Ethical Issues Concerning Organic Certification and Labeling of the Food We Eat.
Are we truly being ethical consumers by buying organic food products?
Ethical issues concerning organic certification and labeling of the food we eat.
Abstract
This paper explores the ethical issues concerning the certification of organic food products. Consumers have a higher tendency to purchase food products labeled as organic due to their concern for the environment and other purposes intended by organic foods. As such, the organic food market has seen an increasing growth trend in sales. However, it has been uncovered that many companies that produce supposed organic foods do not truly conduct their production process as fittingly as proponents of organic food intended. In this case, consumers are not getting what they bargained for when buying organic foods. Instead organic food labels have become a marketing device for food companies. This paper critically examine if this type of advertising misleads the consumer and poses an ethical dilemma.
Introduction
In the past twenty years, with research and increased knowledge, consumers are more aware of the source of the food they buy. In particular, organic certified food products have became more popular and essential to their diet. Such certification for food has been implanted due to ethical concerns, ranging from health to environment to food modification issues, such that consumers can make more informed choices. However, the commercial success and ease of attaining the certifications have raised critical eyebrows – are they really resolving the concerns they were meant to, or are they a new set of ethical dilemmas? This paper aims to look at the extent to which organic food certification is used as a marketing tool and in turn the ethical concerns rose.
Organic Certification for Food
The true intent of organic foods is to produce fruits and vegetables, and raise livestock in an environmentally friendly and sustainable way. This includes minimal usage of resources, maintaining the fertility of the
Ethical issues concerning organic certification and labeling of the food we eat.
Abstract
This paper explores the ethical issues concerning the certification of organic food products. Consumers have a higher tendency to purchase food products labeled as organic due to their concern for the environment and other purposes intended by organic foods. As such, the organic food market has seen an increasing growth trend in sales. However, it has been uncovered that many companies that produce supposed organic foods do not truly conduct their production process as fittingly as proponents of organic food intended. In this case, consumers are not getting what they bargained for when buying organic foods. Instead organic food labels have become a marketing device for food companies. This paper critically examine if this type of advertising misleads the consumer and poses an ethical dilemma.
Introduction
In the past twenty years, with research and increased knowledge, consumers are more aware of the source of the food they buy. In particular, organic certified food products have became more popular and essential to their diet. Such certification for food has been implanted due to ethical concerns, ranging from health to environment to food modification issues, such that consumers can make more informed choices. However, the commercial success and ease of attaining the certifications have raised critical eyebrows – are they really resolving the concerns they were meant to, or are they a new set of ethical dilemmas? This paper aims to look at the extent to which organic food certification is used as a marketing tool and in turn the ethical concerns rose.
Organic Certification for Food
The true intent of organic foods is to produce fruits and vegetables, and raise livestock in an environmentally friendly and sustainable way. This includes minimal usage of resources, maintaining the fertility of the