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Original poster

Anybody else not 'DO' Organic?

201 replies

dyzzidi · 22/03/2005 08:35

Okay so I don't have kids yet so i may alter my opinion then but I don't do organic.

I actually refuse to buy anything organic as I feel it has not harmed me all of my life eating normal stuff.

I eat quite healthily lots of fruit and veg etc but will not pay for the organic label and what is organic ketchup & baked beans all about?. I thought if something was bad for you it was bad for you regardless of that is in it.

Also I don't do Tofu or quorn or anything I feel is manufactured veggies.

Ok there I have voiced the fact that I and many of my friends don't do organic, Anyone else?????

OP posts:
snafu · 22/03/2005 09:30

I'm not talking about pesticides, Ameriscot - my post was referring to dyzzidi's post about environmental pollutions and asthma etc. I was just saying that if you think that issue is a problem then it seems slightly strange not to have any concerns about putting pesticides into your body as well.

Original poster
dyzzidi · 22/03/2005 09:31

Snafu I just don't do organic. I know lots of people do and that is their choice didn't really want an argument just wondered if I was alone!

You must all have something that annoys you about it even if it is just the cost.

I won't be worrying when i go out to eat tonight where the food has come from just whether it is good or not

Do you all think organic when you eat out?

OP posts:
snafu · 22/03/2005 09:32

No, I don't want an argument either

I'm off out now - I'll remember to ask the waiter in Wagamama's whether his noodles are organic!

Original poster
dyzzidi · 22/03/2005 09:38

Most principles go out the window when you eat out!

I for one do not normally drink yet when i go out i would give most winos a run for there money. I am such a bad person

OP posts:
pinklilith · 22/03/2005 10:28

I never understood how organic costs more yet apparently it costs less to produce.

misdee · 22/03/2005 10:29

because its not massed produced.

Ameriscot2005 · 22/03/2005 10:42

The supermarkets have a much higher profit margin on organic.

OldieMum · 22/03/2005 10:44

I have gradually switched to eating more and more organic food, mainly because of concerns about pesticide residues in fruit and veg, but also because I find that much of the organic food I buy actually tastes better.

Pesticide residues are not just on the outside of the fruit/veg, so washing only reduces them, rather than eliminating them. As someone said, they are a particularly problem with carrots, apparently.

Those who have pointed out that organic food is more expensive because there is less demand for it are absolutely right. Prices of products fall when lots of people buy them (as has happened with so many kinds of consumer electronics).

Very few people eat what their grandparents ate. There were fewer pesticides in use then and people also ate much less processed food (which, as we all know, contain lots of additives). We don't know what the long-term health effects of a build-up of pesticide residues will be - various cancers and falling male sperm counts have been suggested as possible effects.

lockets · 22/03/2005 10:45

This reply has been deleted

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flashingnose · 22/03/2005 10:48

Surely the bottom line is we all have no idea how the food on our plates has been produced? Yes, we have strict guidelines on pesticides etc in this country, but fruit and veg is airfreighted in from all over the world. What are the controls like in Chile, Kenya, South Africa? How did our farming ever get into a situation where it was deemed acceptable to feed animals to cows and sheep? Because the farmers and supermarkets do not have your best interests at heart. If you don't "do" organic, you should at least start questioning why those chicken breasts are so cheap, how we can have strawberries in the shops all year round.

Blimey, rant over .

sandycheeks · 22/03/2005 10:52

My dad is acctually an organic farmer. He only has a small holding with a few cattle and sheep. The rules regrading organic farming are very strict.
With this in mind and the thought of supporting Dad I make an effort to buy organic produce, but the extra cost is a big issue ! To some extent organic has become a marketing ploy.
When I was young we used to grow a lot of our own veggtables ( this was long before dad changed to being organic) and we used to eat our own meat. To this day I have never tasted tenderer meat and juicy veg ( I have never brought new potatos, organic or otherwise with skin you would peel off and eat on it's own)
To be honest with you I find that most supermarket fruit and veg to be generally of a low standard. Be that organic or otherwise.
On the other hand by not buying organic I don't know what I am subjecting my family to. Very dangerous pestacides are used in farming to kill weeds. I don't feel that I trust the goverment to decide what's safe for me and my family to eat. If you think about mad cow's disease, it was caused by the goverment at the time allowing animal food producers to include dead animals inthe mix. Now I am no genius but cows are veggetarian animals, so supplementing their food with offal was not the smartest of moves, and that's before you think about the potential diseases fed to the animal.
I dont think this is an issue of being good or bad parents if you feed your children organic or not, most people don't have the financial choice! I think it's disgusting that we can't afford to buy safe food, and that in the long run we have no idea what could have contaminated our food.

CountessDracula · 22/03/2005 10:53

I buy organic as much as possible. Why? Well I think it is like the reasons behind giving my dd the single vaccine. I have no real, concrete evidence that if we eat non-organic food/give mmr that terrible things will happen. I just feel that it makes it less likely.

Surely everyone want to do the best they can afford for their families, and if it helps the environment and improves animal welfare (which it undoubtedly does) then I for one will buy into that.

SeaShells · 22/03/2005 10:53

Well I'd love to be able to say that yes I buy organic produce and do the best I possibly can for my family and I, but the truth is we can barely afford regular fruit and veg at the moment, nevermind organic! I would 'do' organic if I could. Sadly I often have to buy food which I know is not particularly good for us all (I know, I've studied in Nutritional therapy) we are just not in a financial position to afford to eat as well as we would like right now.

Original poster
dyzzidi · 22/03/2005 10:55

Ameriscot I had heard about the higher markups in supermarkets and think it is stupid. We live in a society where everything 'apparently' good for you including products not just food is more expensive.

Myself and DP are quite lucky as we have quite a lot of spare cash ( no kids yet ) and help out our familys where we can.

I feel sorry for people who want to buy healthy things yet simply cannot afford them. Not just organic food but hundreds of toys for their kids, electronic goodsetc. They should not be made to feel inadequate by luckier few who look down there nose at them. But I suppose people are people and some will always do this.

Just a general moan not to anyone in particular.

OP posts:
CountessDracula · 22/03/2005 10:56

I have said this before - if you are paying £2 for a chicken, what sort of life has that chicken had?

I agree that organic should be available for the same price as normal veg.

Anyone remember when Iceland switched to all organic veg and fruit? It was virtually the same price as their normal veg. They had to stop it because people perceived that organic = expensive. If you compare things like for like in supermarkets, often organic is not a huge amount more esp if you buy seasonal things and not strawberries in January for eg.

flashingnose · 22/03/2005 10:56

I've linked to it before but reading this book will really open your eyes.

Ameriscot2005 · 22/03/2005 10:57

Where do you get £2 chickens?

CountessDracula · 22/03/2005 10:59

LOOK THE ICELAND THING!!

Original poster
dyzzidi · 22/03/2005 11:01

sandycheeks I try to support people like your dad by buying from local farm shops but I do this because they are local businessmen who work hard and deserve any help I can give them. I just would not go into a supermarket and but organic. I suppose to some of you that is just plain hippocritical but thats just the way I am.

I normally buy british fruit and veg and do check to see where things come from and whever possible buy produce. Same with meat.

OP posts:
renaldo · 22/03/2005 11:02

organic food especially meat has always been a important to me yet some of friends who say they cant afford it take their kids to mcdonalds at leas once a week - which would pay for anorganic fruit/veg box form able and cole- so with some it's about priorities...

Caligula · 22/03/2005 11:03

I feel guilty about not shopping at Iceland now!

lockets · 22/03/2005 11:03

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CountessDracula · 22/03/2005 11:03

£2 chicken

CountessDracula · 22/03/2005 11:03

bugger link not working

Asda sell a 1.6 kg chicken for £1.98 for eg

Original poster
dyzzidi · 22/03/2005 11:03

CD I just read that link what is your take on it?

OP posts:
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