How does the “certified organic” label affect your shopping decisions?

Question

You probably have seen the green and white USDA Organic symbol on foods at your grocery store. What do you expect from products that bear this label? And do you view companies that make such products differently from others?

Answer 1

Yes, I value these products highly. I tend to look for organic or shop at Whole Foods a lot. I would like to eat foods as close to nature as possible, so that is why I chose organic. I expect these companies to produce quality foods as good as the traditional brands, but without additives and preservatives. I view these companies as ones who are producing products with more concern for the environment and health of their consumer.

Answer 2

The “certified organic” label affects my shopping decisions more and more these days. I do my best to keep my diet healthy, and buying organic is a big part of that goal. And when I see that label, I expect just that... that the food is organically grown without the use of pesticides. I'm also aware that any fruits and vegetables are healthier for us than if we don't eat them at all... organic or not. So it's perfectly understandable that some won't buy organic because of the difference in price. And some people just don't care at all, which is fine. We are all free to make a choice. Some fruits & vegetables are more affected by the pesticides than others (pesticides do penetrate the skin of an apple). Aside from my own health, what concerns me most is the affect of pesticides on the environment.

As for how I view companies that make such products differently (or organically) from others: I have to admit, most of the time, I don't think about the name of the company at all. More and more grocery chains have a selection of organic products. I look for those products. I mainly shop in Whole Foods and Trader's Joes, where I find it easier to buy organic and trust that I'm getting what I'm paying for.

I don't buy organic as much as I'd like. It seems like it's rarely possible to get all I need in one store. Sometimes, after working all day, I just don't want to have to make a 2nd or 3rd stop.

Answer 3

It effects us a little.
When the price gets reasonable for the working class poor who have kids to feed, these mass produced, machine boxed ect. "organic" foods will become more attractive.
As it is right now only those who are not on a strick budget can afford to care and buy these expensive mass produced organic foods.

Organic fruits and veggies are easy to get where we live and we get these not only for us but our critters who eat these. I do not worry about all the chemicals that go into our bodies and those of my parrot and our other critters we feed such fruits and veggies too. Of course organically grown fruits and veggies do not look as pretty as those that are cased in a chemical. They just taste a whole lot better.

I expect from these products to be what they say they are. Though I personally do not know what the government (USDA) considers "organic". Frankly I do not put much stock in what the government says.

No I do not view the companies that make such products any different. They are out to make money like everyone else. If organic was not the "in" thing right now we would not see what we are seeing. Hopefully it is not a passing faze.

Anyhoo great question!

Answer 4

The label doesn't help me make decisions.

I know the products that carry the label are more expensive, and for what? It would make a difference if food wasn't regulated already, and the organic label meant the food was the only one that met a standard for being edible or safe for consumption.

But, since the FDA already exists to do this job, I see organic food companies and products along the same lines as the Atkins diet, Tony Little's exercise programs, or just about any fitness machine over the last 10 years - a fad to cater to consumers whims until something better comes along to latch onto.

I'm not saying it's a bad thing, because each of the above (except for the Atkins diet is not the greatest thing) is something that people used to become healthier, it is just overkill trying to hold food to a higher standard in a day when Americans are expected to live well into their 70's and it isn't uncommon to see people in their 80's and sometimes 90's.

So, with that, the label of "Organic" will not help me make decisions on my food.

Answer 5

You can read up about "organic gardening" first,but the best example to prove how any of these fruits,veggies,berry or vine crops are, is to raise a few for your self-just a 4 X 4 plot of something you like -start with seed in Feb. or Mar, plant in a tray, set out in Spring, water , mulch and keep the weeds out. When picking time comes-go to your store and get the same product and do a taste taste. If you can't tell the difference in freshness,taste, looks and appeal - you definitely need someone to look at you. The Organic movement has been around for years-look up Rodale Sr. first issue of Organic Gardening and Farming Magazine and read
Just the other day multiple studies from the UK was released saying Organic foods are at least 40 % better for you then any others. These have always been hindered by the large chemical corp. that make all the sprays , pesticides, fungicides and all the toxic sprays that are giving people cancer and killing the pickers in foreign countries. They also are buying up acreages and all the small seed companys to control the industry. Get your head out of the sand and read up about your Consumer Organizations and what is being done to try and clean up what is being eaten.
Not to mention those that have the 6 to 8 operations done each season to have that green lawn - what does it do to your pets or baby that crawls on it, or flies in the open windows while it's being applied. Do you wonder where breast cancer or other maladies come from - but nobody other then a few try to limit and stop these hazards.

Answer 6

You've probably seen the green and white USDA Organic symbol on foods at your grocery store. What do you expect from products with this label and how do you view companies that make such products? Photo by cjohnson7.

Answer 7

I certainly will be more likely to buy a product that is "Certified Organic". That said, I am still leery about the source of the product behind the label. Given that the USDA (and the FDA) are simply marketing tools of industry, there simply to rubber stamp whatever industry requests, I still take that label with a grain of salt.

I also strongly distrust large grocery chains that have suddenly gotten on the organic bandwagon. Why would I trust the same chain that has for years been selling me food loaded with chemicals, high fructose corn syrup, GMO products and the like. They obviously don't take organic seriously...they only see it as yet another way to make a buck.

I basically only trust those chains that have been with organic and non-GMO foods from the start. They may be in it for profit, but at least I know that they've always been watchful as to what they sell!!!

What this country really needs is an outcry to force the USDA and the FDA (and all other federal "regulators") to do their job instead of siding with industry. They were established to PROTECT the citizenry from greed and corruption, not to be a part of it. We must demand that irradiated foods and GMO foods ALL BE LABELED!!!!!

After all, it is our body...don't we have a right to know what we are being sold to put into it???????

Answer 8

I cannot answer for anyone else here, but I can speak for myself and my close family.

What do you expect from products that bear this label?
When I see products with the USDA Organic symbol, I expect the products to be healthier, simpler, and more natural than other similar products not marked with the USDA Organic symbol.

Do you view companies that make such products differently from others?
In truth, I do. I usually expect the companies to be more caring about the environment and community. Although this is not often the case, I often belive that supporting such companies is in some way helping the environment and society.

Answer 9

Like anything the U S Government is involved with, the label is suspect. I would be foolish to suggest that organic, contaminant free food is not better than the poisoned, growth hormone inflicted foods that are NOT "organic". Mass produced and distributed foods are dangerous. Period.

Those labeled as "organic" are expected to be less contaminated, and may very well be. But, the USDA is involved, and farm subsidies are involved, and politicians are involved, so we MUST be suspicious of the standards applied to determine whether a food is truly "organic".

Technically, ALL foods are organic, and so is gasoline. The concept of untainted food production was popularized in the sixties, and championed by Hippies, many of whom are now industrialists, business people and politicians, and was given the name "organic" by folk with little understanding of the word.

We could readily resolve the question by simply outlawing all pesticides and hormone usage, not to mention genetic manipulation. Then all foods would be "organic". Doing so would reduce farm production and eliminate the need to pay farmers to not grow on certain parcels. The surplus would correct itself. Unless, of course, we had another locust plague, or the aphid population exploded.

Reality check: without pesticides, most citizens of the U S would be hungry, or would have starved long before now. Current abundance is the result of pesticides, and the control of pest populations permits "organic" farming. Eliminate the pesticides, crops get munched, we are all hungry. Use pesticides, the pest populations are minimized, and pesticide free food becomes available.

All of which is controlled, defined, and regulated by your friends in Congress, and permitted by your other friends in the Senate.

And sold by your best friends at Wal Mart.

TRUST the USDA? Nope! Trust Wal Mart? Nope! Believe the label? Yes, and I know a guy who has some really great real estate just a bit east of Florida. USDA certified real estate, I might add!

Answer 10

My expectation of products that bear this label is that they have been grown in a manner consistant with the spirit and intention of those who conceived of and promote the orgaincally grown foods program. I think there should be an effective organization who certifies and keeps watch over these growers so that they actually grow their crops in the prescribed manner. If the shoppers, to whom the organically grown products are important, are willing to pay the extra money in order to get organically grown product, they should have the assurance that they are getting what they are paying for. I'm not saying it's a bad thing, because each of the above (except for the Atkins diet is not the greatest thing) is something that people used to become healthier, it is just overkill trying to hold food to a higher standard in a day when Americans are expected to live well into their 70's and it isn't uncommon to see people in their 80's and sometimes 90's.

Answer 11

The organic label does not imply that it is healthier, tastier or better quality. It is not even 100% organic if you understand how products acquire the USDA Organic label. Organic just refers to the means of producing the food. It is notably more expensive than conventionally grown food for essentially the same product. So, I will not buy products from these companies unless it is on sale.

Of course, there is this whole argument about organic food producers are more respectful to the environment, nature and what not but I can definitely argue that conventionally grown food is just as good. There are tons of research papers on both sides and if people want to argue one way or the other, I don't think the answer space provided is adequate. So, in short, I would not view organic producers any different from other companies.