Chemist explains why organic labels are about marketing, not chemistry

The GLP aggregated and excerpted this blog/article to reflect the diversity of news, opinion and analysis.

. . . . Market research seems to have reached the conclusion that many people will simply not buy anything that is not organic. So, let’s make everything organic!

. . . .

The mismatch between the chemical use of the word [organic] and all other uses creates a number of paradoxes. . .

For example, here are some chemicals that are permitted for use in organic farming:

Copper sulfate, boric acid, elemental sulfur, sodium hypochlorite (bleach), ammonium carbonate and magnesium sulfate.

. . . . Chemically, not one of them is organic.

Here’s another list:

High-fructose corn syrup, aspartame, red dye No. 40, glyphosate, BPA, neonicotinoid insecticides and genetically modified foods (all of them).

. . . .Chemically, every one of them is organic. Which brings up an interesting paradox: Crops that are protected from insects by copper sulfate (not organic) are permitted by the U.S. Department of Agriculture to be called organic, while the same crop that is protected by neonicotinoids (organic) is not . . .

If you are any more confused than when you first read this, don’t feel bad. That was sort of the point.

Read full, original post: Commentary: Organic Oreos? A chemist explains what ‘organic’ really means

{{ reviewsTotal }}{{ options.labels.singularReviewCountLabel }}
{{ reviewsTotal }}{{ options.labels.pluralReviewCountLabel }}
{{ options.labels.newReviewButton }}
{{ userData.canReview.message }}

Related Articles

Infographic: Global regulatory and health research agencies on whether glyphosate causes cancer

Infographic: Global regulatory and health research agencies on whether glyphosate causes cancer

Does glyphosate—the world's most heavily-used herbicide—pose serious harm to humans? Is it carcinogenic? Those issues are of both legal and ...

Most Popular

ChatGPT-Image-Jul-8-2026-12_32_48-PM
Viewpoint: SCOTUS strikes a blow against junk science in Bayer glyphosate case. Will it deter mass tort litigators?
ChatGPT-Image-Mar-10-2026-01_39_01-PM
Viewpoint—“Miracle molecule” debunked: Why acemannan supplements don’t work
afb-a-b
As the EU loosens restrictions on agricultural gene editing, it remains years behind the rest of the world on equally-safe GMO foods
Screenshot-2026-07-08-at-9.36.03-AM
Viewpoint: Long-contained diseases are on the rise in the U.S. Are Trump cuts to blame?
Viewpoint: Consensus as truth? How ‘misinformation police’ control policy narratives
Which among war, weather and cyber attacks is the biggest world threat? None of the above. It’s misinformation, and here’s why.
ChatGPT-Image-Jun-25-2026-12_23_17-PM
No, Bill Gates did not secretly engineer ticks to promote veganism
ChatGPT-Image-Jul-7-2026-01_57_55-PM
Viewpoint: Europe’s rejection of air conditioning is the poster child for misunderstanding how to mitigate the impact of climate change
Screenshot 2026-07-11 100209
Viewpoint: Supplements to clean your liver? Not a good idea.
c9f0a584-46e9-4dd8-9a77-f5f5a7a51a84
Across Eastern Europe, science disinformation has spread far beyond COVID and vaccine denialism. Here’s the grim list.
Gemini_Generated_Image_gabo48gabo48gabo
Viewpoint: A plastic surgeon on why banning gender-transition surgery without further research is wrong and harmful
Screenshot-2026-07-10-at-3.10.50-PM
Snake-oil cures throughout history
Screen-Shot-at-PM-pe-vra-kipgaprbdo-vd-ms-jpule-n-jqqaxf-l-e
Viewpoint: Will new breeding techniques help make European agriculture more competitive?
ChatGPT-Image-Jul-1-2026-03_33_49-PM
‘Alternative’ cancer treatments that could kill you
glp menu logo outlined

Get news on human & agricultural genetics and biotechnology delivered to your inbox.