Bare Health

Friday 1 September 2017

Get Ready For Organic September!



With Organic September launching on the 1st September, the Soil Association will begin its annual national campaign to raise of the benefits of organic. But what does organic really mean?

Many people are now choosing organic fruit and vegetables to avoid the chemical sprays used in intensive farming. The term ‘organic’ is highly regulated, therefore growers and producers cannot claim organic without certification – the highest standard offered by the Soil Association.

According to the Soil Association, organic means:

  • ·         Fewer pesticides


Almost 300 pesticides can routinely be used in non-organic farming. Many of these remain in the food we eat, despite washing and cooking.

  • ·         No artificial colours and preservatives

Hydrogenated fats and controversial artificial food colours and preservatives are all banned by organic standards.

  • ·         Always free range

Organic means the very highest animal welfare standards.

  • ·         No routine use of antibiotics

Organic means happier, healthier animals raised without the need for routine use of antibiotics.

  • ·         No GM ingredients

GM ingredients and crops are banned under Soil Association standards.
In fact an international team of experts led by Newcastle University has shown that organic crops are up to 60% higher in a number of key antioxidants than conventionally-grown ones.
Analysing 343 studies into the compositional differences between organic and conventional crops, the team found that a switch to eating organic fruit, vegetable and cereals – and food made from them – would provide additional antioxidants equivalent to eating between 1-2 extra portions of fruit and vegetables a day.

This adds more support to the Soil Association’s campaign that organic food is beneficial for good health and achieving wellbeing. This year’s campaign message being ‘organic is food as it should be, better for the environment and animal welfare’ and with the #ChooseOrganic hashtag on social media.

Remember, eating or incorporating organic into your diet and lifestyle does not always mean paying for more - it can be the small switches to your weekly shop. Eg swapping your normal pasta for an organic variety. See if you can taste the difference! Besides there are many organic alternatives becoming more widely available ranging from organic teas, dairy products, sauces, cereals and nutritional supplements. Go visit your local health food store to discover the array of organic options.  How do you know if product is certified organic? Look for the Soil Association certification logo. For more information about organic visit: www.soilassociation.org.

Bare Health in Congleton will be joining the campaign’s Organic September Saturday on 16th September - a dedicated day of organic in the independent retailers. For nutritional advice,  ideas of how to incorporate organic into your lifestyle and free product sampling please pop in. We’d be delighted to see you.