Conventional vs Organic Produce

This essay was a synthesis persuasive writing strategy. It incorporated ethos, pathos, and logo for this visual argument.

Conventional vs Organic Foods: Which One is Better for Health?

Organic products are often separated from other non-organic products in the grocery stores. There are stores that cater specifically to organic products, such as Sprouts and Whole Foods. They often have different environmentally conscious packaging than their non-organic counterparts. One of the biggest differences is the price and it can often be much more than its counterparts. The prices may even intimidate people, especially in the low-income communities. The price difference may range from 5 to 10 percent more than the conventional food. With such a price difference, are organic foods better for people and the environment? Is it also worth the price to pay?        

            The classical Greek physician, Hippocrates offered his own trope to foods, “Let food be thy medicine, and medicine be thy food.” When one has a headache, it is not an immediate thought that food can be a remedy. Tylenol, or Advil is usually the first choice to relieve a headache. Hippocrates, who was known as the father of modern medicine, wanted to raise the awareness that healthy foods can help prevent and fight diseases. Therefore, this concept about foods is not new. This idea is still being used today to help people examine what they eat and whether it is helpful for their health, especially for long term. From the ethos perspective, clinical instructor and associate director at the Center for Health Law and Policy Innovation, Sarah Downer and her colleagues provided their reviews of eating organic foods. One aspect includes, “A global epidemic of diet related chronic disease has prompted experimentation using food as a formal part of patient care and treatment.” (Downer, Berkowitz and Harlan).

            An analogy between organic food and non-organic food can help determine whether there is a difference in health benefits. Fruits and vegetables are the most common organic foods, however “As well as the more traditional organic fruit and vegetables, there has recently been a significant increase in sales of organic milk, poultry, meat and processed foods” (Williamson). Since organic is proving to be beneficial, other types of foods have been incorporated into the organic category. Organic food is food grown without artificial fertilizer, pesticides, hormones, and/or other chemicals. Growing food organically is designed for the food to become more nutritious than non-organic. “The Compendium of UK Organic Standards has the following definition of organic farming: ‘Organic production systems are designed to produce optimum quantities of food of high nutritional quality by using management practices which aim to avoid the use of agro-chemical inputs and which minimize damage to the environment and wildlife’” (Williamson). There are other benefits organic foods have, especially environmental. This imposes the ethos idea, especially with animal lovers and environmentalists. Pesticides seem to be the main culprit of diseases in natural environments and animals. Non-organic practices seem to have consequences for the environment. “Certain pesticides can poison non-target organisms such as birds, fish, and plants, and harm organisms of special ecological importance, such as bees and algae” (Zimmerman).

            Food in general is no stranger to rhetorical questions. For a common example, at a barbeque party, the griller can carry a tray of burgers towards an obvious hungry crowd and ask loudly, “Who’s hungry?!” Since organic living has positive environmental impacts, the first term that may come up is ‘tree-hugger.’ It is a derogatory term used to describe an environmentalist. The question can be asked as “Aren’t tree-huggers the only people that eat organic food?’ Another scenario is organic food tends to be more expensive, therefore, it may be assumed only high-income individuals may be the only ones that can afford it. For people who eat organically solely for the health of the Earth state their reason as, “They’re kinder to the environment. Organic farming practices are designed to be more sustainable, emphasizing conservation and reducing pollutants” (Watson).

            The term ‘organic’ does not seem to fit in a hyperbole statement. However, according to an observation by Sharon Neufeldt for ICanHasScience, “The most obvious example is the word “organic,” which has been so corrupted that you can now purchase organic sea salt” (Neufeldt). Another interesting point she makes are the ways ‘organic’ can be defined. In popular writing, organic is described as “grown without pesticides or growth hormones” and “not genetically modified” (Neufeldt). It is a description that helps it become a positive connotation. From a scientific perspective, organic is simply defined as “carbon-based.” A hyperbole statement for ‘organic’ is used to sell the product. The description mentioned above has been placed on brand labels to push sales. Amy’s is a well-known company that sells organic foods, such as macaroni and cheese, organic pizzas, and soups. One of their microwavable bowls, known as The Harvest Casserole Bowl, briefly explains what is good about the food. It even exaggerates a bit, “So many feel-good ingredients and oh-so-good. A gluten free combination of organic beans, grains and greens is mixed with organic kale and chard, golden fire roasted sweet potatoes, tofu and roasted pumpkin seeds” (Amy’s Kitchen). Using a hyperbole for an advertisement is not unusual. The main point of their description that it is all organic, and healthy, and may cater to certain diets, such as gluten-free.         

            There is some irony with organic foods. People have the impression organic food is locally sourced and grown by farmers. In some cases, it is true. However, Matthew Wallenstein, an Associate Professor in the Department of Ecosystem Science and Sustainability for Colorado State University, indicates that some have become more industrial. “But the reality is that most organic food is produced on large industrial farms and rely on an arsenal of organic-approved chemicals to control disease that are often more problematic than conventional alternatives” (Wallenstein). He also mentions the more industrial it becomes, the more it may stray away from being organic. “As we seek foods that are produced with the least impact on the environment, we may find ourselves eating highly engineered foods grown in labs instead of fields and processed with all sorts of tricks of molecular gastronomy. Isn’t it ironic?” (Wallenstein). Wallenstein managed to incorporate parallelism in his article. For environmental reasons, people may eat organic foods to reduce the carbon footprint and avoid the foods that grow with the help of fertilizer. Wallenstein questions, “But, the nitrogen in the manure comes cows that eat corn grown with fertilizer. Are we just fooling ourselves?” (Wallenstein).

            Is eating organic food just a trend? For some people, it may be. Others with special diet requirements may not look at it as a trend. Wallenstein mentions that organic foods may not be healthier than conventional foods. The way organic foods are grown takes much energy, such as with high intensity lighting to grow foods that are not in season. Due to the methods they are grown, it is understandable why organic food tends to be more expensive than conventional food. From a nutrition perspective, organic food is better than conventional food. It is more nutrient-rich and also better for the environment.

 

Sources

Amy’s Kitchen. Harvest Casserole Bowl. 2022. Web. 25 February 2022.

Downer, Sarah, et al. “Food is medicine: actions to integrate food and nutrition into healthcare.” The BMJ (2020): 369.

Neufeldt, Sharon. “Myths, Hyperboles, and Buzzwords about Chemicals.” 9 March 2011. I Can Has Science? Web. 25 February 2022.

Wallenstein, Matthew. The Irony of Ecological Eating. 14 November 2016. Web. 27 February 2022.

Watson, Stephanie. “Organic food no more nutritious than conventionally grown food.” Harvard Women’s Health Watch 5 September 2012.

Williamson, C.S. “Is Organic Food Better for Our Health.” Nutrition Bulletin June 2007: 104-108. EBSCOHost.

Zimmerman, Naomi. “So, Is Organic Food Actually More Sustainable?” 5 February 2020. Columbia Climate School Climate, Earth, and Society. February 2022.