The Australian organic food market is growing. Around 58% of people are choosing to purchase all or part of their food certified organic and the industry is estimated to be worth $1.72 billion dollars a year.
But let’s consider what most people consume in Australia.
The SAD (Standard Australian Diet) is hardly worth certifying organic. It includes foods low in fat, low in sugar and low in salt like breakfast cereals, margarine, low fat milk and packaged and processed foods filled with dubious additives for flavour, colour and preservatives.
When you see a product certified organic with the following ingredients: organic corn, organic palm olein oil, cheese flavour 5% (whey powder, salt, lactose, vegetable powders, sugar, yeast extract, natural flavour (milk), colour, food acid (296), cheese flavour, spices and spice extract, you have just entered the world of organic, natural, non-GMO, sustainable, ultra-processed, junk food.
What’s the point in buying certified organic packaged food when it’s still laced with additives made in a chemical laboratory? Organic is about decreasing the chemical load put into our body, not adding to it. The US-based Environmental Working Group (EWG) has been reporting on the ‘Dirty Dozen’ and ‘Clean Fifteen’ fruit and vegetables for 14 years. Its recommendations are to buy the dirty dozen organically as these are subjected to high levels of pesticides. Other foods, the clean fifteen, are generally subjected to less pesticides so it is less important that you buy them organically.
The ‘Dirty Dozen’ includes food such as: Apples, Celery, Cherry Tomatoes, Cucumbers, Grapes, Nectarines, Strawberries, Spinach, Potatoes, Sweet Bell Peppers, Peppers and Kale/Collard Greens. The ‘Clean Fifteen’ includes: Asparagus, Avocados, Cabbage, Rock Melon, Cauliflower, Eggplant, Grapefruit, Kiwi, Mangoes Onions, Papayas, Pineapples, Sweet Corn, Sweet Peas and Sweet Potatoes. *(Environmental Working Group (EWG).
However, Food Standards Australia and New Zealand (FSANZ) says that this doesn’t apply in Australia. I’m not so quick to take its advice. Talking with farmers, conventional or otherwise, I’m learning what can be sprayed on food, around food and near food pre-harvest and after harvest. In Australia, there is a total of 146 different chemicals that could be in our food, and this amount has increased over the past five years.
I live and aim to educate people about a real food diet. Purchasing foods from your local small farmers and supporting the economy in your area and the people who live and work there is key. Talk to your farmer at the markets, they may not be certified organic, but they will tell you their philosophy and the chemicals they spray or don’t spray.
I purchase all my fresh produce from my local farmers, which includes, meat that is grass fed without chemicals sprayed on the land, eggs from my local producer, chickens that are organic and free range from my local butcher and for my fish I go to the local fish shop and only buy wild caught from our oceans. For my fruit, herbs and vegetables, I purchase from a farmer who has a co-op with other farmers in the area. I subscribe to a box a week – it’s always a surprise but all is organic. For my dairy, I purchase from local producers in the area. As for foods that are not in my local area, I go to a trusted source to buy my nuts, seeds, butters, spices, salt, sugar, flours, etc. Changing Habits Marketplace is my go to. This may sound like a lot of work, and you may have to do some initial research, but once you have all the info in your local area, it becomes easier.
Food free from chemicals is important – making sure you purchase organic produce is a must for the health conscious. Not only will it help you and your family, but demanding foods free from dangerous chemicals can change our entire food security.
About Cyndi O’Meara
Cyndi O’Meara is a nutritionist, best-selling author, real food advocate, international speaker, film maker (What’s With Wheat) and the founder of Changing Habits, an online holistic health destination offering wellness products, programs and guides to nourish yourself and your family. Passionate about empowering people to make simple and long lasting changes to their health, Cyndi is travelling around Australia on her Real Food for Health Tour, spreading a sustainable health message to many. For more on Cyndi and her tour, visit: www.changinghabits.com.au or follow her on Instagram: @changing_habits.
