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FAQs |
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1. What is organic food?
2. Is organic food healthier?
3. Is organic food better for the environment?
4. Why should we worry about bacteria, fungi, and other soil microorganisms?
5. How do I know if something is organic?
6. What does "Certified Organic" mean?
7. Do organic farmers ever use pesticides?
8. Why does organic food sometimes cost more? |
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Q. What is organic food?
Organic food is grown without the use of synthetic chemicals, such as pesticides and fertilizers. It is grown on land that has been free of these chemicals for at least three years. Also, organic food is not genetically engineered. Pristine works with farmers and reputed NGOs to procure certified organic raw materials and ingredients which it then processes without devitalizing its nutritional content through minimal processing techniques. Organic animal products including dairy products come from animals that have not been given growth hormones or antibiotics.
Pristine’s products are free from chemical additives and preservatives.
Q. Is organic food healthier?
Generally speaking, yes. Organically grown foods are pesticide residues-free as compared to conventionally grown foods. Organic foods also contain higher amounts of positive nutrients, such as antioxidants, minerals and vitamins. Organic refers to the way agricultural products—food and fiber—are grown and processed. Organic foods are minimally processed without artificial ingredients, preservatives, or irradiation to maintain the integrity of the food. Well-balanced soils grow strong healthy plants that many people believe taste better and contain more nutrients.
Pristine’s extensive research and development has resulted in a range of organic and nutritionally sound products for direct consumption and for use in various applications.
Q. Is organic food better for the environment?
Yes. Pesticide and fertilizer runoff from non-organic farms pollutes local waterways and kills wildlife (including beneficial insects and micro-organisms). Organic farming methods also improve soil fertility and reduce soil erosion. Every year the earth is losing huge quantities of topsoil, significantly reducing crop yields. Organic food production is based on a system of farming that maintains and replenishes soil fertility without the use of toxic and persistent pesticides and fertilizers.
Pristine works with small holding farmers and NGOs who support such farmers to facilitate organic farming methods and source their produce paying 25% premium to market prices.
Q. Why should we worry about bacteria, fungi, and other soil microorganisms?
In healthy soil, billions of these little soil critters are constantly digesting organic matter, transforming nitrogen and other elements into forms that plants can use, and when they die their nutritious little bodies become a perfect feast for plants. This is why it doesn't make sense to kill them with chemicals or inorganic fertilizers. A biologically active soil is plant-friendly!
Q. How do I know if something is organic?
It is better to buy certified organic products which are issued by international and national bodies. Certification ensures traceability to farm levels and also audits process systems. Pristine’s products are certified organic as per NPOP norms and certified by Control Union Certifications. You will find CU statement and the India Organic logo on all Pristine product packages.
Q. What does "Certified Organic" mean?
"Certified Organic" means the item has been grown according to strict uniform standards that are verified by independent state or private organizations. Certification includes inspections of farm fields and processing facilities, detailed record keeping, and periodic testing of soil and water to ensure that growers and handlers are meeting the standards which have been set. Pristine’s products are all certified organic.
Q. Do organic farmers ever use pesticides?
Yes. However, only natural pesticides are permitted with restrictions as a last resort when growers are threatened with crop failure. Organic farmers primary strategy is "prevention." By building healthy soils, healthy plants are better able to resist disease and insects. When pest populations get out of balance, growers will try various options like insect predators, mating disruption, traps and barriers. If these fail, permission will be granted by the certifier to apply botanical pesticides under restricted conditions. "Botanicals" are derived from plants and are broken down quickly by oxygen and sunlight. Pristine’s partner farmers do not use any off-farm inputs and adopt planet-friendly sustainable and organic farming practices.
Q. Why does organic food sometimes cost more?
Prices for organic foods reflect many of the same costs as conventional items in terms of growing, harvesting, transportation and storage. Organically produced foods must meet stricter regulations governing all of these steps, so the process is often more labour- and management-intensive, and farming tends to be on a smaller scale. There is also mounting evidence that if all the indirect costs of conventional food production—cleanup of polluted water, replacement of eroded soils, costs of health care for farmers and their workers—were factored into the price of food, organic foods would cost the same or, more likely, be cheaper.
Pristine’s products are aimed at reaching out to mainstream consumers to encourage a healthy lifestyle, nutritionally sound diet and planet-friendly policies. Pristine’s products are priced very competitively inspite of the higher costs incurred in the making of these products. |
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