Genetically Modified Food Anytime the subject of organic food comes up, it brings a slew of skepticism with it. And the question we hear from readers most often is whether organic foods are worth the extra money. In essence, you want to know if you're really getting what you're paying for. Unfortunately, the answer to that question isn't always as clear as it should be. But that's starting to change -- at least in Europe. In June, the European Union (EU) established new rules for organic farming and the labeling of the products made from those crops. Now, in order to bear the EU-approved organic food logo, a product must contain at least 95 percent organic ingredients. Even better, the product label must indicate which ingredients are the organic ones. These guidelines take much of the guesswork out of grocery shopping for European consumers, making it easier for them to make healthier choices on regular trips to the market. And while organic farming still continues to be a relatively small portion of the agriculture industry (here and in Europe), there's a good chance that if more organic products get sold now that people can be sure they're getting their money's worth, more organic farms will emerge to fill the demand. Let's hope the example set by the EU makes an impression on the powers-that-be here in the U.S. In the meantime, keep in mind that local farms are some of the best sources for organic produce. The Organic Consumers' Association website, www.organicconsumers.org, offers a search tool that can help you find farmer's markets and other outlets near you that sell organic food. Just click on the "Find organics" link at the top of the page. Source:
"If it's organic, EU labels will tell it like it is," Reuters Health news, 6/12/07 | 
