality. (Bery 2007). These are the conclusions and benefits one can draw about the advantages of organic food. And after viewing the pros and cons of the organic foods, I recommend to the HealthCo that advising the local community to have organic food will not show any dramatic results. So, I again recommend, not to have, organic food instead of conventional ones. Part 2 - Evaluation of information sources The sources, which form the part and basis of this report on organic food, were evaluated using the criteria suggested by Radford et al (2002): Accuracy; Authority; Objectivity; Coverage and Currency. The evaluation is also done based on the criteria set by Cooke (2001). As this report uses number of Internet sources (as the main source of information) to ensure up-to-date details on this current topic, both these works are only considered to be apt for the evaluation. And, to make the evaluation systematic, the different sources were divided into groups according to their origins. Government web sites form the first group: DEFRA, USDA and UK Parliament’s official web site are the Government based web site that are used in this report. These web sites in their web pages had given comprehensive information about the topic of organic food, which were arranged logically. As the information is provided by the government, it would be an unbiased one with no favoritism and spin. So, the information used in this report, which are sourced from these web sites can be trusted for its reliability and authority. From the definition to the instruction of how to find the food is organic, DEFRA gives both authentic and legal information. The same is the case with USDA and Parliament web site. Media web pages form the second group: BBC and Washington Post provide apt at the same time well-structured articles containing all the needed information and useful examples of innovations and different approaches. Although the topic of organic foods found good mention in these web sites, there is no good number of external links, which specifically deal with organic foods. Even though media is known for giving biased view in favor of any one side, both these web pages have not given views, which favor one side and insult others. Institution and Organization web pages forms the third group: Organic food info and Monsanto corporation web pages, especially its forums, only helped to find quality information about the given topic. These sources are probably more of subjective in nature nevertheless; they delivered the necessary information to understand the opposition to some government strategies. Sources were also easily accessible because of the layout of the web page and supportive search options. For example, the Organic food info web site has lot of inbuilt links using which one can gatherer lot of information further. Furthermore, as the Internet offers academic databases and journals, this report contains journal of Missouri Baptist University which are reliable because the information in the journal has the additional advantage of being peer reviewed which indicates that it has been approved by experts in the field. So, if one analysis and evaluate all the sources used in the report, by using the criteria of Radford et al (2002) and Cooke (2001), one get the idea that organic foods has some inbuilt weakness and so consuming it will give no benefit. Part 3 - Reflections When I look at this report, I could see how essential is organic foods for humans, but when we look at the disadvantages organic food brings, its importance or essentiality also comes down. That is, in the overall analysis, the reflection I got is even though organic food has its uses, the disadvantages totally outweigh its utility. And to come to this conclusion I searched a lot both in the real world and in the virtual world. And on finding the different sources, databases, journals for the report, I cornered the relevant points to come to this conclusion. Reference: Bery, Michelle. (2007). The Advantage Of Organic Food. Available from http://ezinearticles.com/?The-Advantage-Of-Organic-Food&id=406456 (Accessed on March 9 2007) BBC.co.uk. (2007). Food. (Online). Available from. http://www.bbc.co.uk/food/food_matters/organicfood.shtml (Accessed on March 9 2007) Bishop, Melissa. (2004). Is Organic Food Healthier for You?. Collegian. Missouri Baptist University. July 21, 2004 Carlisle, John K. (2000) Organically-grown food not necessarily better for you. Available from http://www.enterstageright.com/archive/articles/0600organic.htm. (Accessed on March 9 2007) Cooke, A. (2001). A Guide to Finding Quality Information on the Internet: Selection and Evaluation Strategies (2nd edn.). London: Library Associate Publisher. DEFRA. (2006). Farming - Organic: Consumer information. Available from http://www.defra.gov.uk/farm/organic/consumers/faq.htm. (Accessed on March 9 2007) Faqs.org. (2006). Disadvantages of Organic Foods. Available from http://www.faqs.org/nutrition/Ome-Pop/Organic-Foods.html. (Accessed on March 9 2007) Food Lovers Companion. (2001). Information about Organic Food. Barrons Educational Series, Inc. Fong, Bethany. Food and Culture. Department of Family and Consumer Sciences Available from http://www.spu.edu/depts/fcs/newsletter/articles.html (Accessed on March 9 2007) Greeno, Davinos. (2006). Disadvantages of Organic Food and Organic Agriculture. EzineArticles. Available from http://ezinearticles.com/?Disadvantages- of-Organic-Food-and-Organic-Agriculture&id=362210. (Accessed on March 9 2007) GfK Group. (2005) Organic food products in Germany surge ahead Available from http://www.gfk.com/group/press_information/press_releases/001133 /index.en.html (Accessed on March 9 2007) Gurl.com. (2004). Gurl Fast Facts. Available from http://www.gurl.com/findout/fastfacts/pages/0,,643267,00.html (Accessed on March 9 2007) Geraldine, Rodgers. (2006). What Is Better For You: Organic, Conventional, Or Genetically Modified Food? . Available from http://www.monsanto.co.uk/discussion/archives/discussion_organic.html (Accessed on March 9 2007) Haynes, Lucy. (2006). What Is Better For You: Organic, Conventional, Or Genetically Modified Food? . Available from http://www.monsanto.co.uk/discussion/archives/discussion_organic.html (Accessed on March 9 2007) Healthy eating made easy. (2006). Discover the advantages of organic foods. Available from. http://www.healthy-eating-made-easy.com/advantages-of-organic- foods.html (Accessed on March 9 2007) Holden, Patrick. (2004). Growing organic direct sales. Organic Food and Farming Report, 2004 Indymedia.com. (2006). Organic needs Defending Join the campaign. Available from http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2006/12/358568.html (Accessed on March 9 2007) LycosIQ.com. (2007). Questions & Answers in "Health and diet". Available from http://iq.lycos.co.uk/tags/Health-and-diet/ (Accessed on March 9 2007) Planetark. (2006). UK Organic Food Consumption Seen Rising Sharply. Available from http://www.planetark.com/dailynewsstory.cfm/newsid/38833/newsDate/06-Nov- 2006/story.htm (Accessed on March 9 2007) Radford, M.L., Barnes, S.B. & Barr, L.R. (2002). Web Research: Selecting, evaluating and citing. Boston: Allyn and Bacon. Rodale R. Testimony. (1972). New York State public hearing in the matter of organic foods. New York City, Dec 1, 1972. Second Report. (2001). Organic Farming. Select Committee on Agriculture Second Report. Available from http://www.parliament.the-stationery- Office.co.uk/pa/cm200001/cmselect/cmagric/149/14906.htm (Accessed on March 9 2007) Spedding, Colin.2007. Organic food production. Available from http://www.iob.org/downloads/1108.pdf. (Accessed on March 9 2007) Tan, Ruth. (2007) Benefits of Consuming Organic Food. Available from 2007http://ezinearticles.com/?Benefits-of--Consuming-Organic-Food&id=450541 (Accessed on March 9 2007) USDA. (2006). General Information & Other Resources. Available from 2007 from http://london.usembassy.gov/fas/us_organic_consu.htm (Accessed on March 9 2007) Virginia Louise. The Advantages of Organic Food. Available from http://www.organicfoodinfo.net/ (Accessed on March 9 2007) Wood, Heather. (2006). Reasons You Should Eat Organic Foods. Available from http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/56525/reasons you_should_eat_organic_foods.html (Accessed on March 9 2007) Read More