Is Organic The Answer?

<a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A41247-2003Dec30.html" title="The American Burger:  How Safe Is It? (washingtonpost.com)">The American Burger:  How Safe Is It?</a>: &ldquo;In October of 2002 the U.S. Department of Agriculture instituted an organic labeling system so consumers choosing organic products could know that the food had been produced without pesticides, hormones, antibiotics, irradiation or bioengineering. These standards apply to U.S.-grown food as well as imported food. 



&ldquo;The strict certification process and ongoing inspections of organic farms could make it less likely that meat products from such farms are contaminated by mad cow disease, though all of the ways the disease spreads are not fully understood&hellip;



&ldquo;To be certified organic, cattle must be given a vegetarian diet of primarily foraged grass. Grains such as corn, barley and soy beans are fed for a short time at the feed lot to produce added fat that contributes needed flavor components. Growth hormones and antibiotics are not added to feed. 



&ldquo;&lsquo;Under USDA regulations all byproduct feeding is prohibited [on organic farms]. That&rsquo;s a huge difference right there,&rsquo; says James A. Riddle, organic policy specialist for NewFarm.org, a project of the nonprofit Rodale Institute. The Food and Drug Administration allows conventional cattle feed and supplements to include cattle blood, gelatin, tallow and milk protein. 



&ldquo;Knowing when and from where an animal came to a ranch or farm is essential in time of crisis. On organic farms, the tracking of each animal from birth or the source of purchase is mandatory. There must be records of all organic practices, health care and any treatments the animal received. Annual verified inspections are made of feed mills, farms and slaughterhouses. 



&ldquo;Small farming operations that produce pasture-raised, grass-fed beef and all-natural beef farms that do not use growth hormones and antibiotics also follow strict guidelines for feed and animal tracking. 



&ldquo;Organic beef comes with a hefty price. Organic ground beef sells for more than twice the price of traditional beef.&rdquo;