Organic Food in India Asia

 

Organic food (Organic Foods) is also called ecological or biological food. Organic food is a relatively unified term for non-polluting natural food in the world. In India organic foods are getting popular at a very fast pace. Organic food usually comes from the organic agricultural production system and is produced and processed according to international organic agricultural production requirements and corresponding standards.

In addition to organic food, some derivative products such as organic cosmetics, textiles, forest products or production materials provided by organic food, including biological pesticides and organic fertilizers, are collectively referred to as organic products after certification.

Table of Contents

1. Definition ▪ Logo ▪ Differentiate 2. Main species ▪ Organic produce ▪ Judgment criteria 3. Apply for certification ▪ Certification requirements ▪ Organic certification mark ▪ Certification Difficulty ▪ Relevant regulations 4. Differences ▪ Price comparison ▪ No pollution ▪ Conventional farming ▪ Food distinctions 5. Product Benefits ▪ Healthier ▪ Tastes better ▪ Avoid disease ▪ Chemical substances ▪ Production process ▪ Favorable environment ▪ Protect the soil ▪ Not expensive 6. Food identification 7. Purchase method ▪ Website purchases ▪ Farm direct purchases ▪ Supermarkets and physical stores 8. Development 9. Ultra Organic 10. Nutrition ▪ Argument ▪ FSA research ▪ Development direction ▪ Cooking guide ▪ Keep fresh ▪ Organic industry 11. Domestic situation

 

Organic Food Definition 

In 1939, Lord Northbourne put forward the concept of organic farming in "Look to the Land", which means that the whole farm is an organic organization as a whole. In contrast,

(Chemical farming) relies on imported fertility (additional fertilization), and cannot be self-sufficient nor an organic whole (not self-sufficient, nor an organic whole).

From the analysis of the chemical composition of the substance, all foods are organic substances composed of carbon-containing compounds. They are all organic foods, and there is no non-organic food. Therefore, from the perspective of chemical composition, food is called "organic food". The statement is meaningless. So, the word "organic" here is not a chemical concept. The molecule contains carbon elements, but refers to adopting an organic farming and processing method. 

Organic food refers to all agricultural and sideline products and their processed products, including grain, edible oil, fungi, Vegetables, fruits, melons, dried fruits, dairy products, poultry products, honey, aquatic products, seasonings, etc.

The main characteristics of organic food come from the ecologically sound organic agricultural production system. The production and processing of organic food does not use chemical pesticides, chemical fertilizers, chemical preservatives and other synthetic substances, nor does it use genetically engineered organisms and their products. ecological food.

Organic food has different names in different languages. The most common name in foreign countries is ORGANIC FOOD, and it is also called ecological food and natural food in other languages. The Codex Alimentarius Commission (CODEX) of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations and the World Health Organization (FAO/WHO) collectively refers to such foods with different names but basically the same content as organic foods.

Organic Product Sign / Logo

Interpretation of the China Organic Product Logo The main pattern of the "China Organic Product Logo" consists of three parts, namely the outer circle, the middle seed figure and the surrounding circular lines.

The circle around the logo resembles the earth, symbolizing harmony and safety. The words "Chinese Organic Products" in the circle are a combination of Chinese and English. It not only shows that Chinese organic products are in line with the world, but also helps domestic and foreign consumers to identify them.

The seed-like figure in the middle of the logo represents the vitality of life when it germinates, symbolizing the whole process of certification of organic products starting from seeds, and at the same time showing that organic products are like newly sprouted seeds, growing vigorously on the land of China.

The round and free lines around the seed graphic symbolize the circular road, which is combined with the seed graphic to form the Chinese character "中", which reflects that organic products are rooted in China, and the organic road is getting wider and wider. At the same time, the flat ring is a variant of the English letter "C", and the shape of the seed is also a variant of "O", which means "China Organic".

Green represents environmental protection and health, and means that organic products bring perfection and harmony to the human ecological environment. Orange represents vigorous vitality and the role of organic products in sustainable development.

Distinguish

Food safety level

Organic food is a category of organic products, and organic products also include "non-food" such as cotton, hemp, bamboo, clothing, cosmetics, feed (organic standards include animal feed). my country's organic products mainly include grain, vegetables, fruits, livestock and poultry products (including milk, eggs, meat and related processed products), aquatic products and seasonings.

Green food refers to safe, high-quality edible agricultural products and related products that are produced in a good ecological environment, produced in accordance with green food standards, implement full-process quality control, and obtain the right to use the green food logo. 

Green food certification is based on the Ministry of Agriculture's green food industry standards. Green food allows the use of pesticides and chemical fertilizers in the production process, but the regulations on dosage and residues are usually stricter than pollution-free standards.

Pollution-free agricultural products refer to unprocessed or primary processed edible agricultural products whose production environment, production process and product quality meet the requirements of relevant national standards and norms, and which have been certified to obtain a certification certificate and are allowed to use the pollution-free agricultural product logo. Pesticides and chemical fertilizers are allowed to be used in the production of pollution-free agricultural products, but highly toxic and high-residue pesticides prohibited by the state cannot be used.

Main Varieties 

Organic produce

Organic food mainly includes general organic agricultural products (such as organic miscellaneous grains, organic fruits, organic vegetables, etc.), organic tea products, organic edible fungus products, organic livestock and poultry products, organic aquatic products, organic bee products, organic milk powder, and collected wild products And processed products using the above products as raw materials. The organic food sold in the domestic market mainly includes vegetables, rice, tea, honey, goat milk powder, organic miscellaneous grains, organic fruits, organic vegetables, etc.

Judgment criteria

1. Raw materials come from organic agricultural production system or wild natural products.

2. During the production and processing of organic food, the standards for the production, collection, processing, packaging, storage and transportation of organic food must be strictly followed.

3. A strict quality management system, production process control system and tracking system must be established during the production and processing of organic food, so there is generally a conversion period; this conversion process generally takes 2-3 years before it can be approved as organic food .

4. Organic food must be certified by a legal organic food certification agency

 

Apply for a Certified Organic Status

Certification requirements

Organic food refers to all agricultural and sideline products that come from the organic agricultural production system, are produced and processed in accordance with international organic agricultural production requirements and corresponding standards, and have been certified by an independent organic food certification agency, including grain, vegetables, fruits, dairy products, poultry, etc. Livestock products, aquatic products, spices, etc.

Basic requirements for organic food production:

The production base has not used pesticides, fertilizers and other prohibited substances within three years;

The seeds or seedlings come from nature and have not been modified by genetic engineering techniques.

Production units need to establish long-term plans for land fertilization, plant protection, crop rotation and livestock and poultry breeding.

No soil erosion and other environmental problems in the production base.

Crops are not contaminated by chemicals during harvesting, cleaning, drying, storage and transportation.

It takes more than two years to switch from conventional planting to organic planting, except for newly reclaimed wasteland;

The whole production process must have a complete record file.

Basic requirements for organic food processing:

Raw materials must be products that have obtained their own organic certification or wild pollution-free natural products;

Raw materials that have obtained organic certification account for no less than 95% of the final product;

Only use auxiliary raw materials such as natural seasonings, pigments and spices, without synthetic additives.

Organic food should avoid chemical pollution during production, processing, storage and transportation;

The processing process must have complete file records, including corresponding bills. 

Organic certification mark

The certification marks of organic certification agencies in various countries are printed on the packaging of organic products, and you can identify organic products by recognizing the organic marks. 

Common organic certification marks are:

Certification Difficulty

The new standards for organic food certification are very strict. In addition to the organic certification label and certification unit, the individual packaging of organic vegetables also needs to have a 17-digit organic code for consumers to trace the source and identify the authenticity. At the same time, the standard also stipulates that every product applying for organic certification must be tested once every time it is produced. In addition, one of the major changes in the new regulations is that the "indicators of pesticide residues" must not be detected. This requirement can only be described as "strict". Residues" are required not to be detected, which is "scary high" for bases and enterprises.

Relevant regulation

In India: India Organic is a certification mark for organically farmed food products manufactured in India. The certification mark certifies that an organic food product confirms to the National Standards for Organic Products established in 2000.

Those standards ensures that the product or the raw materials used in the product were grown through organic farming, without the use of chemical fertilizers, pesticides, or induced hormones. The certification is issued by testing centres accredited by the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) under the National Program for Organic Production of the Government of India.

 

Even though the standards are in effect since 2000, the certification scheme and hence the certification mark came into existence in 2002.

 

Jaivik Bharat

Just like green & red dots on products to signify if they are vegetarian or non-vegetarian, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) in December 2017, introduced the Jaivik Bharat logo to help customers identify authentic organic food.

Food safety regulator FSSAI has permitted small organic producers, having an annual turnover of over Rs 12 lakh, to sell their produce directly to end consumers without certification till April 2020, but can not use 'Jaivik Bharat logo' on their products. Organizations are encouraging government to promote the Jaivik Bharat logo and certification process to make organic food more trustworthy and easy to recognize in India.

The management system and regulations of international organic agriculture and agricultural products are mainly divided into three levels: the United Nations level, the international non-governmental organization level and the national level. 

Organic agriculture and organic agricultural product standards at the United Nations level are still advisory standards, which are part of the Food Code and formulated by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the World Health Organization (WHO). 

Throughout the standard formulation process, China, as a member of the United Nations, also participated in the formulation. Specific content includes definitions, seeds and seedlings, transition period, chemical use, harvesting, trade and internal quality control, etc. In addition, the standard also specifies the inspection, certification and authorization system for organic agricultural products. This standard has provided an important basis for each member state to formulate organic agriculture standards. However, it is still unclear whether the United Nations organic agriculture standard can become a mandatory standard. 

Once it becomes a mandatory standard, it will become the legal basis for the WTO to arbitrate the international trade of organic agricultural products.

Difference 

Price comparison

According to a survey on the organic food market in Beijing and Shanghai, the price of organic food is generally 30%-80% higher than that of ordinary food, and the price of some varieties, such as organic vegetables, is 2-3 times that of ordinary vegetables.

Pollution-free

Whether food is contaminated is a relative concept. There is no food in the world that does not contain any pollutants. 

Since the production process of organic food does not use chemically synthesized substances, the content of pollutants in organic food is generally lower than that of ordinary food. Testing, while ignoring the purpose of quality control in the whole process of organic food production.

 

Conventional agriculture

In many cases, there may be yield losses at the beginning of the conversion, especially in areas that were previously heavily dependent on chemical fertilizers and pesticides. However, in areas where pesticides and chemical fertilizers were used less, organic planting may not reduce production, but may increase production on the contrary. 

The reason is:

1. Through crop rotation, intercropping and various planting, the diversity of agricultural production systems is improved;

2. By returning crop straw to the field (or returning it to the field after making compost), the nutrient cycle in the farmland is promoted;

3. Better use of organic matter in the surrounding ecosystem;

4. Combining aquaculture and planting has improved the management level of nutrients.

Organic food is not allowed to use chemical pesticides According to Fan Zhihong, associate professor of the Department of Nutrition and Food Safety, School of Food Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, organic food is not allowed to use chemically synthesized pesticides.

In the production process of organic agricultural products, there are strict regulations on all aspects. First of all, in the process of planting or breeding organic food, chemical fertilizers, hormones and genetically modified substances must not be used. The land for growing organic agricultural products, its irrigation water, and ambient air quality all need to comply with relevant regulations.

Organic food strictly limits the type and amount of additives. Organic crop fertilizers generally use animal manure or crop waste in the organic agricultural system to compost waste that is not polluted by chemical components to increase soil fertility, and also add minerals obtained by physical methods. Substances, such as phosphorus, potassium, magnesium and other elements.

Organic agriculture generally adopts non-chemical methods to prevent insects, such as natural insect repellents such as mint and natural pyrethrum (extract), or natural insect repellent substances such as lime and sulfur, as well as bacterial and fungal insect repellants such as Bacillus thuringiensis.

Food difference

Other food symbols that are promoted by relevant departments in our country include pollution-free food and green food. Pollution-free food is produced in accordance with the technical standards and requirements of pollution-free food production, meets general hygiene standards and is safe food certified by relevant departments. Strictly speaking, pollution-free food should be a basic requirement that ordinary food should meet.

Green food is a kind of food developed by the agricultural department of our country in the early 1990s. It is divided into A-level green food and AA-level green food. Among them, limited use of chemically synthesized production materials is allowed in the production of A-level green food, and AA-level green food is strictly required not to use chemically synthesized fertilizers, pesticides, feed additives, food additives and other harmful to the environment and health in the production process. substance. In essence, green food is a transition product from ordinary food to organic food. 

The difference between organic food and other food is reflected in the following aspects:

1) Organic food absolutely prohibits the use of artificial synthetic substances such as pesticides, fertilizers, and hormones during its production and processing, and does not allow the use of genetic engineering technology; while other foods allow limited use of these technologies, and do not prohibit the use of genetic engineering technology . For example, there is no regulation on the use of genetic engineering and radiation technology in green food.

2) In terms of production transformation, it takes 2-3 years to switch from producing other foods to organic food, but there is no requirement for a conversion period to produce other foods (including green food and pollution-free food).

3) In terms of quantity control, the certification of organic food requires fixed plots and fixed output, while other foods do not have such strict requirements.

Therefore, the production of organic food is much more difficult than the production of other foods. It is necessary to establish a new production system and monitoring system, and to adopt corresponding alternative technologies such as pest control, soil protection, seed cultivation, product processing and storage.

Product Benefits

Healthier

Studies have shown that organic products contain more iron, magnesium, calcium and other trace elements and vitamin C, while the content of heavy metals and carcinogenic nitrates is lower.

Tastes better

Organic farming advocates maintaining the natural ingredients of the product, thus maintaining the original taste of the food.

Avoids disease

Intensive animal feeding makes it easy to spread diseases, while organic agriculture requires open animal feeding, which allows animals to have space to stretch out, enhance animal resistance, and reduce the chance of disease transmission.

Chemical material

Under the concept of organic production, all production and processing processes are only allowed to use chemical substances under limited conditions.

Production process

Under the concept of organic production, any genetically modified organisms and their derivatives are not allowed to be used in all production and processing processes.

Favorable environment

Organic production encourages the use of natural materials, appropriate fertilization and irrigation, reduces waste of resources, and increases biodiversity in and around the farm.

Protect the soil

Soil degradation and pollution are becoming more and more serious, and soil is the basic element of food production, and human beings must protect it. 

The soil protection measures required by organic agriculture are to restore and maintain the vitality of the soil, so that the soil can continue to provide sufficient and high-quality food for human beings.

Not expensive

The scale of organic production is small, the investment in manpower is large, and the risk cost and transportation cost are relatively high, so the price of organic products is naturally more expensive. However, conventional agriculture does not take environmental costs such as pollution and soil fertility into account. 

If environmental costs are reflected in prices, the prices of conventional agricultural products and organic agricultural products will be similar. More importantly, if you eat healthy green food for a long time, you can obviously feel that your immunity has increased, and your physical fitness will also improve. This is a normal phenomenon in which toxins are gradually eliminated from the body.

Food Identification

First of all, check whether the label has the words "ORGANIC" in English and the words "Organic Products in China" in Chinese. Next, look at the icons and notice the difference between organic and transition foods.

For processed products with an organic ingredient content equal to or higher than 95%, the words "organic" can be marked on the product or product packaging and labels; processed products with an organic ingredient content below 95% but equal to or higher than 70% can be marked with " "Organic ingredient production"; if it is a processed product with an organic ingredient content of less than 70%, it can only indicate a certain ingredient as "organic" in the product ingredient list.

How to buy organic food?

Website purchase

Have you ever tried to buy organic grains and oils, pollution-free vegetables and even meat, eggs and milk online? Just click, click, click a few times on the computer keyboard, there are hundreds of kinds of safe ingredients available for purchase, and you can shop around without leaving home, and you can always find the lowest price. All you have to do after placing an order is wait for the ingredients to be delivered to your door. The advantage is that there is a wide selection of products and they can be delivered to your door. 

The disadvantage is that you need to add extra shipping costs and you can’t pick them by hand.

Farm Direct

If you lock in organic food for a long time, direct purchase from organic farms is a good choice. Taking a well-known organic farm as an example, the food is delivered to the door twice a week (3 kg each time), and the annual price is US$1177.55. It not only eliminates the trouble of buying vegetables, but also guarantees the exact place of origin, and the daily cost is only US$3.22. 

Moreover, there are members picking activities every year, which is equivalent to giving free farmhouse trips. But the problem is that organic farms generally do not provide meat in addition to rice grains and vegetables, which means that they need to purchase additional meat dishes such as chicken, duck and fish, and it is a big worry to wait for the food to be delivered every week.

Supermarkets and Physical Stores

There is a reason why women love shopping, even if it is not for possession, they will feel satisfied when looking at the dazzling array of neatly stacked goods. Similarly, in high-end food stores with exquisite packaging and warm styles or in the imported goods section of supermarkets, before the appetite is not satisfied, the eyes have already enjoyed the beauty of "freshness". But the problem is, considering the store rent and personnel costs, the price here is much higher than other channels, and no woman is willing to often carry 5 kg of rice and a basket of vegetables, so buying grain and oil products is not unavoidable. And "strength" is insufficient.

Development status 

Asia's organic food is in a period of rapid development, but mainly for export. Because organic food is very popular in the international market and export profits are relatively high, many manufacturers are more inclined to export. India is one of the major organic foods exporter.

In 2005, China's organic food industry had 416 enterprises certified by China Green Huaxia, and the number of product categories was 1,249; the domestic sales of products were 3.71 billion yuan, and the export was 136 million U.S. dollars; the total certified area reached 1.655 million hectares, of which the certified The largest area is wild collection, 695,900 hectares, followed by processing industry, 638,200 hectares, fishery, 167,400 hectares, animal husbandry, 90,700 hectares, and planting, 62,800 hectares.

By the end of 2006, the number of enterprises certified by China Green Huaxia had reached 601 (including the conversion period), the number of products was 2,647, the certified area was 2.64 million hectares, the total amount of products was 2.11 million tons, and the sales volume of products was 6.17 billion yuan. Amount of 160 million US dollars. 

The number of certified enterprises, certified area, and total product volume account for 26%, 50%, and 56% of the country's total, respectively. The development speed and total volume rank first in the domestic organic certification industry. 

By the end of 2006, the Chinese domestic sales of organic food reached 5.6 billion yuan. In 2007, the market size had reached 6.17 billion yuan, and there were more than 2,300 domestic organic food manufacturers.

In order to develop China's organic food industry, the government must provide strong support in terms of policy and economy. Enterprises must seize opportunities, change their concepts, give full play to their own advantages, effectively solve the problems of organic food production technology, and open up domestic and international markets. During the "Eleventh Five-Year Plan" period, the relevant departments of the Chinese government will vigorously promote the development of the organic food industry in accordance with the responsibilities of "guiding, regulating, cultivating, and supervising". 

China's organic food industry has great potential and good market prospects. Developing the organic food industry is the best way to prevent rural and agricultural pollution. Relevant state departments will increase support and formulate industrial development plans.

Ultra Organic 

The concept of "super organic" has been "hot" for several years. From 2008 to the present, CCTV Economic Channel's "Economy Half Hour" column has carried out several publicity reports on the concept of "super organic" under the titles of "Behind the Summer Grain Harvest" and "Food Safety's 'San'an Model'". Dating back to September 29, 2009, CCTV Economic Channel introduced the signing ceremony of the strategic cooperation between Sanan and Germany under the title "China's Super Organic Food Is Expected to Enter the European Market". "This signing is expected to allow China's ultra-organic food to enter the German and even European markets."

Wei Gang believes that Zhang Lingyu's "life information regulation technology" is very effective. "Using Sanan's technological achievements, we can create new drugs that are safe and highly effective in treating difficult diseases such as AIDS, leukemia, various tumors, diabetes, hyperlipidemia, and uremia. The gene expression of microorganisms is controlled by an alternating electric field, making the microorganisms ferment The post-generated microbial preparations can resist pests, increase soil fertility, absorb heavy metals in the soil, etc. Therefore, we don’t use the labor-intensive set of organic agriculture. 

Organic agriculture has a transformation period, and organic agriculture has various effects on the land. No matter the heavy metal pollution or poor soil fertility, San’an ultra-organic agriculture can be planted.” “The concept of organic is not whether there are pesticide residues in the final product, but the emphasis on the whole production. The whole process is controlled according to organic standardization." Guo Chunmin said, "The premise of super-organic planting is that various degradation agents have been used, which has run counter to organic production and is not comparable at all."

With the continuous improvement of living standards, organic food has entered the table of more and more families. Compared with traditional food, organic food is grown or cultivated in a pollution-free environment. 

Not only does it not use chemical substances such as pesticides, fertilizers, and growth regulators, but it must pass quality certification from professional institutions before it can enter the market.

Nutrition 

Argument

In 1958, the British Food Standards Agency commissioned the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine to conduct research on the nourishment of organic food.

Over the ensuing 50 years, scientists first conducted 160 independent trials comparing the nutritional content of organic and conventional foods, only to find that both had higher levels of nutrients critical to human health, such as vitamins and minerals. There is no difference at all. A subsequent 50 trials focused on the effects of organic foods on the human body, but also failed to find sufficient evidence that they had a higher nutritional value. 

In 2009, the UK's Food Standards Agency (FSA) published the study, which assessed differences in the nutritional levels of organically produced fruit, vegetables, meat, eggs and dairy products compared to their non-organic counterparts. 

A research team from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine systematically reviewed 162 published research results on the comparison of the nutritional value of 3,558 foods in the 50 years from January 1958 to February 2008. 

The research team specifically stated in the first paragraph of the FSA report that this study did not focus on organic farming or the impact of pesticides on the environment. This study only focuses on the comparison of nutritional components. This is a complete and rigorous study.

Certain minerals (conventional crops were higher in nitrogen; organic crops were higher in magnesium and zinc), phytonutrients (phenolic compounds and flavonoids were higher in organic crops) high) and sugars (higher in organic crops) there were significant differences (Significant differences). 

When the analysis was limited to studies of acceptable quality, the only significant differences between organically produced and conventionally produced crop compositions were total nitrogen (higher in conventional crops), phosphorus (higher in organic crops), and titratable acidity (higher in organic crops). higher crops).

*Soluble solids mainly refer to soluble sugars, including monosaccharides, disaccharides, and polysaccharides (except starch, cellulose, chitin, and hemicellulose are insoluble in water). The sugar in the fruit juice we drink is generally above 100g/L (based on glucose), mainly sucrose, glucose and fructose, the soluble solids can reach about 9%.

**Titratable acidity is one of the important constituent traits of plant quality, especially for fruit tree crops whose purpose is fruit. Titratable acidity, like sugar, is an important factor affecting the quality of fruit flavor. 

For fresh varieties, generally speaking, high sugar and medium acid, strong flavor and high quality, for processed varieties, high sugar and high acid are required. Therefore, the quantitative study of titratable acid is of great significance to the quality breeding of fruit trees.

Dr Alan Dancourt of the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, who led the study, described the latest report as "the most comprehensive analysis of the nutritional value of organic foods to date". "Our work shows that the claim that organic food is more nutritious has not been supported by stronger evidence," he said. 

Organic food can be sold for a better price. And organic food sellers cleverly exploit consumers' fear of mad cow disease and E. coli to hype organic food. Reaction in the British press was polarized: some claimed the findings were a satire on the luxury shopping habits of the bourgeoisie, while others attacked the findings as an insult to common sense.

FSA research

Excellent, it's clearly unscientific for the organic food industry to attack the findings instead of advocating their validity. 

Those other reasons for choosing organic are enough for farmers to continue to support organic agriculture. For example, to protect the soil, avoid pesticide residues, improve animal husbandry conditions or simply to taste better food.

Some loyal supporters of organic food actually no longer regard organic food as just a kind of food, or even regard it as their own belief. Many of them have a natural aversion to the unnatural. They believe that all natural objects, such as a flower and a grass, have their own unique and unalterable properties. This is also the reason why biotechnology, especially genetically modified technology, is excluded in the regulations of organic food. "In fact, pure natural is not necessarily good for human beings."

Regardless of whether organic is a way of crop production or a fashion, Meng Fanqiao, a professor at the School of Resources and Environment of China Agricultural University, believes that, judging from common sense, organic food will not be healthier and safer than traditional food. The food regulatory department in China can dismiss the get out of class."

Meng Fanqiao said that the British research results show that traditional food is as healthy and safe as organic food (if they are done according to food production standards), there is no doubt. "

Direction of development

How will organic food and even organic agriculture develop in the future? Alexi’s point of view is also very clear: organic food has little room for growth in the future. 

From the perspective of cost performance, so-called organic food is far inferior to ordinary food. Organic agriculture is not only expensive, but also the least advantageous food production method for ecological environment protection. 

Intensive agriculture can use various best methods to solve production problems. "Whether organic food or organic agriculture is good, the biggest feature is that it opposes technology and advocates nature. 

Of course, it is unlikely that it will disappear, because there will always be a group of people who respect organic food devoutly."

Meng Fanqiao believes that the issue of organic food in China is not whether it should be developed, but how to develop it. In response to experts' opinions that China's 1.3 billion people will starve to death if they all develop organic agriculture, he said that he did not say that there should be a "one size fits all" approach, and he did not say that all of them should be planted with organic agriculture. "Since there is a demand for organic food in society, why should its development be stifled? There are always different levels of consumption in this society. It is worth considering how to develop 1% or 80%."

Meng Fanqiao said that the development of organic agriculture in China seems to be somewhat chaotic. 

Although the State Certification and Accreditation Administration inspects organic food certification agencies every year, the level of certification agencies is still uneven. In order to earn more money, some certifying agencies do not hesitate to give the green light to products that do not meet organic food standards. 

If a certification body can regulate itself, the market for organic food may be much better.

"However, it will be difficult for the organic food market, and China's entire food market, to be truly clean within at least ten years. Only when the society establishes a universal integrity system, will this day come."

Cooking guide

Organic food is full of nutrients, but the wrong cooking method can destroy these essences, and produce toxins and waste products at the same time. How to cook organic food? Because organic food has a shorter shelf life, is delicious, and does not contain pesticides, chemical additives, and genetically modified ingredients, Dr. Westwood specifically recommends:

·Purchase organic food 2-3 times a week and try to eat it fresh; if you can’t purchase it in time, you can store it in the freezer (about minus 18 degrees).

The temperature of the refrigerator can be kept at about 5 degrees, organic fresh fish can be stored for about 12 hours, organic poultry for about 24 hours, organic red meat for about 48 hours, organic milk for 2-3 days, and organic eggs for 1-2 weeks.

No need to peel, because about 50% of the nutrients are usually distributed in the plant epidermis.

No need to soak for a long time, otherwise the water-soluble vitamins will be lost;

·Try to eat raw (except for grain), if heating and cooking, use as low a temperature as possible or as short a time as possible.

Choose organic whole grains or whole grains, such as brown rice, wheat grains and beans.

Put less seasoning, because the taste of organic food itself is very delicious.

You can use lemon juice or orange juice instead of salt.

·If you use salt, the first choice is natural sea salt, followed by low-sodium salt.

Use natural mineral water or reverse osmosis filtered water for cooking, do not use or use less tap water for cooking soup.

· The best utensils are glass and ceramic, because they will not react with food, avoid or use less plastic, metal and paper utensils.

If you don't know the dangers of heat cooking, here's how much various storage and cooking methods can damage food nutrition:

Keep Fresh

Water-soluble vitamins in fresh meat, vegetables and fruits can easily lose more than half in storage. For example, if spinach and asparagus are stored at room temperature for three days, 50%-70% of folic acid will be lost. The loss of freshness in the refrigerator will be smaller.

Freezing in the refrigerator can destroy about 50% of water-soluble vitamins and about 25% of fat-soluble vitamins. For example, frozen vegetables can lose about 47% of vitamin B group, especially vitamin B5 (pantothenic acid) and B6, and about 20% of beta-carotene. The situation is similar for frozen meat.

·70%-80% of vitamins are lost in cans and bottles.

·Dehydration and drying lose about 50% of vitamin C and part of vitamin A.

·100% of enzymes, 90% of folic acid, 70% of vitamin C, part of vitamin B group, and part of DHA are lost by cooking; minerals are "inorganized", and the absorption rate decreases. The blanching loss will be smaller.

·Steaming loses 100% enzymes, part of vitamin C and vitamin B family, and part of DHA, but less than boiling.

·Frying loses 100% enzymes, part of vitamin C and vitamin B complex, and part of DHA, resulting in free radicals.

· Roasting loses 100% enzymes, 20% vitamin B group (especially thiamine), part of vitamin C, part of vitamin E and part of DHA, resulting in free radicals.

Loss of 100% of enzymes, most of vitamin C and vitamin B group, 50% of vitamin E; protein distorted and loss of up to 70%, especially glutamic acid, lysine and methionine; loss of most of DHA; production of large amounts of free base.

Microwave oven loses 100% of enzymes, most of DHA, part of vitamin B group and vitamin C. Produces carcinogens.

Organic corn is 19 yuan per catty, and organic yam is 17.5 yuan per catty.

Organic food known for its environmental protection and health can be found everywhere in major supermarkets. Due to concerns about food additives, pesticide residues, growth hormones and other issues, consumers are increasingly favoring it.

Organic carrots are 12 yuan per catty, ordinary carrots are 2.5 yuan per catty; organic winter melons are 4 yuan per catty, ordinary winter melons are 1.8 yuan per catty. Organic Dutch cucumbers are 12 yuan per catty, and ordinary Dutch cucumbers are 3.4 yuan per catty..

In the Walmart Shanghai Wujiaochang store, organic tomatoes, organic green peppers, organic corn and other organic foods are also common in the fruit and vegetable section, and the prices are obviously much higher than conventional foods, and some are even more than ten times higher.

A clerk at the vegetable counter at the Shanghai Carrefour Xincun Road store said that due to the high price, the number of customers who buy organic vegetables cannot be compared with those who buy conventional vegetables, but there are not many loyal customers of organic vegetables.

Identify

"Organic" or not?

A a lot of rice with the words "organic" printed on the packaging in the market has not been certified by relevant standards, and the price is still high. It is difficult to distinguish whether it is organic or not.

Ma Zhiying, chief engineer of the Shanghai Food Research Institute, said, "As far as I know, there are not many foods that are truly organic in the market. Whether the products marked as 'organic food' can really meet the organic product standards is still a question mark."

Ma Zhiying said that it is difficult for ordinary consumers to identify whether a product is organic food from the appearance. They can only see whether the label on the product is standardized and whether the certification body is an authority recognized by the state.

Mr. Wang Lin, who has been choosing organic food for a long time, also admitted that he is not sure whether the things he buys are really organic food or not. "Since it says so, it's better than nothing. Although it's quite expensive, it's just for peace of mind."

Organic food is not necessarily good

Ma Zhiying believes that the production cost of real organic products will be very high, and the high price is a matter of course. But from a nutritional point of view, the nutritional value of organic food is not necessarily higher than conventional food. For example, there is not much difference between organic vegetables and ordinary vegetables in terms of vitamins and trace elements.

Yun Wuxin, Ph.D. in food engineering from the Department of Agriculture and Biology of Purdue University, said that consumers prefer organic food because they think it is safe and nutritious. However, a previous study by the British Food Standards Agency showed that organic products and conventional products are Differences in nutrition can be hard to spot. 

Dozens of countries enforce national standards for organic products, but there aren't many official agencies claiming that organic products are superior to conventional products in terms of nutrition, taste or safety. On the other hand, due to the extremely high requirements on environmental factors in the production process of organic food, and the soil, moisture and other environments are difficult to control, "safety" is not necessarily much better than conventional products.

Yun Wuxin pointed out: "From a certain point of view, the only thing that makes organic food valuable is consumers' belief that they'd rather have it."

Experts believe that due to limited conditions, the production scale of organic food is relatively limited, and ordinary consumers do not need to buy organic food specifically for the pursuit of nutrition.

Organic industry

1. It is necessary to combine the local market and define the positioning and development strategy.

No matter what you do, you must have a positioning, and the same is true for organic products. As organic products become more and more abundant, it is very important to choose marketable products to meet the needs of the regional market. Combining local resources, clarify its own positioning and development strategy in order to maintain a leading position in the increasingly fierce market.

There are many organic food specialty stores that have closed down, which is a normal phenomenon. On the one hand, the awareness of the market is not enough, on the one hand, there is indeed a problem of insufficient purchasing power, and more importantly, many companies only sell it as no different from ordinary food, and eventually go bankrupt due to poor management.

The author believes that the formation, development and growth of an industry, and the strengthening and expansion of the organic food industry must go through a process.

2. The upgrade of organic specialty stores is imminent

The positioning of many organic specialty stores is not clear, leading to a series of problems in store location selection, product procurement, store decoration and display, and promotion services, which urgently need to be upgraded. For example, the Shanghai Hexin organic specialty store has been renamed as a health food specialty store. It will be connected with the vital interests of consumers, making it easier for unfamiliar customers to enter the store to understand and purchase.

As a service terminal, organic specialty stores have not been brought into full play, which is a common problem faced by all organic terminals. In addition, the manufacturers are only in the supply stage, and there is little pull and promotion to the terminal, and the sales to organizations have not been systematically strengthened, resulting in the natural sales status of some organic products, so they are unsalable.

At the same time, many consumers are not eager to consume organic food, so a large-scale campaign is needed. The plan of hundreds of cities and thousands of stores will continue to involve more organic investors, and realize regional linkage and joint procurement. , in the form of joint promotion, to wake up the market and expand the market.

In short, organic food is a high-end food product, some products are not as expensive as imagined, such as organic rice, can be popularized completely, and some distinctive products can also be used as food for special groups, such as pregnant women and children The essential food and gift market is also a huge space worthy of development. Grasping the pulse of the market, combining social hotspots, and deeply understanding organic concepts and knowledge, doing a good job in organic food, a business with a bright future, can achieve higher returns.

Domestic situation edit broadcast

my country's organic food industry has maintained a rapid development trend, has a certain development foundation, and the brand influence continues to expand. my country has become the fourth largest organic food consumption country in the world. Chen Chen, a researcher in the food industry of CIC Consulting, believes that my country's organic food industry is growing rapidly, and there is huge room for development in the international market. 

The agricultural foundation is solid, and the concept of health and the environment is gradually deepening among the masses. This is a powerful force for promoting organic consumption. power.

According to the data from the Ministry of Agriculture, at present, the global organic food market is growing at a rate of 20% to 30%, while my country's organic food industry has maintained a good development trend. There are about 50 categories of organic and organic conversion products in my country, with 400-500 varieties, including vegetables, beans, miscellaneous grains, aquatic products, and wild-collected products. 

By the end of 2012, China Green China Organic Food Certification Center had certified 850 enterprises, with a total product volume of 1.955 million tons and a certified area of 2.469 million hectares, including 126,000 hectares of planting area, 600,000 hectares of grazing area, and 249,000 hectares of water area. The collection area is 1.494 million hectares.

In the next ten years, China's organic agricultural production area and product production will increase by 20%-30% annually, accounting for 1-1.5% of the agricultural product production area, reaching 18-23 million mu; the proportion of organic food exports in agricultural product exports will reach or more than 5%, but some organic food will still rely on imports, especially dairy products, wine, cosmetics, textiles, chocolate, oats, sugar, fruits and other products.

China will become the fourth largest organic food consumer, organic food is expected to account for The demand for Chinese organic food in the international organic food market will reach or exceed 5%.

Chen Chen, a researcher in the food industry of CIC Consulting, believes that the pursuit of pure natural and pollution-free organic food consumption has become a fashion pursued by people, especially consumers in industrialized countries are very fond of organic food. With the improvement of people's living standards and attention to health and environmental protection, the organic food consumption market also has great potential. The development of my country's organic food industry is growing rapidly, and there is huge room for development in the international market.

According to the "2009-2012 China Organic Food Market Investment Analysis and Prospect Forecast Report" by CIC Consulting, it is estimated that the global organic food market will reach US$100 billion in 2012. At the same time, the demand for Chinese organic products in the international market is also increasing year by year.