Organic foods are produced according to certain production standards. For crops, it means they were grown without the use of conventional pesticides, artificial fertilizers, human waste, or sewage sludge, and that they were processed without ionizing radiation or food additives. For animals, it means they were reared without the routine use of antibiotics and without the use of growth hormones. In most countries, organic produce must not be genetically modified.Organic food production is legally regulated. Currently, the United States, the European Union, Japan and many other countries require producers to obtain organic certification in order to market food as organic.Historically, organic farms have been relatively small family-run farms — which is why organic food was once only available in small stores or farmers' markets. Meanwhile, it is becoming much more widely available, with market growth rates of around 20% a year since the early 1990s, far ahead of the rest of the food industry, in both developed and developing nations. As of today organic food accounts for 1-2% of food sales worldwide. In the future, growth is expected to range from 10-50% annually depending on the country. (see facts and statistics below)

He's right to say organic food has 'significant benefits in terms of animal welfare and reducing fuel costs'. But Gray says our only choices in future are GM crops or industrial-style agriculture and that, on its own

Every whole food has a pattern that resembles a body organ or physiological function and this pattern acts as a signal or sign as to the benefit the food provides the eater.

When you are searching for a menu that is high in nutritional value and low in preservatives and additives, consider an organic raw food diet. Raw food has become the focal point of many people's diets because they recognize all of the benefits of eating food in its natural form. Add an organic growing environment to that equation and you have a

Okay...it's now quite that simple, but organic food and organic production has numerous health benefits. Let me see if I can count the ways...

Thousands of tons of organic vegetables sold in British shops this year were produced using toxic chemical pesticides. This was a bit of a surprise to me as it seems to void any of the organic food benefits.Many shoppers - who pay premium prices for "naturally" grown veg - are unaware that any chemicals are allowed on any organic produce.