The Blog
Why do we use Organic and/or Natural-Crafted Ingredients?
Let's start with a basic explanation of the term "Organic". Organic food must be produced without using conventional (harmful) pesticides, fertilizers containing synthetic ingredients or sewage sludge, bioengineering or ionizing radiation. The organic farmers must use renewable resources and endeavor to conserve soil and water for future generations. They must use farmland that has been free from chemicals (many times, 3 years or more).
Meat, poultry, eggs and dairy products must come from animals that are given no antibiotics or growth hormones during their lives to be considered organic.
In the United States the USDA administers the labeling standards for organic agriculture products. They also accredit various certifying agents. Each company that handles or processes organic food before it gets to the supermarket or restaurant must be certified by the USDA.
In the United States the USDA has 3 levels of Organic Labeling restrictions.
* 100% Organic - every ingredient in the product was raised and harvested in an organic environment as approved and certified by the USDA.
* Organic - 70 to 95 percent of all the ingredients have been raised in a USDA approved manner
* Any product containing ingredients with less than a 70 percent organic content can separately list each ingredient that falls into the USDA organic category, but the product may not display a label claiming the product as organic.
Technically Animal Element's line of products aren't Organic. We use the organic variety of each of our ingredients where it is available. Some of our mineral ingredients such as Zeolite and Diatomaceous Earth aren't certified organic because the term organic doesn't apply. They are mined, not grown.
A rapidly growing body of research shows organic food contains higher levels of vitamin C and essential minerals such as calcium, magnesium, iron and chromium as well as cancer-fighting antioxidants and Omega 3 fatty acids.
The USDA estimates that 20% of our fruits and vegetables are imported and only 1-2% of these are tested for pesticide residues. In the animal and human supplement industry the percentages are likely significantly higher since many popular herbs aren't grown in the US. Organic regulations are unfortunately at the whim of politicians and with the higher margins on organic products and billions of dollars being poured into it, don't be surprised to see the regulations being relaxed. It is, therefore, critical that the manufacturing tests the raw materials (herbs, minerals, etc.) for residue before they use them in a final product.
From estimates we've read, the FDA's tests of can detect only about half of the chemicals available worldwide. The US EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) receives more than 2,000 notices of the export of unregistered pesticides yearly. Recipient countries are not required to report whether these pesticides are applied to produce which is later exported to the U.S., and FDA does not test for them. Importers are rarely penalized for violations. Ironic that we are selling the chemicals to other countries to spray back on the food that eventually ends up on our dinner table.
Organic farmers are required to have a soil building program in place. In the US soil is reportedly being eroded 7 times faster than it can be replaced. Furthermore pesticides leak into our drinking water and combined with high levels of pharmaceuticals found in our water creates a dangerous cocktail for us and our pets. Side note: FEED YOUR PET FILTERED WATER ONLY!
To specifically answer the question, why does Animal Element use Organic Ingredients? We sell a line of detox products. The purpose of our products is to assist the body in eliminating the toxins that have already built up. By not using organic ingredients we are potentially introducing new toxins into the body.
On day 1 of medical school future physicians learn the latin phrase "Primum est non nocere" - First of all, do no harm. We believe that by using organic ingredients we are following this same philosophy.