explanation of organic terms

Organic terms and definitions

Organic - any product that was grown or created without the use of chemical pesticides, fertilizer, hormones, antibiotics, or artificially-derived chemical additives. Organic plant products do not allow for genetic engineering or the use of radiation. Organic wines do not have added sulfites, only naturally-occuring, trace amounts. (Wines from Europe are, by nature, organic). When the term "organic" is found on food products, at least 95% of the product uses organic ingredients.

Certified organic - Labeling used with organic products which have met the following standards: 1) the land on which organic food or fibers (e.g. cotton) are grown must be free of chemical additives/pesticides for three years prior to being certified; 2) farmers and processors must keep detailed records of methods and materials used in the production process, particularly those which replenish soil fertility; 3) all methods and materials are inspected annually by a third-party certifying agency (under the jurisdiction of the USDA); 4) as indicated above, products must be free of chemical additives, such as pesticides, chemical fertilizers, hormones, and antibiotics.

Biodynamic - a term applied to wines whereby winegrowers avoid using chemical pesticides and fertilizers. They rely instead on compost and beneficial insects (attracted by diverse plant life) to keep their vines healthy. In addition, they adhere to the teachings of Austrian philosopher and Waldorf School founder Rudolf Steiner, who emphasized the use of herbal teas to strengthen plants, and preparations of cow dung which they bury inside cow horns to decompose in the fields after the fall equinox. The horns are dug up in the spring and the contents are made into a compost tea that is applied to the vines. Biodynamic farmers plant, cultivate, and harvest according to the phases of the moon.

An important distinction to make here is that, unlike Europe, the U.S. does not oversee the production of biodynamic wines. The only certification bodies at present are Demeter-International and Biodyvin. In addition, biodynamic winemakers can add sulfites to their wines if they choose to.

Sulfites - Derived from sulfur and used as a preservative and antioxidant in grape-growing and winemaking since the time of the Romans. They are also a natural by-product of fermentation. Certified organic wines cannot contain more than 100ppm of sulfites. A small portion of the population is seriously allergic to sulfites, which is why wine bottles have sulfite warning labels.

Fair Trade � Certification (see Transfair USA website) of such products as coffee, tea, cocoa, and sugar � which tells consumers that cooperative farm workers have been paid a living wage and have safe working conditions. A fair trade premium is used by the workers� collective to provide education, health care, and pension benefits. Fair trade farming methods must be sustainable.

Made with organic ingredients � Must contain at least 70% organic ingredients. Does not contain any added sulfites.

100% organic � These products cannot contain any non-organic ingredients.

Partial hydrogenation - An industrial process used to make plant-based oils (such as soybean oil,) which are liquid at room temperature, into a more solid substance (by raising the boiling point). It provides longer shelf-life in baked products (by not supporting the growth of bacteria); provides a longer fry-life for cooking oils, and adds its own texture. Partially hydrogenated and hydrogenated oils, which contain trans fats, are found in most commercially processed packaged convenience foods, including pastries and crackers, salad dressings, and in most margarines and shortenings. Companies are required to list partially hydrogenated oils on their ingredient labels if they are present in substantial amounts (>5 mg) (Source: Wikipedia.org.)

Some organic ingredients � Products containing less than 70% organic ingredients.

Common chemicals

EDTA - Ethylenediaminetetraacetic Acid; used as a preservative. It may cause irritation, kidney damage, gastrointestinal problems, and mineral imbalance in susceptible individuals.

Formaldehyde - Pungent gas; the result of incomplete combustion of carbon-containing materials. Found at site of fires, auto exhaust, and tobacco smoke. Readily soluble in water, it's a disinfectant, preservative in vaccinations and embalming. Found in some toothpastes. It has been classified as a human carcinogen by the EPA (especially nasopharyngeal cancers.)

Organic phosphates - Related to the nerve gases used during wartime, they work by destroying cholinesterase in the nervous sysem. Convulsions and death can result. Other such products are parathion and malation (often used in gardens to fight mosquitos). Unlike other organic phosphages, malation can be detoxified by the liver.

Parabens - Including methylparaben and propylparaben; used in personal care products, like underarm deodorants; linked to breast cancer.

Paraffin - The name used for alkane hydrocarbons, and is mostly found as a white, odorless, waxy solid that burns readily. It is a by-product of petroleum distillation, and is commonly used in candlemaking and as preservatives. When burned, it gives off a black residue that sticks to skin, furniture, etc. (known as "ghosting".)

Toluene - An aromatic hydrocarbon, water-insoluble. It is related to benzene and is clear and colorless. Used in nail products. If inhaled over long periods, it can lead to brain damage.

Volatile organic compounds - organic compounds that have a tendency to vaporize and enter the air. Common examples of VOCs include paint thinners, dry cleaning solvents, and some constituents of petroleum fuels (eg. gasoline and natural gas). VOCs are sometimes accidentally released into the environment, where they can become soil and groundwater contaminants. Vapours of VOCs escaping into the air contribute to air pollution. Many VOCs found around the house, such as paint strippers and wood preservatives, contribute to �sick building� syndrome because of their high vapour pressure. VOC's are often used in paint, plastics, and cosmetics (e.g. nail polish and nail polish remover). The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has found concentrations of VOCs in indoor air to be 2 to 5 times greater than in outdoor air. That "new car" smell is the result of VOC's emitted by upholstery, carpeting, etc. Not all organic compounds are volatile; many plastics and other large molecules may not release vapor into the air (unless they are heated).

Agricultural terms

Chlorinated hydrocarbons - a class of chemicals which came into use as insecticides (e.g. DDT). The most poisonous of these are dieldrin, aldrin, and endrin. Dieldrin is used to treat malarial insects who have become resistant to DDT. They attack the nervous system; side effects included liver and kidney degeneration and sterility when tested on animals.
Shade-grown � Label signifying that crop was grown in shade, not a clear-cut field. Plants mature more slowly and have a richer taste. Shade growing also supports bird species. (�Bird-friendly�, however, signifies that growers take extra care to protect the indigenous bird population.)

Trans fat (short for trans fatty acids) � An unsaturated fatty acid whose molecules contain trans double bonds between atoms. Trans fats occur naturally in small amounts in the body fat of cows and sheep, milk, and butter. They are primarily a by-product of partial hydrogenation (see Partial hydrogenation above.) For more information on trans fats, you can go to: www.fda.gov/oc/initiatives/transfat or www.bantransfat.com.

Sustainable farming - a labelling system first developed in the 1980's meaning greater use of predatory insects to control pests, less plowing, and planting and rotating more off-season crops in order to replenish soil nutrients. It advocates family farms, greater crop diversity, better farm labor conditions and healthier rural economies.

Permaculture - A system of growing crops in balance with the environment. Unlike monoculture and companion planting, permaculture is the ultimate method of sustainability. Several species are planted in the same environment to complement, nourish, and protect one another as closely to nature as possible.

Whole grains - The essential parts and all the natural nutrients of the entire grain seed. Examples of whole grains include buckwheat, bulgur, kamut, quinoa, oats, wheat, and unrefined (e.g. brown) rice.

Wildcrafting - The harvesting of wild plants in ways that will help increase a specific plant population. For more information, visit our edible weeds page.

Medical terms

Herbology - The study of herbs; utilizing the therapeutic applications of herbs and other botanical substances, such as roots, leaves, bark, or berries of plants.

Homeopathy - founded by Samuel Hahnemann; based on the concept of "like cures like" with the idea that remedies and symptoms sharing similar characteristics work together to aid the healing process.

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