With news circulating about contaminated meats and produce, some are turning to organic goods. However Laura Paine, Grazing & Organic Agriculture Specialist with the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade, and Consumer Protection, says non-organic beef is subject only to slightly more oversight as organic. She says an organic stamp doesn't guarantee the meat is any safer than non-organic.
For those concerned about animal abuse, organic meats may be the way to go. She claims many organic products are raised on smaller farms and plants meaning it's easier to trace the source of the meats.
"There is probably more likelihood that you would be able to ask questions about production systems and how cattle were treated, and that sort of thing."
Paine says the term organic means the good was produced with no synthetic pesticides or herbicides. Then cleaned and prepared for the market using no synthetic, toxic compounds.
