There are many facts and rumors running around about organic foods, some of them true and some of them completely false. The primary goal of organic food agriculture is to optimize the health of the soil life, plants, animals and people. It is a very simple goal and one that is very simple to attain. One misconceived organic food fact is about the use of antibiotics and hormones. Very much unlike the conventional food stuffs, organic foods do not use antibiotics to prevent animals from getting diseased or sick. They do not use growth hormones to beef up livestock or to provide a better immune system. Organic foods are also not completely pesticide free. Another organic food fact; just because a food says it is organic does not mean it is free of herbicides or chemicals. Organic foods use natural cultural practices to ward against nasty pests and diseases. Some chemical pesticides must be used, but only in moderation. There is usually 73% less pesticide on organic vegetables than there is on conventional vegetables when it finally gets to the consumer. The next interesting organic food fact is that red raspberries, strawberries, peaches and apples that are grown in the United States and cantaloupe that is grown in Mexico are the foods which are most contaminated with pesticides. The least contaminated are watermelon, kiwi, bananas, pineapple and domestically grown cantaloupe. The least contaminated of the vegetable line is onions, peas and corn. These tests were made by the U.S. government.
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