How to know if fruits are organic

The traditional, regular and conventional food we eat nowadays is laden with chemical fertilizers, pesticides, larvicides, and fungicides, which are sprayed primarily to destroy any unwanted insects or toxic growth, but which inevitably lead to contamination of these ingrown foods, rendering them unfit for consumption. Organic food is a better alternative to conventionally produced food, however, most people don’t opt for it since it is more expensive.

Organic food is cultivated without the use of synthetic chemicals such as pesticides and fertilizers produced by humans, and it does not contain GMOs.

You might question, “Why go for organic food?” or “is organic food more nutritious?”

Well, firstly, organic food is produced by the practices of organic farming features that help in cycling resources, promoting ecological balance, and conserving biodiversity. What is more wonderful and easy than helping to save the planet by simply eating organic produce?

Secondly, multiple studies show that organic varieties of the same foods contain substantially more antioxidants, vitamin C, iron, magnesium, and phosphorus than non-organic varieties. They are higher in these nutrients and have lower levels of nitrates and pesticide residues.

With increasing focus on eating healthier and sustainable, the organic food industry has been rapidly gaining popularity.

Fruit and vegetable manufacturers are under pressure to supply more as the organic food market grows, and some are cutting corners. When the volumes are large, organic farming concepts are difficult to follow.

Eating healthy comes way easier when you eat organically produced food.

The vegetables and produce with spot-on colours, perfect shape, and no pests or insects might appear to be fresh and healthy. But, it’s all a hoax!

As a consumer, these 5 tips will help you in picking good-quality organic food:

• Size, Shape, and  Appearance: Organic foods are never identical in appearance; there is no such thing as an identical organic food. They are not altered for any form specifications and are left undisturbed; they are also not larger than traditional food items. So if you’re going shopping for organic vegetables and fruits, don’t pick large ones! The colour, shape, the structure of any organic food be it grains, vegetables, or fruits will never be uniform. Beware of perfectly looking produce, they might not be organic as they look.
• Shorter Shelf-Life and Preservative-Free: Ideally, organically produced food should not be treated with preservatives. Organic foods have a shorter shelf life than foods processed with artificial pesticides and weedicides since they contain no preservatives and are produced using natural methods and delivered directly to our homes. As a result, these foods don’t last for long.
• Presence of Insects or Life: As much as you hate insects, the sight of them on vegetables, fruits, lentils, grains, or rice is a sign that they’re organically produced and not treated with pesticides. Since the primary distinction between organic foods and commonly available food in our local supermarkets is that the latter is protected with strong chemicals to destroy any unwanted life that may sprout into it, the former which contain traces of insects or worms, indicating that it was processed using less harsh methods. You can rise the green leafy vegetables, fruits, etc with salt-water or vinegar water.
• Food Smell or Aroma: Organic food has a distinct aroma and texture — in truth, it’s very potent. Since organic spices maintain their oil content, they will have a clear aroma and flavour. However, one has to extra aware and cautious since the adulterators in the food industry are getting expertise in adding synthetic aroma to food that smells just like organic ones! For this, it is essential that food testing is done in labs to ensure that only pure organic food is being supplied in the market.
• The Duller, the Better: These foods aren’t polished, sprayed, or cut in any way to make them look good. These are irregularly formed, with a dull and light natural colour; hence, the old saying that foods that appear rich in colour are healthier is a myth, as the more organic and naturally grown it is, the less susceptible it is to additives.

Organic food testing services are provided by Sigma Test and Research Center, which includes an authenticity check that guarantees the consistency of the food product’s contents. Food testing ensures that consumers are not targets of economic fraud and that competition among food manufacturers is fair in this way.

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Products ranging from T-shirts to garden soil to soap often are marketed as "organic." The word (and process) has become so popular, cities abound even with organic dry cleaners. Such common usage makes it questionable when products truly are organic and how consumers can tell the difference.

In the United States, organic can be defined differently depending on the product. The U.S. Department of Agriculture certifies whether or not food items are organic, but nonfood items are not as strictly regulated.

Foods that meet USDA organic standards are "certified organic," also sometimes called "USDA-certified organic." Organic food in the United States can be identified when the following conditions are met:

• The product bears the official USDA organic seal.
• The product has been certified organic.
• The product contains 95 percent or more organic ingredients.

The USDA's official organic seal is green and white, and some manufacturers and producers use a very similar, though different colored, seal. Such mislabeling can result in fines of up to $11,000 per violation. Also, a product does not have to contain 95 percent organic ingredients to be truly beneficial. The USDA allows those products with at least 70 percent organically produced ingredients to use the words "made with organic ingredients." However, those products cannot carry the green-and-white USDA seal.

If you want to know if the fruits and vegetables you're purchasing are truly organic, look at the Price Look Up (PLU) sticker. If the produce is organic, the code will contain five-digits beginning with the number 9. Nonorganic counterparts will have four digits. For example, organically grown bananas will be 94011, compared to 4011 for those treated with chemicals and pesticides. A five-digit PLU beginning with the number 8 means the item is genetically modified.

Organics may cost less at farmers markets because of lower shipping costs and no middlemen, but it can be hard to know what you're getting—especially when products lack PLU stickers. Under the USDA's National Organic Program, farmers who market their products as organic are supposed to have their wares certified by a USDA-accredited agent or face fines if they get caught. If the product is being touted as certified, you can ask to see a copy of the organic certification paperwork. Vendors are supposed to have it on hand whenever selling their wares.

When farmers use sustainable growing methods but choose not to get certified—or they are exempt from certification because they sell less than $5,000 worth of organic products annually—it doesn't mean their products aren't organically grown and produced.

For example, an organic blueberry farm may not be officially certified even though it truly grows organic blueberries. This is a tricky exception because it relies on consumer knowledge of sustainable growing methods. That said, due to the organic craze, those adhering to strict organic standards will likely let the public know how their produce was grown by stating the process on their website or other marketing materials. 

"Organic" is often used to describe various sustainable agricultural and food items, textiles, toys, furniture, mattresses, cosmetics, beverages, bath and body care products, and many other products. The term "organic" also is used descriptively for an action. For example, "I try to live organically" or "Organic farming is better for the planet." However, nonfood items do not fall under the jurisdiction of the USDA, and identifying what is truly organic can be more difficult.

The Federal Trade Commission polices false advertising claims, but consumers still need to know how to identify such false advertising in order to file a claim. Nonfood items cannot use the USDA organic seal, but there are third parties that offer certifications. For example, the Global Organic Textile Standard provides certification for products such as sheets and mattresses.

It's also common for some popular retailers to set their own standards for what they'll sell with an organic label. Whole Foods Market sets standards for things like bath care products that want to be labeled as organic. For example, personal care products must contain at least 95 percent organic ingredients.