Reducing Exposure to Pesticides in Food

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Questions and Answers

What is one way to reduce exposure to pesticides in food?

Eat a single type of food to minimize exposure

Use special produce washes and detergents to remove residues

Peel and trim fruits and vegetables before eating them (correct)

Avoid washing fresh fruits and vegetables

What was a consequence of the rise of agribusiness in the United States?

A decrease in the use of fertilizers and pesticides

A decrease in rural agricultural communities (correct)

A focus on sustainable agriculture

An increase in the number of small farms

What type of crops do big farms often focus on growing?

Meat and poultry products

Fresh fruits and vegetables

A variety of organic crops

Corn, soybeans, or wheat (correct)

What is a result of large farms needing considerable amounts of water for irrigation?

A decrease in underground water supplies Signup and view all the answers

Why is it recommended to trim the fat from meat and skin of poultry and fish?

Because pesticide residues accumulate in fat Signup and view all the answers

What is a benefit of eating a variety of foods?

Reduced likelihood of excessive exposure to a single pesticide Signup and view all the answers

What was a consequence of the emphasis on increasing agricultural production in the United States?

An inexpensive and abundant food supply Signup and view all the answers

What helped fuel interest in sustainable agriculture?

The rise of agribusiness Signup and view all the answers

What is the minimum percentage of certified organic ingredients required for a food product to be labeled as 'Organic'?

95% Signup and view all the answers

Why did sales of organic foods increase in the US during the COVID-19 pandemic?

All of the above Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of the USDA's organic labeling standards?

To ensure that consumers have accurate information about organic food products Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following organic labeling categories may not use the USDA organic seal?

Made with organic ______ Signup and view all the answers

What is the difference between '100% Organic' and 'Organic' labeling categories?

The percentage of certified organic ingredients Signup and view all the answers

Why may a cereal with the organic seal on the package not be 100% organic?

The cereal may contain small amounts of non-organic ingredients Signup and view all the answers

What is the main reason why Jeremy prefers to drink organic milk?

He is concerned about the health effects of non-organic milk Signup and view all the answers

What is the required action for food manufacturers to identify organic ingredients in their products?

They must identify organic ingredients in the product Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary focus of sustainable agriculture?

To promote crop variety and soil conservation, without harming the environment Signup and view all the answers

What characterizes organic substances?

Having the element carbon bonded to hydrogen Signup and view all the answers

What is a key difference between organic and conventional farming systems?

The use of synthetic fertilizers Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of the 'USDA Organic' symbol on food packaging?

To indicate that the product meets USDA's standards for organic food Signup and view all the answers

What has been the trend in sales of organic foods in the United States over the past 40 years?

A steady increase in sales Signup and view all the answers

What is a common misconception about organic foods?

That they are more nutritious than conventionally produced foods Signup and view all the answers

What is a possible benefit of eating organic foods?

They contain fewer pesticides than conventionally produced foods Signup and view all the answers

Why do consumers often purchase organic foods?

Because they are concerned about the environment and the safety of the food supply Signup and view all the answers

What is a limitation of the current research on organic foods?

That there are not enough well-designed studies on the topic Signup and view all the answers

What is a characteristic of organic farming?

The use of natural pest management practices Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Reducing Exposure to Pesticides in Food

Washing and scrubbing fresh fruits and vegetables under running water can reduce exposure to pesticides
Using special produce washes and detergents is not more effective than using water
Peeling and trimming fruits and vegetables before eating can reduce exposure to pesticides
Trimming the fat from meat and skin of poultry and fish can reduce exposure to pesticides because they accumulate in fat
Eating a variety of foods reduces the likelihood of excessive exposure to a single pesticide

Conventional and Organic Food Production

Conventional farming methods use heavy fertilizers and pesticides, deplete underground water supplies, and focus on growing single crops like corn, soybeans, or wheat
Organic farming methods promote crop variety, soil and water conservation, and recycling of plant nutrients
Organic farming does not rely on antibiotics, hormones, synthetic fertilizers, genetic improvements, or ionizing radiation
Table 3.10 compares organic and conventional farming systems

Organic Labeling Categories

The USDA has three labeling categories for organic foods: "100% Organic", "Organic", and "Made with Organic"
"100% Organic" products must contain 100% certified organic ingredients
"Organic" products must contain at least 95% certified organic ingredients
"Made with Organic" products must contain 70-95% certified organic ingredients
The USDA's symbol on the package indicates that the product meets USDA standards for organic food

Trends in Organic Food Sales

Sales of organic foods have increased steadily since the 1990s
In 2019, Americans spent over an estimated $55 billion on organic foods and beverages
Sales of organic foods increased by 25% from March to June 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic

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Description

Learn how to minimize exposure to pesticides in food through simple steps such as washing, peeling, and trimming. Discover the importance of eating a variety of foods and reducing fat consumption.