Still think 'eating organic' isn't worth it?

§ 205.603 Synthetic substances allowed for use in organic livestock production.
In accordance with restrictions specified in this section the following synthetic substances may be used in organic livestock production:

(a) As disinfectants, sanitizer, and medical treatments as applicable.

(1) Alcohols.

(i) Ethanol-disinfectant and sanitizer only, prohibited as a feed additive.

(ii) Isopropanol-disinfectant only.

(2) Aspirin-approved for health care use to reduce inflammation.

(3) Atropine (CAS #-51-55-8)—federal law restricts this drug to use by or on the lawful written or oral order of a licensed veterinarian, in full compliance with the AMDUCA and 21 CFR part 530 of the Food and Drug Administration regulations. Also, for use under 7 CFR part 205, the NOP requires:

(i) Use by or on the lawful written order of a licensed veterinarian; and

(ii) A meat withdrawal period of at least 56 days after administering to livestock intended for slaughter; and a milk discard period of at least 12 days after administering to dairy animals.

(4) Biologics—Vaccines.

(5) Butorphanol (CAS #-42408-82-2)—federal law restricts this drug to use by or on the lawful written or oral order of a licensed veterinarian, in full compliance with the AMDUCA and 21 CFR part 530 of the Food and Drug Administration regulations. Also, for use under 7 CFR part 205, the NOP requires:

(i) Use by or on the lawful written order of a licensed veterinarian; and

(ii) A meat withdrawal period of at least 42 days after administering to livestock intended for slaughter; and a milk discard period of at least 8 days after administering to dairy animals.

(6) Chlorhexidine—Allowed for surgical procedures conducted by a veterinarian. Allowed for use as a teat dip when alternative germicidal agents and/or physical barriers have lost their effectiveness.

(7) Chlorine materials—disinfecting and sanitizing facilities and equipment. Residual chlorine levels in the water shall not exceed the maximum residual disinfectant limit under the Safe Drinking Water Act.

(i) Calcium hypochlorite.

(ii) Chlorine dioxide.

(iii) Sodium hypochlorite.

(8) Electrolytes—without antibiotics.

(9) Flunixin (CAS #-38677-85-9)—in accordance with approved labeling; except that for use under 7 CFR part 205, the NOP requires a withdrawal period of at least two-times that required by the FDA.

(10) Furosemide (CAS #-54-31-9)—in accordance with approved labeling; except that for use under 7 CFR part 205, the NOP requires a withdrawal period of at least two-times that required that required by the FDA.

(11) Glucose.

(12) Glycerine—Allowed as a livestock teat dip, must be produced through the hydrolysis of fats or oils.

(13) Hydrogen peroxide.

(14) Iodine.

(15) Magnesium hydroxide (CAS #-1309-42-8)—federal law restricts this drug to use by or on the lawful written or oral order of a licensed veterinarian, in full compliance with the AMDUCA and 21 CFR part 530 of the Food and Drug Administration regulations. Also, for use under 7 CFR part 205, the NOP requires use by or on the lawful written order of a licensed veterinarian.

(16) Magnesium sulfate.

(17) Oxytocin—use in postparturition therapeutic applications.

(18) Parasiticides—Prohibited in slaughter stock, allowed in emergency treatment for dairy and breeder stock when organic system plan-approved preventive management does not prevent infestation. Milk or milk products from a treated animal cannot be labeled as provided for in subpart D of this part for 90 days following treatment. In breeder stock, treatment cannot occur during the last third of gestation if the progeny will be sold as organic and must not be used during the lactation period for breeding stock.

(i) Fenbendazole (CAS # 43210-67-9)—only for use by or on the lawful written order of a licensed veterinarian.

(ii) Ivermectin (CAS # 70288-86-7).

(iii) Moxidectin (CAS # 113507-06-5)—for control of internal parasites only.

(19) Peroxyacetic/peracetic acid (CAS #-79-21-0)—for sanitizing facility and processing equipment.

(20) Phosphoric acid—allowed as an equipment cleaner, Provided , That, no direct contact with organically managed livestock or land occurs.

(21) Poloxalene (CAS #-9003-11-6)—for use under 7 CFR part 205, the NOP requires that poloxalene only be used for the emergency treatment of bloat.

(22) Tolazoline (CAS #-59-98-3)—federal law restricts this drug to use by or on the lawful written or oral order of a licensed veterinarian, in full compliance with the AMDUCA and 21 CFR part 530 of the Food and Drug Administration regulations. Also, for use under 7 CFR part 205, the NOP requires:

(i) Use by or on the lawful written order of a licensed veterinarian;

(ii) Use only to reverse the effects of sedation and analgesia caused by Xylazine; and

(iii) A meat withdrawal period of at least 8 days after administering to livestock intended for slaughter; and a milk discard period of at least 4 days after administering to dairy animals.

(23) Xylazine (CAS #-7361-61-7)—federal law restricts this drug to use by or on the lawful written or oral order of a licensed veterinarian, in full compliance with the AMDUCA and 21 CFR part 530 of the Food and Drug Administration regulations. Also, for use under 7 CFR part 205, the NOP requires:

(i) Use by or on the lawful written order of a licensed veterinarian;

(ii) The existence of an emergency; and

(iii) A meat withdrawal period of at least 8 days after administering to livestock intended for slaughter; and a milk discard period of at least 4 days after administering to dairy animals.

(b) As topical treatment, external parasiticide or local anesthetic as applicable.

(1) Copper sulfate.

(2) Formic acid (CAS # 64-18-6)—for use as a pesticide solely within honeybee hives.

(3) Iodine.

(4) Lidocaine—as a local anesthetic. Use requires a withdrawal period of 90 days after administering to livestock intended for slaughter and 7 days after administering to dairy animals.

(5) Lime, hydrated—as an external pest control, not permitted to cauterize physical alterations or deodorize animal wastes.

(6) Mineral oil—for topical use and as a lubricant.

(7) Procaine—as a local anesthetic, use requires a withdrawal period of 90 days after administering to livestock intended for slaughter and 7 days after administering to dairy animals.

(8) Sucrose octanoate esters (CAS #s-42922-74-7; 58064-47-4)—in accordance with approved labeling.

(c) As feed supplements—None.

(d) As feed additives.

(1) DL-Methionine, DL-Methionine-hydroxy analog, and DL-Methionine-hydroxy analog calcium (CAS #'s 59-51-8, 583-91-5, 4857-44-7, and 922-50-9)—for use only in organic poultry production at the following maximum levels of synthetic methionine per ton of feed: Laying and broiler chickens—2 pounds; turkeys and all other poultry—3 pounds.

(2) Trace minerals, used for enrichment or fortification when FDA approved.

(3) Vitamins, used for enrichment or fortification when FDA approved.

(e) As synthetic inert ingredients as classified by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), for use with nonsynthetic substances or synthetic substances listed in this section and used as an active pesticide ingredient in accordance with any limitations on the use of such substances.

(1) EPA List 4—Inerts of Minimal Concern.

(2) [Reserved]

(f) Excipients, only for use in the manufacture of drugs used to treat organic livestock when the excipient is: Identified by the FDA as Generally Recognized As Safe; Approved by the FDA as a food additive; or Included in the FDA review and approval of a New Animal Drug Application or New Drug Application.

are you going to pay for my groceries? i buy organic when i can, but sometimes it just too expensive.

Check your local farmer's markets, also, see what you can grow at home. Sometimes just a few little things help in the big picture. The one good thing is that organic foods are starting to really come down in price. A lot of times fruits and veggies are less than 50 cents more per kg/lb

Be careful in assuming that the produce at the local farmers market is better than the grocery store. I know that many of the vendors at ours are getting their products from the very same farms in the US and Mexico that the big box stores do. When buying from the farmers market, make sure to ask where their farm is and if it is possible for you to drive by and see it. If they can't answer - walk away and find someone who can.

This is extremely sad, and just down right wrong. The farmer's markets in my area are made up of a bunch of local farmers in the area, and every one I have asked who I have bought produce from have stated they don't use chemicals and pesticides but can't afford to be certified organic. For me I would take that over the grocery store crap any day. When you don't have the choice the grocery store has to do lol

The reason a lot of people argue that organic local grown produce has more nutrients is because it does. Fruits and veggies start losing their nutrients once they are picked, so when they are coming from other countries, there is a lot of transportation time before they get to your store, and a lot of them are sprayed with things to either ripen them or change the color so they are more appealing. I know at the farmer's markets here, things are picked the day before or that day before the market. It will have more nutrients because they are just being picked.

The other thing I have heard is the soil. Conventional farming mass produces and over turns the soil so much and replants the same plants over and over that it is losing a lot of the vitamins and minerals in the soil, which would mean a more deficient plant.

I don't know this to be fact, but from researching this is what I have found because this question does come up a lot and people say there isn't a difference, but when you think about it, it sounds about right.

every one I have asked who I have bought produce from have stated they don't use chemicals and pesticides but can't afford to be certified organic.

This is a total lie. Either they lied to you or you lied to us. I assume it's the latter, since no one goes to all the vendors at a farmer's market asking "are you using chemicals" and gets told "no but I can't afford to go organic" by "all of them."

Organic doesn't mean "chemical free." Organic farms use pesticides and fertilizers and hosts of other chemicals.

Genuine question: wouldn't the organic crops be "contaminated" with pesticides as well, because it is in all the water, air and soil already?

Another question: Why do we continue to need antibotics or painkillers, because aren't they all in the water and soil already (pharmaceutical contamination)?

I think the previous posters have it right -- do the best you can, make the best choices you can. Criticism of industrial farming doesn't mean criticism of those who buy the food. Our reliance on factory farming for cheap food doesn't mean that we shouldn't pressure the companies to make the food safer/less negative environmental impact - our reliance doesn't mean we have to be/are supportive of the industry's practices. Consumers are not complicit in the bad practices - as consumers they are the victims and industrial farms should be doing better. It is doubtful that industrial farming is the only industry that has had no advances at all (via technology or new discoveries or better science) that would help them make a safer/healthier product (yet advances to increase production/weed killing/increase in size have all been made - even when those advances use dubious chemicals).

Buy organic from local farmers or grow your own. I grow my own now instead of buying organic, and it's just that much more beneficial to me and my family because I KNOW how it was grown and what was used for fertilizer (my own compost), and I KNOW for sure no pesticides were used, not even the tobacco spray that is sometimes used on organic crops.

For what it's worth, nicotine is just as toxic to bees and other polinators as neonicitinoid pesticides like clothianadin. Using tobacco tea sprays is also prohibited illegal in many places. Also, tobacco (at least the nicotine sulfate "tobacco dust") is on the prohibited materials list for organic farmers.

http://www.ams.usda.gov/AMSv1.0/getfile?dDocName=STELPRDC5068682

So, if someone is using a tobacco spray, their crops may not be organic, and their use of the tobacco spray may be illegal.

i love the free range argument, it really makes my day,

if we are worried about a chickens welfare, in terms of its living environment and quality of life, surely kidnapping its children everyday is the worst thing we can do? if chickens are emotional enough to be worried about sunshine then surely they would have a bond with there undeveloped embryo?

i mean, is it just me or is child abduction awful whether you live in a nice house or a crappy shack?

you should do some reading on the benefits of free range/pastured... I used to think the same thing... it is not about keeping the animal happy, it is about the animal getting access to the diet and sun light it should have in nature. Chicken are omnivoures and in nature eat insects high in protein.... when fed a grain diet, the eggs (and chicken) is significantntly less nutricious. Corn and grain in general is a fairly non-nutritive filler.

Additionally, taking an egg from a chicken is not child abduction, unless a woman having her period each month is having an abortion. A wild/feral chicken will lay eggs fairly regularly, regardless of whether she's even ever seen a rooster, and if she hasn't, those eggs could never produce a chick. And, most eggs she lays even if she has been with a rooster and are fertile, she won't sit on - only "broody" hens will sit on their eggs, and while they lay eggs between daily and several times a week depending on breed/diet/age/daylight length/etc., they will only sit on the eggs for a portion of the year.

So, sure, if you take an egg from a broody hen sitting on it, you could call that child abduction. You'll also be likely to get your hand pecked pretty authoritatively. But if you take an egg from a hen that isn't interested in it becoming a chick, it never would have had that opportunity anyway, and she won't be upset in the slightest.

every one I have asked who I have bought produce from have stated they don't use chemicals and pesticides but can't afford to be certified organic.

This is a total lie. Either they lied to you or you lied to us. I assume it's the latter, since no one goes to all the vendors at a farmer's market asking "are you using chemicals" and gets told "no but I can't afford to go organic" by "all of them."

Organic doesn't mean "chemical free." Organic farms use pesticides and fertilizers and hosts of other chemicals.

Excuse me, don't call me a liar, you don't know everything just because you can look up an article and you have no idea how it is where I live. My farmers market is not big, there are probably 4 vendors selling produce, so yes it is very easy to go and talk to the farmers that are there. And I have asked each one of them there growing practices, when you visit the market every week it very easy to get friendly with the growers there. And I didn't say everyone single one of them said they can't afford to go organic, I said the ones I have asked. I don't ask everyone of them why they aren't certified, but I do ask them if they use pesticides and chemicals, and most are passionate about what they do and have no problem having a discussion with you over this matter. Furthermore, the farms they are coming from are a few towns away and have been to a couple of them that told me the same thing the guy at the market did.

There are a lot of farmers that were "organic" growing farms before the government came in and started labeling things organic. There are a lot of smaller farms around here that pride themselves on these practices because they live an holistic organic lifestyle themselves. Not all of them use the "organic pesticides" and such just because they are allowed to. Some just use hard work and care for their crops.

If you don't want to buy organic then don't, but I dont see why people get bashed for wanting to not have crap chemicals and such on their food. The "organic" chemical list is obviously not the same chemicals as are used on conventional crops. When you have to wear masks and special gear to spray these chemicals on the food we are going to eat, that alone should make you question how safe they are. And for ones who say the government says they won't hurt you in moderation, well eating stuff with it on there everyday is NOT moderation.

Don't attack me and call me a liar because I don't agree with you, very inconsiderate.

ETA - before I get anymore crap, I am not speaking of organic products in the stores, I am talking strictly about farmer's markets. Alot of organic in the stores is from big companies that have organic "departments" so they can jump on the bandwagon and I am sure a lot of those do use the allowed chemicals. But don't bunch them all together when I am sure you haven't done research to know which ones do or don't. I research the companies a lot and do look up these companies to find out about them, and make my choices the best I can on the information I am given.

I find it interesting that so many folks are trusting the government agency (the same one they say is subject to the whims of megacorps like Monsanto) to label and regulate our "organic" food?

http://www.ams.usda.gov/AMSv1.0/getfile?dDocName=STELPRDC5068682

http://articles.washingtonpost.com/2009-07-03/news/36836942_1_organic-label-organic-products-usda-organic


I don't like the idea of pesticides/chemicals in my food or GMO being the norm. But I also sure as hell don't trust the USDA to take on this task! And no...I'm not a wingnut...or maybe I am.

I believe this is why you should look for the label to say that it has been certified organic by a 3rd party such as Oregon Tilth and there are some others that I don't remember off the top of my head. At least that is another layer of cred to the label and the 3rd parties are tougher than the govt.

actually, that doesn't seem to be entirely true, since they essentially work as an agent of USDA, using the USDA's guidelines. This is straight from their own website:
What is Oregon Tilth’s involvement with the USDA National Organic Program (NOP) Standard?
Oregon Tilth is one of the USDA NOP accredited certifiers. We certify to the standard of the USDA, following their guidelines as our only standard for agricultural products in the USA. The USDA does not actually have any direct interaction with you, the producer, so as an accredited certifier, we authorize people to use the USDA label after they have undergone the certification process.


This definitely isn't a black and white issue. Knowing your farmer/visiting their farm, or growing your own food is the only way to really know what you are eating. Unfortunately, that isn't always possible which is why we need leaders IN agriculture trying to figure out a way to feed the masses in a way that is sustainable, healthy, and ethical.

are you going to pay for my groceries? i buy organic when i can, but sometimes it just too expensive.

Check your local farmer's markets, also, see what you can grow at home. Sometimes just a few little things help in the big picture. The one good thing is that organic foods are starting to really come down in price. A lot of times fruits and veggies are less than 50 cents more per kg/lb

Be careful in assuming that the produce at the local farmers market is better than the grocery store. I know that many of the vendors at ours are getting their products from the very same farms in the US and Mexico that the big box stores do. When buying from the farmers market, make sure to ask where their farm is and if it is possible for you to drive by and see it. If they can't answer - walk away and find someone who can.

There's a big farmers' market outside of Orlando (in Winter Park) that I was appalled to realize not only didn't sell organic, but also wasn't local (except for one or two "specialty" booths with limited selection). They try to pass themselves off like small farmers, but the organic produce selection was far smaller than what I could find at any Publix. They even trucked in their orange from California (Oranges! To Florida!) when every other neighbor has a perfectly good orange tree in their yard! Produce wasn't necessarily cheaper and it wasn't organic, so why was I waking up early to fight the crowds on a Saturday morning again?

Definitely be careful because I've checked out several others since, and I've found more that sell conventional produce than don't. I'm definitely one who tries to buy organic when it's available and fits the budget, but I don't like when these guys try dupe people.

This is so sad. It makes me upset to think of how Monsanto and other companies like this are simply being allowed to RAPE our world virtually unchecked...I buy almost 100% organic and while it is pricey there are ways to save here and there. Many organic companies have coupons and my local natural market has great specials and gives you $25 to spend for every $500 you have spent. At Whole Foods you can buy store brands that are cheaper, even my local market has thier own brand for supplements and stuff. I also do without lots of other stuff like the latest tablet/cell phone and I'll drive my car into the ground before I buy a new one. I totally understand that sometimes eating all organic isn't attainable but do the best you can and you'll be surprised where you can find the extra money for groceries with a shift in priorities.

Oooo, someone said RAPE. WE HAVE AN INTERNET BADASS RIGHT HERE!

I really wish people understood what 'rape' really is. Hint: It's not something Monsanto does.

Wow, taking things a bit literally?

You just used some powerful language to denounce an agricultural corporation.

Please explain how Monsanto is 'raping' the earth. Be specific.

Didn't eat organic when I was born and don't eat it now. Neither have my parents who are well into their 80's with no health issues but normal wear out of body parts. So yeah, right now I think that it isn't worth it.

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i love the free range argument, it really makes my day,

if we are worried about a chickens welfare, in terms of its living environment and quality of life, surely kidnapping its children everyday is the worst thing we can do? if chickens are emotional enough to be worried about sunshine then surely they would have a bond with there undeveloped embryo?

i mean, is it just me or is child abduction awful whether you live in a nice house or a crappy shack?

Damn, I've just had two boiled eggs for breakfast, now I feel guilty............

Don't feel guilty about eating eggs, they are unfertilized. You ate chicken menses.

I'm more concerned about buying local than organic.

Your money is what matters. Put it towards not crap food and the market will go in the right direction. the solution is in the dollar. Give it to the right people and demand change. The freedom to eat local or organic foods is most def threatend. It should be a human right to be able to have access to helathy foods. However that is not the case for everyone and the more money we can devote to local farmers the more it helps them grow and make evil corporations change. or hopfeully die out.

hoping for change. or a revoulution.