5 Foreign Literature

Author: Pawel Glibowski

Date: June 2020

The popularity of organic foods grows systematically. In the last decade, several
critical reviews and meta-analysis concerning organic food consumption and their
effect on some chosen health problems have been published. The aim of the work
was to present the current state of knowledge regarding the influence of organic
food consumption on human health. On average, organic food of plant origin is
characterized by a trace presence of pesticides, a lower content of nitrates and an
increased content of polyphenols and vitamin C. Organic products of animal origin
contain more beneficial for health unsaturated fatty acids. Organic dairy products,
in contrast to meat products, are characterized by a higher content of protein and
saturated fatty acids, however, the differences more result from the length of the
grazing period and access to fresh forage than to the production system. Although
generally, the consumption of organic food does not provide a significant
nutritional advantage compared to a conventional diet, regular and frequent
consumption of organic products generally reduces the risk of overweight and
obesity, both for women and men, as well as non- Hodgkin lymphoma in case of
women. Besides those, consumption of organic fruits and vegetables, as well as
dairy products significantly reduces the risk of pre-eclampsia in pregnancy and
eczema in infants, respectively. Positive effect on selected health problems
probably results from a reduced amount of pesticide residues and an increased
secondary plant metabolites intake which characterize organic food. This review
showed that there is a need for further, especially, large cohort studies concerning
the effect of organic food consumption on specific diseases development.
Author: Mary Jane Brown
Date: September 16, 2021

Organic foods have grown increasingly popular over the last 2 decades. In fact,
U.S. consumers spent $56 billion on organic produce in 2020. This number
increased by nearly 13% from 2019, so their popularity does not seem to be
slowing down. Some people think organic food is safer, healthier, and tastier than
conventionally grown food. Others say it's better for the environment and the
well-being of animals. This article compares organic and non- organic foods,
including their nutrient content and effects on human health.

What is organic food? The term "organic" refers to how certain foods are
produced. Organic foods have been grown or farmed without the use of:
● Artificial Chemicals
● Hormones
● Antibiotics
● Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs)

In order to be labelled organic, a food product must be free of artificial food

additives. This includes artificial sweeteners, preservatives, coloring, flavoring,
and monosodium glutamate (MSG). Organically grown crops tend to use natural
fertilizers like manure to improve plant growth. Animals raised organically are not
given antibiotics or hormones. Organic farming tends to improve soil quality and
the conservation of groundwater. It also reduces pollution and may be better for the
environment. The most commonly purchased organic foods are fruits, vegetables,
grains, dairy products and meat. Processed organic products are also available,
such as sodas, cookies, and meat substitutes.
Author: Isreal Zewide and Abde Sherefu
Date: January 2021

Several systematic reviews suggest that organic food contains lower levels of
chemical pesticide residues (Baranski et al. 2014, Dangour et al. 2010 and Huber et
al. 2011. Whether this difference is relevant for human health depends on the types
and quantities of pesticides used in conventional farming. In developed countries,
where pesticide regulations are relatively strict, differences in risk for exceeding
maximum allowed limits are generally negligible (Magkos et al. 2006 andSmith
Spangler et al. 2012). In terms of other unhealthy components, some reviews
conclude that organic foods contain lower concentrations of nitrate and cadmium
(Baranski et al. 2014 and Huber et al. 2011). No significant difference was found in
terms of fungal or bacterial contamination in most studies, although some suggest
higher microbial concentrations in certain organic products such as fruits
(Mditshwa et al. 2017). Lower cadmium and nitrate levels in organic plants are
linked to synthetic fertilizers not being allowed in organic farming (Baranski et al.
2014). Nitrogen fertilization promotes vegetative growth (associated with the
formation of proteins and carbohydrates) while limiting generative growth
(associated with the formation of secondary metabolites) (Huber et al. 2011).
Regarding animal products, higher levels of omega-3 fatty acids are potentially
linked to outdoor grazing and larger biodiversity in pastures on organic farms.
Author: Swati Alok
Date: January 11, 2021

Sustainable consumption and organic food demand are increasing at a rapid rate in
emerging economies. This research studies the repurchase intention toward organic
food in the Indian context and employs a cross-sectional survey technique
(n = 450). The study analyses the role of perceived consumer social responsibility,
price, value, and quality in repurchase intention through structural equation
modeling using PLS-SEM. Findings suggest that perceived price fairness and
perceived value have a significant influence on repurchase intention; perceived
consumer social responsibility positively influences perceived price fairness and
perceived quality. Interestingly, the relationship between perceived quality and
repurchase intention was not significant; however, the indirect effect of perceived
quality was found significant. Furthermore, the mediating role of perceived value
was established in the relationship of perceived price fairness and repurchase
intention as well as perceived quality and repurchase intention, signifying the
importance of perceived value for Indian consumers.
Author: Lawrence Robinsons, Jeanne Segal, Ph.D., and Robert
Segal, M.A.
Date: September 2020

Why is organic food often more expensive?

Organic food is more labor intensive since the farmers do not use synthetic
pesticides, chemical fertilizers, or drugs. Organic certification is expensive and
organic feed for animals can cost twice as much. Organic farms tend to be smaller
than conventional farms, which means fixed costs and overhead must be
distributed across smaller produce volumes without government subsidies.

Where to shop for organic food

To find farmers' markets, organic farms, and grocery co-ops in your area, visit:

● In the U.S.: Eat Well Guide or Local Harvest

● In the UK: FARMA
● In Australia: Australian Farmers’ Markets Directory.
● In Canada: Farmers’ Markets in Canada