Are You Sure That Stuff is Really Organic?
The next time you decide to drop some large coin on expensive organic food or “all natural” cosmetics you need to remember what you see here.
The BBC produces a television show called The Real Hustle which features three scam artists who demonstrate how easy it is to part you with your money.
The best protection against this type of scam is to either ensure you are buying from a well known and reputable company, or have first hand knowledge of the origin of the product you’re purchasing.
In addition to blatant and illegal scams, Dr. Stephen Barrett warns that even in cases where food carries a certified “Organic” label, it is referring to the production method rather than the physical qualities of the product. He says,
Many consumers who “fork over a little more” believe that the foods themselves are more nutritious, safer, and tastier. But the USDA proposal itself noted that, “No distinctions should be made between organically and non-organically produced products in terms of quality, appearance, or safety.” In other words, no claim should be made that the foods themselves are betterâ€â€or even different!
Organic foods are certainly not more nutritious. The nutrient content of plants is determined primarily by heredity. Mineral content may be affected by the mineral content of the soil, but this has no significance in the overall diet. If essential nutrients are missing from the soil, the plant will not grow. If plants grow, that means the essential nutrients are present.
The Organic Food Con
In this episode the hosts demonstrate how easy it is to get people to purchase “organic” food, which is nothing more than re-packaged crap.
The Organic Cosmetics Con
Here they open a small store to sell “organic” cosmetics, which again are nothing more than re-packaged crap.
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Yep, gotta be mindful of all this. “Organic” is a seriously nasty vogue word when it comes to the health industry. Can’t find the reference now, but at least one bottled water company here in Australia was forced to change its label after calling its water “organic”. Just for those who don’t know – water is *not* an organic substance. :) Caveat emptor, as usual.
I never got the hype over organic foods. A tomato is a tomato, no matter which way you grow it. I’m glad the word is getting out so we can stop spending $100 on fruits and vegetables.
You must be kidding?
Just last week I was at the grocery store to buy some carrots for my kids. They had organic carrots and regular ones for half the price. It wasn’t so much a matter of cost. More as a result of being a cynic in general. Until I did my due diligence, I couldn’t see subsidizing something with my hard earned money that may not in fact be kosher.. in a matter of speaking.
It’s plain business to meet the bare minimum. “Herbal” remedies are all the rage, but don’t have to be approved by the FDA for either health factors or even to see if they really work. It’s written right there on the bottle too.
Glad to see my thoughts weren’t unfounded, I’m gonna dig a little deeper – thanks John :)
Personally, I have never purchased any organic stuff for the same reason. How do you know that it is organic? To be frank if really want something organic then i would buy it from my local farm where i can personally go and make sure that its organice. Thats the best way for me
Wow, I would never have guessed I could be scammed buying organic products. I thought all organic producers were pretty legitimate?