In the Media

In BC the term certified organic can only be used on those products that have met strict guidelines set up by government accredited certifying associations. Yet not every producer wants to be certified and there are arguments for and against organic certification.

A product cannot be certified organic unless it meets organic standards when it is being grown, processed and handled. However, organic on its own can be used freely in the Canadian marketplace and the only protection the consumer has against fraudulent claims is through federal food labelling regulations, which require truth in labelling.

We see the word "organic" everywhere these days; in grocery stores' produce departments and in magazines articles ranging from Newsweek to Harrowsmith. Yet, what is organic and what does it mean?

Organic can apply to all types of foods, clothing and housewares. These days, organic food comes from small diverse market gardens where organic extends to a lifestyle devoted to treading lightly on our Earth, keeping food in local communities and celebrating the gifts of Mother Nature.

Over and over I hear the refrains, "It's too expensive," "It's overpriced," "I can't afford it," when the subject of buying organic food surfaces.

Yet for most of us, whether we spend our money on organic food or not is a matter of priorities. At first glance organic food can seem expensive, but when all the short and long term externalized costs of the food system’s impact on the Earth are considered, it appears reasonable.

Sixty-nine per cent of British Columbians prefer the taste of wild salmon over farm-raised, and 72 per cent believe that eating the wild product is better for the environment than eating the farmed, according to a public opinion poll released today.

The Vancouver Sun, Thu 08 Apr 2004, Page: A11, Section: Editorial, Byline: Stephen Hume, Column: Stephen Hume, Source: Vancouver Sun