Organic eggs (Page 2): When I was growing up, my step-father kept a cow. He had her artificlly inseminated a few times to get a calf to be slaughtered after a year or so, for meat. Of...

PhotogHobbyist Loc: Bradford, PA

When I was growing up, my step-father kept a cow. He had her artificlly inseminated a few times to get a calf to be slaughtered after a year or so, for meat. Of course the mother cow also supplied a significant amount of whole milk from which we obtained cream and made butter. It was sufficient dairy for two familes often with surplus. I do not recall him goving the cow much in supplemental feed, she ranged in a pasture he fenced in. The milk was raw, not homogenized or pasteuized and sometimes drank from a glass filled directly from the udder.

I'm guessing all those end products could have been labeled "organic."

fetzler Loc: North West PA

jerryc41 wrote:

I think it refers to what the animals are fed. That's a world I don't want to enter.

I bought a dozen and a half eggs a couple of days ago - $8.55. Because so many chickens got the flu, there aren't as many left to provide us with eggs.

Yep fed fed with grain fertilized with fecal matter.

B1rdr Loc: Northern Virginia

According to an article in today's Washington Post (https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2023/01/19/usda-rule-organic-fraud/?utm_campaign=wp_post_most&utm_medium=email&utm_source=newsletter&wpisrc=nl_most&carta-url=https%3A%2F%2Fs2.washingtonpost.com%2Fcar-ln-tr%2F38e44c3%2F63c97d6eef9bf67b2365e1b4%2F596a3fc5ae7e8a0ef33bc6e0%2F39%2F72%2F63c97d6eef9bf67b2365e1b4&wp_cu=5873d6f15079efa29ee4f01c19c53c19%7C915ea910-aad9-11df-bd09-12313b066011) USDA is making some changes to "organic" definition.

SteveR Loc: Michigan

usnret wrote:

So what is an organic egg? Aren't all eggs organic... (show quote)

As I recall, My Grandmother fed her chickens seed. I'd think that was organic.

Stephan G

usnret wrote:

So what is an organic egg? Aren't all eggs organic... (show quote)

"Organic chemistry is the study of the structure, properties, composition, reactions, and preparation of carbon-containing compounds. Most organic compounds contain carbon and hydrogen, but they may also include any number of other elements (e.g., nitrogen, oxygen, halogens, phosphorus, silicon, sulfur).

Originally limited to the study of compounds produced by living organisms, organic chemistry has been broadened to include human-made substances (e.g., plastics)."

The second paragraph explains somewhat how the term "organic" was expanded to include much of plastics. At first, the element Carbon was the spine for "Organic Chemistry". As Chemistry expanded in the directions of the above mentioned, Carbon is still the basis for "Organic" Chemistry. Labels have always been moved around to meet desired affectations.

Klickitatdave Loc: Seattle Washington

I have never purchased eggs because they are "Organic" because as you point out all eggs are technically organic. The term "Organic" when it applies to food is not officially regulated by any government agency. There are organizations that have established specific criteria that allow food producers to apply a seal on their packaging that designates its compliance with these standards.

What I look for when purchasing eggs is whether the chickens are "Free ranged" and whether they are fed natural rather than altered feed. In other words, are the chickens allowed to live in more natural environments. From what I understand it does not matter whether the eggs are white or brown. Other than the color there is no difference between them.

"Organic" in my opinion ranks up there with "Gluten free". It is so overused that whatever value that the word might have had becomes irrelevant. It is just another marketing ploy to increase the price of goods and increase profits.

bikinkawboy Loc: north central Missouri

Research has never shown organic food to be better or more nutritious than non organic. If you are buying organic from say a farmers market, it’s probably more flavorful because it is fresher and more ripe.

Most of the mass E. coli food poisonings that make national news are due to contamination from livestock manure or lagoon water used as fertilizer. Never has there been one because of commercial fertilizer contamination.

And yes I too believe that too often that “organic “ “ non-gmo” etc are marketing ploys.

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

Klickitatdave wrote:

..."Organic" in my opinion ranks up there with "Gluten free".

"Gluten is a general name for the proteins found in wheat, rye, barley and triticale – a cross between wheat and rye."

Those of us who suffer from Irritable Bowel Syndrome or terrible diseases such as Celiac, must limit or totally restrict their diets from gluten.

I have found oat bread that contains wheat, oat cereal (cold) that contains wheat, and other items you wouldn't suspect. "Gluten-free" is not an over-used term, but rather a necessary and appreciated label.

Tdearing Loc: Rockport, TX

Simply put, an egg is an egg is an egg, but an organic egg is a more expensive egg.

Dalek Loc: Detroit, Miami, Goffstown

Just ordered a dozen and only have two payments left.

Martys Loc: Lubec, Maine

How about organic fire wood by the cord up here in Maine......doesn't burn any cleaner!!!

Klickitatdave Loc: Seattle Washington

Linda From Maine wrote:

i "Gluten is a general name for the proteins... (show quote)

My apologies, I stand corrected. My citing "Gluten-free" as an over-used term was based on seeing products that you would not normally even think would have wheat proteins or have wheat protein derivatives included in them. I can see that someone with IBS has to be very careful to avoid gluten in any form so yes, you are correct in pointing out that this label is essential for sufferers of IBS. Again, my apologies. I learned something from your pointing this out. Thank you!

Lonnie77 Loc: Kennedale, Texas

There is no such thing as organic honey.

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

Klickitatdave wrote:

My apologies, I stand corrected. My citing "Gluten-free" as an over-used term was based on seeing products that you would not normally even think would have wheat proteins or have wheat protein derivatives included in them. I can see that someone with IBS has to be very careful to avoid gluten in any form so yes, you are correct in pointing out that this label is essential for sufferers of IBS. Again, my apologies. I learned something from your pointing this out. Thank you!

No worries. Even though "gluten" may not be well understood by some, I know the types of labels you're referring to.

Never underestimate the willingness of the general public to remain blissfully uninformed - including regarding the USDA requirements for an "organic" label

SteveFranz Loc: Durham, NC

jerryc41 wrote:

I avoid anything labeled as organic. 1. Is it really? 2. So what? 3. It's more expensive.

Well said, Jerry!