The growing popularity of organic farming practices and products has resulted in an increase in the availability of “No Pesticides” on many household items. This is because chemicals commonly used on traditional farms are often sprayed onto crops, especially to keep pests away. These chemicals can be dangerous to humans, animals and the environment. Some of the pesticides used commonly on crops include:
– Azoxylic acid. This is a popularly used pesticide, which is derived from citrus fruits. It is often used on vine crops (grape) and tomatoes. As well as being sprayed on food crops, this is also used on fruit trees to control aphids. This is a popular product on organic farms, with the majority of organic farms using azoxylic acid to treat their produce. However, some commercial farms use it as an ingredient of their fertiliser.
– Boric acid. This is also derived from citrus fruits. It is most commonly found in fertiliser and is a very effective insect repellent. It acts as a natural predator of insects, killing off millions of insects each year. However, this is not effective on all types of insects and some insects are immune to boric acid. Organic farmers have developed a natural alternative to boric acid called FOS, which is still applied to fruits and vegetables but is much more concentrated and effective.
– Chlorine. As its name suggests, chlorine is a chemical compound that is commonly added to saltwater and seawater to prevent contamination by natural microbes. This is a common additive to organic farming, which can be harmful to fish, plants, and human health.
– Herbicides. This class of pesticides consists of both pesticides and chemicals, used to control pests and to improve the production of crops. Organic farmers use natural methods to avoid exposing their crops to herbicides, which may prove harmful to humans who consume it.
When it comes to crops like oranges, strawberries, lettuce, and other fruits and vegetables, there are two kinds of pesticides that are used. The first category, called synthetic pesticides, consist of substances that imitate the effects of natural pesticides. They are widely used and are legally mandatory in most countries. They are also widely used in organic farming, because they are less harmful to crops.
The second type of pesticide, called natural pesticides, target living organisms in order to deter pests. Examples of this type of pesticide are alfalfa sprays, which prevent caterpillars from eating certain types of crops. Bamboo shoots are killed by an ingredient in Chinese greens, while bees protect fruit trees by pollinating them. Organic farmers grow these living organisms in their gardens in order to prevent unwanted insects from invading their food supply.
Whether you choose to buy organic or non-organic food, avoiding pesticides is always the best option. It is important for people who want to enjoy fresh whole foods to avoid using chemicals on their fruits and vegetables. Although many foods without pesticides are naturally organic, if consumers cannot get enough natural vitamins and minerals, they should at least use a non-chemical pesticide to make up for it.
In a speech delivered in May of last year, California State Senator Hannah Scott released a report that questioned the long-term effects of the state’s mandatory pesticide laws. She said that the definition of pesticide applied to natural living organisms was too broad. “I have a problem with the fact that a rosenthal said that pesticides, even when applied to living organisms, are considered safe when eaten,” she said. “If anything I read is not true, I would be very surprised.” Ms. rosenthal said that even if she agreed that pesticides were safe when consumed, she still disagreed with their application on a personal level. “I would personally prefer to eat fruits and vegetables that do not have any pesticides,” she said.
According to Hannah Scott, if farmers used natural pesticides, some people might develop cancer, but that would only apply to those who had a genetic predisposition to the condition. Those without such a predisposition would not be at risk, she said. Yet, if a person ate an apple that had been grown with pesticides, he or she could potentially develop certain types of cancer, including cancer of the digestive system, according to her report.
It is difficult for many people to imagine eating something that has been grown with pesticides and that is labeled as organic, much less eating fruits and vegetables. But the fact is, many fruits and vegetables are grown using pesticides. Tomatoes, for instance, must be sprayed with a variety of chemicals to prevent them from becoming sour, according to The Department of Agriculture (USDA), and each crop must be inspected for pesticide residue before being sold. Even “superfood” vegetables like kale and spinach, which are grown with no pesticides, must be treated with an anti-pesticide treatment after they are harvested.
Many people also have concerns about eating crops that have been grown with high levels of pesticides. For instance, eating a head of cauliflower that has been grown with high levels of pesticides would essentially mean eating a head of cauliflowers. And, consuming foods that have been grown with high levels of herbicide are likely to result in similar problems. To address these issues, you may want to choose organic over non organic when purchasing produce, and look for sprays, labels, and tags that indicate that the crop has been organically grown.