One of the leading reasons why people reach for organic foods, such as many of Pacific Foods’ products, is the belief that organic foods are free of pesticides. However, being labeled organic doesn’t make a product pesticide-free. In fact, the USDA has a full list of approved pesticides that can be used in the production of products with the organic seal.
In this article, we aim to help you understand the facts about organic food and pesticide use. We’ll dig deeper into what’s considered a pesticide, how they’re used, and give you some information about pesticide-free approaches the USDA recommends. With all this in hand, you’ll be able to make an informed choice for yourself and your family.
Many consumers choose organic foods over non-organic foods simply for the sake of avoiding the “bad stuff.” For example, they want to avoid chemical additives and preservatives. And many choose organic to try and avoid ingesting ingredients or food products that have come into contact with pesticides.
The truth is, organic doesn’t always mean pesticide-free. Farmers who focus on producing organic foods must still use various methods to keep pests away from their crops. Just because a fruit or vegetable is produced organically doesn’t mean bugs and other critters simply stay away.
To better understand the use of pesticides in organic farming, it’s important to understand what “organic” truly means. For a food to be considered organic and labeled as such, it must be certified organic by a USDA-accredited certifying agent.
These products must meet specific standards in farming practices and production methods. For example, organic food products must contain at least 95% organic ingredients. If you see a food product in your grocery aisle with the green and white USDA organic seal, it has met these requirements.
The USDA also allows for pest control, including the use of specific pesticides (more on that later). This means that even a product that’s labeled as certified organic may have been treated with a USDA-approved pesticide.
The US Environmental Protection Agency defines a pesticide as:
There are three main types of pesticides, including insecticides, herbicides, and fungicides. Insecticides are used to kill or deter bugs and other pests, herbicides are used to kill or prevent weeds that can harm produce, and fungicides are used to kill or prevent fungus.
To better understand which pesticides are used in food production, let’s go over the two classes: synthetic and organic. Yes, organic can even be used to describe pesticides. What’s the difference?
The keyword here is synthetic. USDA standards prohibit the use of synthetic or man-made chemicals in organic farming unless the chemical is specifically listed as an exception to the rule. Instead, the USDA requires the use of organic pesticides.
The USDA’s National List of Allowed and Prohibited Substances outlines which pesticides are authorized for organic farming as well as livestock production. Again, in general, synthetic pesticides are prohibited and organic pesticides should be used. However, there are exceptions to this rule, including:
The synthetic materials allowed in this list mustn’t contribute to the contamination of crops, soil, or water. And some substances such as ethanol can only be used when other methods of pest control have been used without results.
For example, farmers must first try to control pests through sanitation measures to remove pest-friendly habitats or through chemical-free and non-synthetic traps.
Like all farms, organic farms are susceptible to pests and weeds. And most consumers don’t really like sharing their ear of corn with an earworm. So, many organic farms must use organic pesticides to control them.
Other reasons for using organic pesticides include weed control. Weeds can severely damage a crop and lead to lower yields for the farmer. Unfortunately, organic farming already costs more, so lower yields can really hurt a farmer’s ability to recoup.
The exceptions listed on the USDA’s list are there for a reason too. For example, some synthetic pesticides don’t have a naturally occurring alternative, like copper sulfate that targets a specific type of plant. And remember, farmers must exhaust other methods of pest and weed control before using these exceptions.
The USDA also provides guidance on non-chemical approaches to managing pests that organic farmers can use. For example, to control critters and bugs, farmers can:
Farmers also have non-chemical options when it comes to protecting their crops from weeds. For example, they can do the following:
So, are organic foods pesticide-free? Not always. However, organic farming only allows for the use of organic pesticides that avoid man-made chemicals at all costs, unless there is no other option. And farmers must use other methods of non-chemical pest control first before using any man-made pesticides.
At Pacific Foods, we believe every ingredient has a purpose. We also believe that nature’s work needs little refinement. That’s why our soups, broths, and plant-based beverages are free from GMOs and contain organic ingredients whenever possible.
We’re proud to deliver foods you can feel good about. To learn more, shop our products today.