Annotated Bibliography
An annotated bibliography is a bibliography that includes brief explanations or notes for each reference. The explanation usually summarizes and analyzes the source. All these references pertain to the topic of the American Food Industry. They have helped my group and I complete our Collaborative Research Project.
Are Organic Foods Really Any Safer?
In this article, "Are Organic Foods Really Any Safer," Amy Clark investigates eating organically. After interviewing consumers who eat solely organic foods she interviewed Mark Kantor, a professor of nutrition at the University of Maryland. He claims eating organically and believing that it is healthier and safer is "wishful thinking." An organic consumer could be exposed to e-coli just like a non-organic consumer. He discusses how there is no advantage to eating organically. The article also mentions how organic food sales are rising twenty percent each year.
This article helps our group investigate claim #2. Through this article our group noticed that no matter what kind of research there is, consumers still strongly feel that eating organic is safer. We were able to quote Mark Kantor when he explains how e-coli still could appear in organic foods. This really surprised my group and I; most consumers are not aware they could receive harmful disease and bacteria through organic foods. By reading this article and learning this information we were able to better understand if eating organically really is any safer.
Clark, Amy, writ. "Are Organic Foods Really Any Safer." CBS Evening News: 11 Feb 2009. Television.
<http://www.cbsnews.com/2100-18563_162-2660788.html>.
This article helps our group investigate claim #2. Through this article our group noticed that no matter what kind of research there is, consumers still strongly feel that eating organic is safer. We were able to quote Mark Kantor when he explains how e-coli still could appear in organic foods. This really surprised my group and I; most consumers are not aware they could receive harmful disease and bacteria through organic foods. By reading this article and learning this information we were able to better understand if eating organically really is any safer.
Clark, Amy, writ. "Are Organic Foods Really Any Safer." CBS Evening News: 11 Feb 2009. Television.
<http://www.cbsnews.com/2100-18563_162-2660788.html>.
Dr. DiRosa
In the interview with Dr. DiRosa, a teacher in the Health and Exercise Department at Rowan University, my group gained knowledge on organic foods. The part time professor discussed how organic foods are not that different from non-organic foods; one of the only difference is how organic is produced. Organic foods are produced without conventional pesticides. However, this doesn't mean farmers don't use pesticides at all, instead they use a lower exposure of pesticides. Since they can't use synthetic fertilizer, cow manure is used. When growing organically farmers can't use antibiotics, growth hormones, or genetic engineering. If all these rules are followed then the USDA will label organic foods with a organic seal. Dr. DiRosa shares how although people may believe organic food is more nutritional there is no difference in the vitamins in minerals. An organic potato chip has the same calories as a non-organic potato chip. There also has been no evidence to support that organic food tastes better; it all depends on personal preference and where the food is grown. She explained how she personally does not solely eat organic foods, especially since organic costs more (10-40% more expensive). Her preference when eating organic is to find a balance; she will buy organic meat, but non-organic fruits and vegetables. Dr. DiRosa calls eating organically a "moral and ethical convection."
From this interview my group and I gained a greater knowledge on organic foods. We really believed organic foods were better for a consumer. However, after this interview I realize consumers may be mislead when it comes to eating organically. There are three topics Dr. DiRosa touches on throughout the interview that our group is going to use for our final project: nutrition, safety, and taste. We plan to use this interview as one of many sources to back up our claims. Through this interview our main research question was discovered: Is eating organically more nutritious, safer to eat, and tastier? According to Dr. DiRosa there is no difference in vitamins and minerals. Pesticides are still used, which leaves our group and other consumers wondering, is eating organically actually safer? Lastly, DiDrosa mentions there is no research to support that organic foods is actually tastier. Overall, it seems the only difference between organic and non-organic foods are how the food is grown and the price. My group plans on taking this source to help consumers receive a better understanding for organic food.
Dr. DiRosa, . Personal Interview. 06 Apr 2012.
From this interview my group and I gained a greater knowledge on organic foods. We really believed organic foods were better for a consumer. However, after this interview I realize consumers may be mislead when it comes to eating organically. There are three topics Dr. DiRosa touches on throughout the interview that our group is going to use for our final project: nutrition, safety, and taste. We plan to use this interview as one of many sources to back up our claims. Through this interview our main research question was discovered: Is eating organically more nutritious, safer to eat, and tastier? According to Dr. DiRosa there is no difference in vitamins and minerals. Pesticides are still used, which leaves our group and other consumers wondering, is eating organically actually safer? Lastly, DiDrosa mentions there is no research to support that organic foods is actually tastier. Overall, it seems the only difference between organic and non-organic foods are how the food is grown and the price. My group plans on taking this source to help consumers receive a better understanding for organic food.
Dr. DiRosa, . Personal Interview. 06 Apr 2012.
Food Inc.
In this film, Director Robert Kenner, interviews and gathers information from meat packing industries, farmers, authors etc. to discuss the topic of food in America. Through his journey and research, viewers are able to rethink their eating decisions. His camera shots show images and footage of the torture animals go through while they are being killed for us to eat. He also shows footage of crops that we eat daily being sprayed by pesticides and other chemicals. His final words tell the viewer to be aware of what they are eating.
We used this video to find a theme for our project. Our theme is Organic food and whether or not it is safer, more nutrious and tastier than non organic foods. Along with this film, our project takes the same idea of being informative. We are not trying to tell viewers and readers to eat organically or non organically, we are just giving the information needed that everyone is asking about. This film inspired our initial research questions. This is a reliable resource due to the fact that it is a documentary. It has won many awards and caused alot of controversary because of the trueness and information that is recorded.
Kenner, R., Pearce, R., Schlosser, E., Robledo, M., Pohlad, W., Skoll, J., Schorr, R., ... Magnolia Home
Entertainment (Firm). (2009). Food, Inc. Los Angeles, CA: Magnolia Home Entertainment.
We used this video to find a theme for our project. Our theme is Organic food and whether or not it is safer, more nutrious and tastier than non organic foods. Along with this film, our project takes the same idea of being informative. We are not trying to tell viewers and readers to eat organically or non organically, we are just giving the information needed that everyone is asking about. This film inspired our initial research questions. This is a reliable resource due to the fact that it is a documentary. It has won many awards and caused alot of controversary because of the trueness and information that is recorded.
Kenner, R., Pearce, R., Schlosser, E., Robledo, M., Pohlad, W., Skoll, J., Schorr, R., ... Magnolia Home
Entertainment (Firm). (2009). Food, Inc. Los Angeles, CA: Magnolia Home Entertainment.
Is Organic Food More Nutritious?
In the article, "Is Organic Food More Nutritious?" many intervieweed sources state that they there is no exact proof to answer the article's question. Marion Burros studied many "organic farms" do not use the proper certified organic practices while farming and growing what is said to be organic. Many other studies with doctors and professionals prove the claim that Burros is trying to make. But, in the last quote by a doctor, the direction is changed when the doctor says organic food is actually healthier.
This very informative article can be used in two of our claims. The two claims, "Is organic foods safer"? and "Is organic food more nutritious?" is covered by this article. Having doctors interviewed and studies performed really makes us questions the "facts" about organic foods. But then again, there were still professional interviewed that believe that organic food is healthier and safer and has been proven time and time again. These studies were not just performed in recent times when organic foods became more popular. These studies are done in 2003 and in European countries. America already has the expectation of being over weight, so seeing what skinnier and healthier countries had to say, made the information more reliable. This article is reliable because it was posted for a popular newspaper, the New York Times.
Burros, Marion. "Is Organic Food More Nutritious?" Organic Consumers Association. OCA, 16 July 2003.
Web. 24 Apr. 2012. <http://www.organicconsumers.org/organic/organic_nutrition.cfm>.
This very informative article can be used in two of our claims. The two claims, "Is organic foods safer"? and "Is organic food more nutritious?" is covered by this article. Having doctors interviewed and studies performed really makes us questions the "facts" about organic foods. But then again, there were still professional interviewed that believe that organic food is healthier and safer and has been proven time and time again. These studies were not just performed in recent times when organic foods became more popular. These studies are done in 2003 and in European countries. America already has the expectation of being over weight, so seeing what skinnier and healthier countries had to say, made the information more reliable. This article is reliable because it was posted for a popular newspaper, the New York Times.
Burros, Marion. "Is Organic Food More Nutritious?" Organic Consumers Association. OCA, 16 July 2003.
Web. 24 Apr. 2012. <http://www.organicconsumers.org/organic/organic_nutrition.cfm>.
Kathy Barbini - An organic consumer
On April 23, 2012 my group interviewed Kathy Barbini, an organic consumer. She explained how she began eating organically when she lived with a vegetarian gourmet cook in college. She wound up loosing a lot of weight and felt very healthy. In the interview she explains how she feels safer knowing there isn't as many pesticides used in organic foods. Kathy quotes, "I think if pesticides are killing bugs, what are they doing to us? Organic soil is the food a plant eats, if soil is full of chemical fertilizers etc, the plant will drink that. How good could that be?" When asked where she buys her organic products she told us that Trader Joes has the best prices on organic or she will go to health food stores and look for sales. As much she would love to eat organic meat Kathy and her family find it difficult because of the cost. She strongly feels that organic food tastes better, especially the fruit. One interesting question we asked Kathy was if she had to choose only three organic foods to eat, which would she choose and why? She said strawberries and raisins because she hears they are highly sprayed. She wasn't sure about her last choice, but eventually said oatmeal because it's cheap, "so why not?"
One thing that really stood out to my group was that Kathy really believes organic food taste better. We decided to incorporate this quote into our third claim: Is organic food tastier? We also noticed that Kathy, like other consumers, has to pick and choose which organic foods she buys because of the cost. It was interesting that she rather buy the fruits and vegetables over the meat. Whereas, Dr. DiRosa would choose the meat over the fruits and vegetables. This shows that all consumer's preferences vary. Lastly, my group was surprised to find that Kathy knew strawberries and raisins were highly sprayed with pesticides. In fact, strawberries are one The Doctors (see The Doctors annotated bibliography) list of foods consumers should buy organic!
Barbini, Kathy. Personal Interview. 23 Apr 2012.
One thing that really stood out to my group was that Kathy really believes organic food taste better. We decided to incorporate this quote into our third claim: Is organic food tastier? We also noticed that Kathy, like other consumers, has to pick and choose which organic foods she buys because of the cost. It was interesting that she rather buy the fruits and vegetables over the meat. Whereas, Dr. DiRosa would choose the meat over the fruits and vegetables. This shows that all consumer's preferences vary. Lastly, my group was surprised to find that Kathy knew strawberries and raisins were highly sprayed with pesticides. In fact, strawberries are one The Doctors (see The Doctors annotated bibliography) list of foods consumers should buy organic!
Barbini, Kathy. Personal Interview. 23 Apr 2012.
Perceived Pros and Cons
This website points out both the pros and the cons of organic foods. The pros list includes organic farming is good for the environment, is better for the food producers, and is better for the consumers. The argument that the farming of organic foods is better because the chemicals used are safer. The cons list includes food safety, sustainability, and price. This argument states that producing organic food is difficult because the food isn’t safe from wildlife, it has lower sustainability, and is very expensive to produce and purchase. This is an educational site and is definitely credible. We are going to use this information throughout the project to show both sides of the organic food debate.
"Perceived Pros and Cons." Complementary and Alternative Medicine. Web. 18 Apr. 2012.
<http://altmed.creighton.edu/OrganicFood/perceived_pros_and_cons.htm>.
"Perceived Pros and Cons." Complementary and Alternative Medicine. Web. 18 Apr. 2012.
<http://altmed.creighton.edu/OrganicFood/perceived_pros_and_cons.htm>.
Safeness Between Organic and Non Organic
In this artible written by Kenny Goldberg, organic food is analyzed and dicussed by many professional. While many people say that meats are less contaminated, all foods end up being contamiated at some point before consumption. The Food and Drug Administration states that they have no proof that organic food is safer than non organic foods. One of the peopl interviewed said that food can be contaminated, whether they were sprayed with pesticides or not, within a few hours to several days.
This article will be used in our Collabortative Research because it talks about one of our claims. That claim is, " Is organic food safer?" We will be able to apply the facts from the professionals, interviewees and Food and Drug Administration to back up our claim and also using other sources to either agree or disagree with this source. As stated in sources before, this project in informative. We are not looking to put down or bring up organic foods. This source is used to help inform our readers. This article is a reliable source because it is a published author for a news reporting website used to inform readers just as we are.
Goldberg, Kenny. "Feds Say Organic Food Not Safer Than Food Grown Conventionally." Feds Say Organic
Food Not Safer Than Food Grown Conventionally. KPBS, 21 Aug. 2009. Web. 24 Apr. 2012.
<http://www.kpbs.org/news/2009/aug/21/feds-say-organic-foods-not-safer-coventionally-gro/>
This article will be used in our Collabortative Research because it talks about one of our claims. That claim is, " Is organic food safer?" We will be able to apply the facts from the professionals, interviewees and Food and Drug Administration to back up our claim and also using other sources to either agree or disagree with this source. As stated in sources before, this project in informative. We are not looking to put down or bring up organic foods. This source is used to help inform our readers. This article is a reliable source because it is a published author for a news reporting website used to inform readers just as we are.
Goldberg, Kenny. "Feds Say Organic Food Not Safer Than Food Grown Conventionally." Feds Say Organic
Food Not Safer Than Food Grown Conventionally. KPBS, 21 Aug. 2009. Web. 24 Apr. 2012.
<http://www.kpbs.org/news/2009/aug/21/feds-say-organic-foods-not-safer-coventionally-gro/>
Taste Comparison
This source is a newsletter that hits many of the organic produce eaten. This is an informative source with not one specific answer. The writers of this newsletter performed a taste test to prove the myths right or wrong. In the section explaining the taste test, test results may vary depending on whether or not the taster is trained or untrained. Some fruits or vegetables were proven to be tastier than conventional foods. Those foods were apples and tomatoes. Within those studies and taste tests, the organic foods supply higher nutrients in the produce which gave the apple or tomatoe firmness, better textual properties etc.
We plan to use this source under the claim about whether or not organic foods are tastier than non organic,conventional foods. This source is accurate because it comes from a reliable newsletter read by many nutritious eaters. Other than the article, The Organic Center, offers another option into reading more about the taste. While many people cannot taste the difference, this article proves that you can taste the difference.
"Do Organic Foods and Vegetables Taste Better Than Conventional Produce?" The Organic Center. Highlighs
of a State of Science Review. Web. 24 Apr. 2012. <http://www.organic-
center.org/reportfiles/Taste2Pager.pdf>.
We plan to use this source under the claim about whether or not organic foods are tastier than non organic,conventional foods. This source is accurate because it comes from a reliable newsletter read by many nutritious eaters. Other than the article, The Organic Center, offers another option into reading more about the taste. While many people cannot taste the difference, this article proves that you can taste the difference.
"Do Organic Foods and Vegetables Taste Better Than Conventional Produce?" The Organic Center. Highlighs
of a State of Science Review. Web. 24 Apr. 2012. <http://www.organic-
center.org/reportfiles/Taste2Pager.pdf>.
The Doctors Talk Show
One talk show, called The Doctors, discusses everyday topics. The television show's goal is to help viewers make decisions to leading a happier and healthier lifestyle. On one episode, Editor-in-chief of Everyday with Rachael Ray, Liz Vaccariello shares three myths about organic foods. At the end of the scene E.R. physician Dr. Travis Stork explains how viewers can get a complete list of foods that are better to buy organic on their website.
It was interesting to learn about the three myths, but what my group found most interesting was the food list available on The Doctors website. The website explains how consumers should buy organic foods with thinner skin, as the thin skin does not offer as much protection from pesticides. It is not necessary to buy foods with thick skin, such as pineapples because the thick skin offers extra protection against the pesticides. This list could help consumers choose which foods to buy organically and which foods are perfectly safe to buy non-organically. This website with all the segments of the various episodes seems extremely reliable. The Doctors also invite others who are experts on the topics to be guests, such as Liz Vaccariello. On the website there is even a "meet the doctors" section so viewers can learn more about the cast of the show.
McGraw, Phil, prod. "Are You Making the Right Choice?." Prod. Jay McGraw. Organic Food Myths. The
Doctors: 4 Oct 2011. Television. <http://www.thedoctorstv.com/videolib/init/4838>
It was interesting to learn about the three myths, but what my group found most interesting was the food list available on The Doctors website. The website explains how consumers should buy organic foods with thinner skin, as the thin skin does not offer as much protection from pesticides. It is not necessary to buy foods with thick skin, such as pineapples because the thick skin offers extra protection against the pesticides. This list could help consumers choose which foods to buy organically and which foods are perfectly safe to buy non-organically. This website with all the segments of the various episodes seems extremely reliable. The Doctors also invite others who are experts on the topics to be guests, such as Liz Vaccariello. On the website there is even a "meet the doctors" section so viewers can learn more about the cast of the show.
McGraw, Phil, prod. "Are You Making the Right Choice?." Prod. Jay McGraw. Organic Food Myths. The
Doctors: 4 Oct 2011. Television. <http://www.thedoctorstv.com/videolib/init/4838>
What Makes Food Organic?
This website offers an explanation of what makes food organic and sets it apart from the other normal foods. It outlines the agricultural process and the other requirements for the producers of food to ensure that their food in up to the organic standards. This is an informative website meant to teach the readers about what exactly organic food is. We are using this to inform our readers exactly what organic food is.
Dumais, Brittany. "What Makes Food Organic?" Stanly.org. Web. 18 Apr. 2012.
<http://www.stanly.org/pdfs/whatmakesfoodorganic.pdf>.
Dumais, Brittany. "What Makes Food Organic?" Stanly.org. Web. 18 Apr. 2012.
<http://www.stanly.org/pdfs/whatmakesfoodorganic.pdf>.
10 Benefits of Buying Organic
This website provides 10 of the benefits to eating organic foods rather than normal foods. The benefits outlined in this article include hormone free, pesticide free, antibiotic free, higher nutrient levels, prenatal benefits, no artificial colorings, tates better, promotes a healthier water table, higher levels of antioxidants, and supports local economy. The purpose of this site is to educate the public about the benefits of organic food and to also persuade the public to go organic. We are using this in our project as information to support the common claims of organic food.
Simkins, Brian. "10 Benefits of Buying Organic." Women's Health
Issues. 27 Apr. 2007. Web. 18 Apr. 2012. <http://www.lifescript.com/diet-fitness/articles/archive/diet/eat-
well/10_benefits_of_buying_organic.aspx?gclid=CMDw3qTgqq8CFYRM4AodwXHeZA>.
Simkins, Brian. "10 Benefits of Buying Organic." Women's Health
Issues. 27 Apr. 2007. Web. 18 Apr. 2012. <http://www.lifescript.com/diet-fitness/articles/archive/diet/eat-
well/10_benefits_of_buying_organic.aspx?gclid=CMDw3qTgqq8CFYRM4AodwXHeZA>.
6 Myths of Organic Food
This website points out six of the most common myths, or claims, about organic foods. The six myths are organic food is always better for the environment, more nutritious, tastes better, no need to wash it, supports small farms or eco-companies, and it’s better for you. This is an informative website made to educate people who don’t know the truth about organic food. We used this to formulate our major topics of our collaborative project. We took three of the myths and used them as the body paragraphs: Organic food is healthier, safer, and tastier.
Wexler, Sarah Z. "6 Myths About Organic Food." WebMD. WebMD. Web. 18 Apr. 2012.
<http://www.webmd.com/food-recipes/features/myths-organic-food>.
Wexler, Sarah Z. "6 Myths About Organic Food." WebMD. WebMD. Web. 18 Apr. 2012.
<http://www.webmd.com/food-recipes/features/myths-organic-food>.