Organic Foods Can Contain Non-Organic Ingredients

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture standards, a food product can be labeled as "100% Organic," "Organic," or "made with organic ingredients." To be 100% Organic, the item can only contain organically produced ingredients. "Organic" means that 95% of the ingredients listed must be organically grown.
However, a few years ago the USDA formalized their list of ingredients that are exempt from the above, as a result of petitions from suppliers alleging that they are too difficult to source in organic forms. So there is a list of 38 ingredients that don't have to be organic even if a food is labeled as such. These include celery powder, sausage casings, some colorings, fish oils, hops and others.


Source: Daily Green

Ice Cream, Frozen Custard, Gelato or Sorbet?

Summer requires some ice cream, and kids love it!!! There are a variety of versions in the market. Learn the difference, and pick the healthier ones. We bet kids won't notice.

Ice Cream - must contain no less than 10% milkfat. Many low-fat ice creams and certainly all fat-free ice creams are not true to the definition from the FDA.
Frozen Custard - is the same as ice cream except with a higher concentration of egg yolks, making the dessert richer.  
Gelato - incorporates less air than ice cream, and less butterfat too (3-10%). In a nutshell, it is denser and less fattening than regular ice cream.
Sherbet - is a frozen pasteurized mixture of fruit and water that can contain milk or another dairy ingredient. It contains between 1-2% milkfat.
Sorbet - is technically a water ice in terms of the FDA. Prepared the same as a sherbet except that it does not have to be pasteurized and it contains no milk or eggs, except possibly egg whites.


Make your choice! There are better versions including organic ingredients, yogurt and real fruits with natural colors. All delicious.


Sources: FDA.gov, Yahoo, Bon Apettit

What is On Your Food? Find Out....

We came across a quite useful online tool to find out levels of pesticide in food items. The Pesticide Action Network's online database compares organic to conventional food, and describes in details levels of pesticides of common items that we eat and drink on a regular basis. It is sourced by the official USDA database.

Visit www.whatsonmyfood.org and click on a food to find out the details.
Check it out. It is a free tool!

Great News for Organic Food Eaters

The US Department of Agriculture will begin enforcing rules requiring the spot testing of organically grown foods for traces of pesticides, after an auditor exposed major gaps in federal oversight of the organic food industry.


The testing for pesticide residues is expected to begin in September. It will be done by the network of independent certifying agents that are already accredited by the department to inspect and certify organic growers, processors and handlers.

Source: NYTimes.com