Specializing in Certified Organically Grown Foods since 1973

Frequently Asked Questions about growing and processing food

What is organic?

Organic products are naturally grown without the assistance of synthetic chemical pesticides or fertilizers. Beyond this lack of unnatural chemicals in the food this method of farming is also meant to sustain the land and keep the surrounding ecosystems healthy. It is based on minimal use of off-farm inputs and on management practices that restore, maintain and enhance ecological harmony.

More formally, 'Organic' is a labeling term that denotes products produced under the authority of the Organic Foods Production Act. The principal guidelines for organic production are to use materials and practices that enhance the ecological balance of natural systems and that integrate the parts of the farming system into an ecological whole.

For a more detailed discussion, see this link, Organic Farming

What is a certified organic handler?

The State of Washington certifies organic food growers and processors who demonstrate that they follow proper practices in their business. The state then monitors to ensure continuing compliance.

For handlers, including wholesalers and retailers, this means being able to demonstrate that all the foods they sell as organic foods can be traced to authentic organic wholesalers and growers, and that organic foods are not mixed or compromised by contact with inorganic foods.

What are GMO's and GE foods?

Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) and Genetically Engineered (GE) foods are food plants or other live organisms that have been altered by changing their DNA in a laboratory. This is usually done to make them more appealing for commercial farmers, such as more disease resistant. The controversy over GMO's is largely around the potential for losing control of the genetic modification and the spread of side effects on the ecology, including humans.

As an example, perhaps the most well publicized GMO is StarLink corn, genetically modified to include an insecticidal protein (Cr9C). This protein kills corn pests in the same way that spray-on pesticides do. The benefit is reduced use of spray-on pesticides. But the protein also has potential to kill other insects, such as Monarch butterflies, and potential health effects on humans. The Starlink protein has been determined to be an allergen to humans. Because of side effects, fields planted in Starlink corn were to be separated from other corn fields. Because of the health effects, Starlink corn has not been approved for human consumption.

Even though Starlink corn was not approved for human consumption, and was grown only for animal feed and industrial uses in fields buffered from other corn fields, it has been found in food products and has been found in fields not planted as such. And even though Monarch butterflies do not feed on corn plants or pollen, they often live near corn fields and corn pollen containing the Starlink protein is often spread onto their food source by the wind.

What is cage free and free range?

Cage free and free range refer to similar but slightly different conditions. Cage free usually refers to egg-laying poultry and not confining them in individual cages. Free range usually refers to poultry and livestock that are used for meat products. Both refer to allowing animals more space to move and exercise. By comparison, caged poultry and feedlot livestock get very little exercise.

Animals that get more space and exercise have a better life and are healthier. Animals that are closely confined require more artificial antibiotics to prevent the spread of disease and hormones to stimulate growth.

What is homogenization?

Homogenization is a process that keeps different parts of a food from separating. Basically, it uses pressure and agitation to break up particles so they become better mixed with other particles and don't stick to each other, or separate. Examples include milk and peanut butter. In the case of peanut butter, the oils normally separate from the solids. An all natural peanut butter must be mixed if allowed to stand for a long period of time. A homogenized peanut butter won't need to be re-mixed, but the physical characteristics of the particles and nutrients are changed, with potential side effects on taste and nutrition.

What is hydrogenization?

Hydrogenization is a process of using pressure to force hydrogen atoms into unsaturated fatty acids such as vegetable fats and oils. Partial hydrogenization is the process of adding hydrogen atoms until a food is at a desired consistency, such as hydrogenating liquid vegetable oil until it is at the proper consistency to make margarine. Partially hydrogenated vegetable oils and fat are found in tens of thousands of food products, with estimates over 40,000.

Hydrogenization alters chemical bonds within the fatty acids and creates other compounds including trans-fats. Many of the changes caused by hydrogenization are not yet studied or understood by scientists. Hydrogenization is a major source of trans-fats, which is associated with high (LDL) cholesterol and overweight. And ANY trans-fat in your diet is considered unhealthy by nutrition experts.

What is irradiation?

Food irradiation refers to the use of ionizing radiation to kill bacteria and microbes that could cause food borne disease. There are several techniques for performing the irradiation process, some using radioactive substances (Cobalt or Cesium), some using high energy electron beams (E-beam), and the newest using X-rays, a process similar to E-beam.

What is pasteurization?

Pasteurization is a process of treating foods to kill microorganisms that cause food to spoil. Pasteurization is named after Louis Pasteur, and is most commonly associated with processing milk and other dairy products. Traditional pasteurization is performed by heating a product just enough to kill microorgnisms, but not enough to destroy the taste. Sometimes the term cold pasteurization is used to refer to irradiation (as described above). Ultraviolet (UV) pasteurization uses ultraviolet light.

Pasteurization has two benefits; one is making products safer by killing dangerous organisms and the other is increasing the keeping quality, or shelf life of products. Pasteurization is also the process that allows some, usually dairy, products to be stored without refrigeration until opened.

Pasteurization is more controversial for foods other than dairy, such as beer or fruit juice, because it has potential to effect taste and nutrition. For example all beer sold in the US is pasteurized, while beer sold in much of Europe is not and has a distinctly different flavor.

Where can I learn what different supplements or vitamins are for?

For a listing and description of many vitamins and supplements, try visiting Whole Health MD and look through the supplements section of their reference library. Bear Foods is not affiliated with WholeHealthMD.

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