Entry #7: Organic or not organic...That is the question.

What does it truly mean for something to be labeled and sold as organic? According to Merriam-Webster, To be organic is "of, relating to, yielding, or involving the use of food produced with the use of feed or fertilizer of plant or animal origin without employment of chemically formulated fertilizers, growth stimulants, antibiotics, or pesticides." As consumers how can we know for certain if we are buying foods that are truly organic? 

When something is labeled 'organic' can we trust that that food item has not been modified with any chemicals or stimulants? CNBC's video "Is 'organic' really organic? Adeep dive into the dirt", really made me question the integrity of being organic. While watching this video I was shocked to hear that the inspectors do not actually test the soil of the crops for every inspection. Deby Zygielbaum, an employee at a vineyard in California says that the organic testing system is an "honors system". 

Deby Zygielbaum (right) Tim Cheng (left)

Based on this information I have researched, there's no guarantee that the organic food we are buying is truly organic? As a consumer concerned about the pesticides and chemicals used on non-organic food, would you continue to pay the higher price for produce labeled organic when we can not say for certain if it is indeed organic?