Selma Roth

Saudi Gazette

With organic products gaining popularity, numerous claims arise about the environmental and health benefits of organic foods, the labels and certifications used to define organic products, and whether the high prices of organic products are worth it. Saudi Gazette did some research to find you the answers to the most commonly asked questions on organic products and the best places in Jeddah to find an assortment of organic foodstuffs.



What is organic food?



The term “organic farming” emphasizes the use of renewable resources and the conservation of soil and water. Organic produce is grown without the use of pesticides, synthetic fertilizers, sewage sludge, or genetically modified organisms (GMOs). The land used for farming must be free from prohibited chemical synthetic pesticides for a period of three years. Organic farmers use natural fertilizers, such as compost, to feed plants, insects and birds to reduce pests and disease. Another way to keep the soil healthy is by rotating crops.

 

What are the organic standards for the meat and dairy industry?



Organically raised livestock are given organic feed and no animal byproducts, something conventional livestock often do get. They are free from growth hormones and antibiotics and are raised in natural living conditions appropriate for their species. Chickens, for instance, have to be free to scratch about and be given access to the outdoors, and cows must have access to pasture. Preventive medications are not allowed; however, the animals may be vaccinated against disease.

 

What does “certified organic” mean and who decides if something is organic?



In several countries, government agencies have created labels to ensure a product is organic. In Saudi Arabia, the Ministry of Agriculture works closely together with the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) or German Agency for International Cooperation. The Saudi Organic Regulation and Standard, effective since the end of 2010, largely matches the EU Organic Regulations and the US National Organic Program. In early 2011, the Saudi National Organic Logo was created. This seal is only allowed on foods that contain at least 95 percent organic ingredients, whereas the term “made with organic ingredients” means the product contains a minimum of 70 percent organic ingredients, with some restrictions on the remaining 30 percent.



Does organic mean fairer?



The term “fair trade” refers to a commercial system in which the producer gets a fair price for their crop. It promotes fair wages, safe and healthy working conditions, and respect for cultural identity of the laborers, among other things. Organic products are not necessarily fair trade. Likewise, fair trade is not always organic, although the system does encompass environmental sustainability, no use of GMOs, and promotes organic production. The two often go hand in hand, and in Saudi Arabia, a set of social responsibility criteria will most likely become part of the second edition of the Saudi Organic Regulation and Standard later this year.



Is organic food healthier?



There is little evidence that organic fruits and vegetables are more nutritious than conventional produce. A large-scale study carried out last year in the US found no differences, except that the organic products had fewer traces of pesticides. Although the pesticides found on conventional produce have been approved by environmental protection agencies all over the world, most of them are simultaneously thought to be carcinogenic. The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), for instance, considers 60 percent of all herbicides, 90 percent of all fungicides, and 30 percent of all insecticides as potentially cancer-causing. What the exact consequences of pesticides in the body are has yet to be proven. Nevertheless, organic food does not automatically mean healthy. Organic foods can still be processed or high in fats, sodium or sugar. Junk food is bad, whether organic or regular.

 

Why are organic products more expensive?



First of all, organic farms are usually smaller than conventional farms, which make them less competitive. They are also more labor intensive due to the stricter regulations and certification standards governing the organic sector. The Saudi Ministry of Agriculture, however, supports organic farms to decrease their costs. And, as demand and supply continue to grow, organic products are becoming increasingly competitive.

 

Do organic foods taste and look better?



As the cliché goes, there is no accounting for taste, but many people are of the opinion that organic products taste better. The number of restaurants that opt for organic products is increasing. However, organic food does not always look better. It may even look less appealing, as no genetically modified organisms (GMOs) have been used to increase the size of the crop, improve its shape, or intensify the color, but this also makes organic food more natural than conventional food.

 

Where can I find the best organic products?



The major supermarkets in the Kingdom have organic sections. In Jeddah, the only store with 100 percent organic products is Abazeer, which sells everything from vegetables to fruits, seeds and nuts to beans and legumes, from pasta and rice to meat, chicken and cheese. It also has an organic bakery. Riyadh has several organic stores, such as the Organic Food Center, Nutrition Corner, and Watania. The farmers’ market (Suk Al Shemal) in Riyadh has a section with organic produce.