Sunday, May 13, 2007

Beyond Organix

USDA and UK Ministry of Agriculture statistics show that food grown today has from 30 to 70 percent less nutritional value than the same foods grown 50 years ago. Eating all the right foods today still leaves us short of needed nutrition. Yes, we can and should supplement to help make up the shortfall, but the best way the get truly health-giving nutrition is via our food. Nutrients are assimilated better and give us better health if contained in the food in biologically complexed forms.

We would like to believe that "Certified Organic" delivers us better and more comprehensive nutrition. It may in about 20 percent of the cases and certainly "organic" promises a lower pesticide residue of modern pesticides. But "Certified Organic" is a procedural program,not an outcome program. Yes, there are some examples where "organic" products are nutritionally better than conventionally grown (Influence of organic diet on the amount of conjugated linoleic acids in breast milk of lactating women in the Netherlands, Rust L, Mueller A, et al, Research Department, Paracelsus Hospital Richterswil, Bergstrasse 16, CH-8805 Richterswil, Switzerland.)

Outcome is really what counts and the outcome of importance in food is nutrient density and taste. This means actual levels of all the nutrients necessary for human and animal health. With higher nutrient levels, foods taste better, look better, store better, ship better and are proven better for us. To this end after years of work we have formed an independent certification organization called BYO, Beyond Organix in Fresno, California with partners Stan Kadota, Mark and Ted Nakata. The BYO Seal of Quality will not be a replacement for "Certified Organic" or any other label. It is a stamp of documented provable nutritional value of the food, a Seal anyone can get added to their label if their food meets the standard. Keep in mind, as the nutrient value of the food increases, by default we automatically address the pesticide residue issue, the environmental issues, green house gas issue, sustainability of family farms and fair trade issues.

We first will start with brix. The brix is a measurement of dissolved solids and sugars measured with a refractometer. The higher the brix reading the sweeter will be the product. Once a minimum brix is achieved, the produce qualifies for specific nutrient testing. Our initial standards will be 1940 USDA nutrient levels. Once achieved, the food commodity will get the BYO Seal of Quality added to its label.

Initially, BYO fresh foods will only be available in selected small store chains because we only have a very limited supply of such superior quality product and the small store chains cater to the more discerning shoppers starting in Northern California and NW US/Canada. Our intent is to take BYO internationally beginning in Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Japan and UK. We are also working on a similar program for dairy and beef. No genetically engineered products will be allowed.

It is a certification whose time has come. Consumers vote daily with their food dollars and the votes say "give me better quality food." BYO's website will be up soon.

6 comments:

terrabuilder said...

Thank you Dr. Andersen, your article does not suprise me in the least. A Congressional study done around 1920, concluded that U.S. farm soil was depleted of minerals. This is one reason why we are suffering so many degenerative diseases. One thing that was left out of your short treatise is that in the U.S. "organic" is more of a "buzz word" only because the government has lowered the standards of what is "organic" in favor of the food processing corporations. They have noticed the move towards organic and moved on it and getting the government to partner with them all in the name of profit. Non GM labeling is also another corporate partnership with the government. The best way is to grow your own and then there is no question as to where it came from and what regulations that particular food is covered by. I am therefore offering a free sample of my 100% organic fertilizer to anyone in this group that wants to grow their own. One thing you can count on as far as growing your own is concerned; if insects are attacking your garden or crops that simply means that something is still wrong with the soil. More than likely a lack of minerals and/or microbes. If you are interested in my offer, you will have to email me directly.

Mark DeBarbieri

marzbar said...

Terrabuilder,
I am interested in your organic fertilizer for an existing garden in the southwest, with high calcium soil and hard water. I do not know how to email you directly. Please email me at mrharve at tularosa dot net. Thanks, Marzbar

RolandStanbridge said...

Hello, I see from a June 2009 document that,apart from the US, Beyond Organix has certified farms in Korea, Mexico, and Indonesia. May farms in other countries apply, e.g. here in Sweden where I live? Regards, Roland.

RolandStanbridge said...

Hello, I see from a June 2009 document that,apart from the US, Beyond Organix has certified farms in Korea, Mexico, and Indonesia. May farms in other countries apply, e.g. here in Sweden where I live? Regards, Roland.

Shane Ahmann said...

Thank you Arden for the information you site on this web site. The more information we get out there the faster things will change and I appreciate you taking the valuable time to post as much information as you can to help us all.
Shane Ahmann

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