Many talk about its benefits, but few know the disadvantages of organic food. However, some people prefer to eat organic food because they think it is healthier, tastier, or safer. Others believe that this feeding option is better for the environment and improves the welfare of animals in the human food chain.
But as in all things, there are also some disadvantages in organic foodThese overshadow its incredible benefits a bit, but they are still one of the best and healthiest options for consuming food. If you want to know what the disadvantages of organic food are, read on! And find out about those little details that we are not told about these foods.
What are the disadvantages of organic food?
1. They may contain fewer nutritional elements
Some organic foods may have fewer nutritional elements included per serving compared to traditional crops or produce. Organic milk is an example. It may contain less iodine and selenium, which are two critical elements for good health.
Several studies have found that there are no differences between the traditional food chain and the organic food chain when evaluating the nutritional profile of similar items. A total of 233 studies find a lack of relevant evidence to conclude that organic items are more nutritious than non-organic.
2. They cost more than products grown using traditional methods
Consumer Reports compared the cost of 100 organic items and their traditional counterparts. The overall results they found were that organic items would cost an average of 47% more than food produced through a more conventional process. The price comparison range was quite fast. In some cases, organic foods were even cheaper (like organic honey). Some farm products were the same cost, including olive oil, cream cheese, and carrots.
Organic zucchini could cost up to 300% more compared to traditional items.
3. They are not always available in some communities
There is a growing demand for organic food in the United States and around the world. Availability is greater today than it possibly has been before. There are still places where you can only find these items at health food stores.
Many local grocery stores are selling more items with this label, but regions facing food shortages are still struggling to bring in these items. More than 60% of people buy organic products during their shopping trip, which is changing the supermarket industry, but it is still a transitory process that requires more time to access all.
4. They have a shorter shelf life than other items
Although there are a handful of organic foods that have a longer shelf life than traditional produce, most have a shorter shelf life. Some products, such as turnip greens, mustard greens, and chicory, have a shrinkage percentage greater than 50%. Turnip greens have a shrinkage rate of 63% on their own. Hundreds of millions of pounds of uneaten whole vegetables pass through the market each year due to shelf life issues.
The reason these items have a shorter shelf life is because they spoil faster thanks to the lack of preservatives. It can lead to more food waste and extra shopping trips that can increase the risk of needing a higher grocery budget each week.
5. They are more sensitive to environmental changes
One of the factors that contributes to the high levels of loss of organic products is that the items are more susceptible to changes that occur in their environment. Grocery stores must limit exposure to sunlight, reduce damage from equipment and technical failures, and store items at an appropriate temperature. Excessive handling can cause enough damage to some items to reduce the shelf life of some foods as well.
Also Read Amazing Benefits of Eating Organic Food
6. They require more work to produce
Because there is an emphasis on natural farming methods for farmers growing organic food, the amount of physical labor required to get the items to market is much higher because there may be less automated processes involved.
Natural fertilizers, such as green manure, may require manual spreading to eliminate the environmental impact of a tractor and accompanying equipment. Weeding often occurs by hand. While these actions improve soil conditions, they will also raise the cost of items that households can purchase.
7. They Offer a Greater Risk of Bacterial Contamination
If you are concerned about bacterial contamination in your food supply, organic foods may not be the best option for your health needs. Although several studies say that the differences are negligible between organic and non-organic items, there is a 1% increase in the frequency of E. coli contamination when choosing something that was grown using organic processes. There is also a 5% increase in the overall risk of experiencing a problem with the food supply.
8. They may still contain natural pesticides and fungicides
The only difference between the pesticides an organic produce uses and one of the traditional farming methods is that natural elements must be used during the growing process. As long as the fungicides and pesticides the organic farmer uses come from natural sources, they are generally approved for use without interrupting the certification the farmer has earned. You should take the time to thoroughly wash the surface of your food and cook it thoroughly to reduce your risk of exposure.
9. May Contain Higher Levels of Pesticide Residues
There are about a dozen conventional foods that have very little pesticide residue during frequent testing periods. You may find that produce such as cauliflower, avocados, cabbage, onions, eggplant, and grapefruit are cheaper and healthier from a display standpoint than choosing organic produce.