// Jimmy // July 26th, 2011 // 5 Comments » // Angry Rants, Blogs, Jimmy's Blog
It’s always a good laugh as I look at my housemates food shelves, when I realise I can’t even pronounce half the shit in there, let alone tell you how to prepare it for a sauteed-likity-split-bonza-vallina-blanc, or other ridiculously long named dish. But lately, there has been an invasion of a particular style of food, plastered with the word ‘organic’. Even the milk was labelled with the word. This morning I asked my housemate what organic was all about, genuinely curious but already thinking that this was one of those funny hipster things. The response was along the lines of chemical usage on the non-organic versions of evertything. Apparently, these chemicals get into waterways and build up in our system and whatever else. At this point I was skeptical but OK with it. But then I did some research.
Here are some of the common beliefs around organic food. Time to play mythbusters. (By the way, if said housemate is reading this, I still think you’re alright)
Organic food has less chemicals on it.
True! Organic food has been found to contain one third of the pesticide residue. But, the amount of pesticide found on non-organic (henceforth referred to as non-hipster) fruit and veg is deemed to be very safe by none other than pretty much every health organisation in the world, at least the ones I found. Three times a bullshit small amount equals a bullshit small amount.
Organic farming produces less waste.
True, generally. This mainly comes down to the containers of the various pesticides and chemicals used in conventional farming. They are made of plastic. They need to be disposed. Ok, you win here hipsters.
Organic farming results in polluted waterways and soil.
True! But it isn’t as bad as ‘polluted waterways’ sounds. There are no rivers which now run brown, defunct of all life because of these chemicals. There may be a little seepage here and there, mostly from irresponsible farming. As for the soil, yes chemicals can build up in there, but the soil is still bloody fertile. Organic farmers are often quoted saying “the soil is more alive at an organic farm”. Yep, there are some worms and insects in there which is all well and good, but it turns out that there is also a sheetload of bad bacteria in there. While there are regulations on it’s use, manure plays a big part in growing organic food. Animals get diseases, which can easily be carried into, you guessed it… their shit.
Organic farming is less intense on the environment.
Debatable. Yes, the chemical part is an obvious win to the hipsters. But no so much the rest. Land acreage to environmental impact, organic wins. But when you look at yield, the benefits of organic fade out to almost nothing. Organic farms are more able to sustain ecosystems within their boundaries. Their boundaries have to be much larger, most likely wiping out ecosystems in the process of clearing land. Oh, and depending on where you live, organic food may have to travel a long way, incurring a hell of a lot of “food miles”. Hipsters, that means that they burn more of that horrible petrol stuff that is bad for the environment.
Organic food is better for you.
Another common belief is that organic food is better for you. This is half because of the pesticide thing we’ve already busted, and half because there are supposed to be more vitamins and minerals. The latter is in fact true! But like everything else already discussed, the amounts are fucking minimal. The biggest increase is actually seen in Vitamin C, which is slowly destroyed by sunlight anyway, so unless you are keeping your special fruits and veg in opaque containers thereby looking like an idiot, you are losing your precious vitamin anyway. And here’s one I didn’t expect: There is evidence to suggest that by not putting pesticides on the outside of the crop, that the plants need to defend themselves against attackers all by themselves, and actually produce their own toxins which are stored where? Yeah, inside your expensive fruit.
Organic food tastes better.
200% better? Then why are you paying that much more. It also looks more retarded and goes off faster. Whatever.
So who the hell is fuelling this “20% increase in organic food company turnever every year since 1990″?
- Goodie Goodies. These guys honestly believe that they are helping the environment. Maybe buying organic will save some soil or somehow result in the humane treatment of animals. They are vegans, greenies and generally idiots.
- Pompous Asses. These guys also go to bars that charge $15 for a basic, own a designer laptop and pretend that caviar tastes nice.
- The Sheep. They heard about it on TV. Completely incapable of forming their own opinion.
- Health Nuts. They will do anything and eat anything to be what they think is as healthy as possible. The funny thing is that most of these deadshits are doing their body wrong.
- The Everything-Is-Going-To-Give-Me-Cancers. Need anything more be said? They are scared about diet drinks and mobile phone usage despite little to no evidence.
- The local guy supporter. If you are actually buying at a farmer’s market fair enough. For everything else, you get to pay twice the price and support brands smart enough to delve into the organic market with limitied branding on the product. You may have heard of them. Brands like Coke, Kellogs? Way to support the little guy.
- You Got That Right
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