Food 'n' Drink |

A new survey asked consumers what they think when they enter a supermarket and see organic food on display, the majority answered either chemical free or expensive.

Expensive is true given the fact that organic foods can cost on average from ten percent more than conventional food, up to a massive100% more.

However, chemical free is not a true assumption as even foods that contain the label organic can still be grown with chemicals so long as the chemicals on are the list of approved substances offered by organizations across the UK and Europe.

Most people at major supermarkets who responded the question of organic food explained that the items were not made with pesticides or fertilizers.  In particular, one staff member claimed the food was not genetically modified, while only one was able to answer correctly, stating that organic foods are grown with the use of fewer chemicals.

Even a Soil Association spokesperson stated that organic food items were grown without pesticides before changing their response to a ‘minimal amount’ of pesticides.

Although organic food growers are not trying to scam consumers, some customers still feel a bit let down when they learn that there are still pesticides used on organic foods.

This could be due to the fact that most organic food items do not have labels that explain what organic really means.

For example, a bag of potatoes that were organically grown at a leading UK supermarket has a label that states the produce meets the standards of the EU and UK law.

With undiscerning labels such as these, it is easy to be misled since most consumers are not aware of what the standards actually are.

Finding out is an even larger problem, as  the standards are not available on the Soil Association website, instead only a Consumer Guide to their standards is available, which explains how organic farming is grown, but does not list the approved fertilizers or pesticides that are used.

The Christmas frenzy is now in full swing with many looking to find organic and eco-friendly Christmas gifts this year. Leading online organic and vegan retailer Greenlife Direct has increased its range of products this year and has a few tips to help with those last minute Christmas stocking filler dilemmas.

Booja Booja chocolate truffles are handmade and contain fresh organic bananas combined with organic French cognac and come presented in a beautifully presented wooden box, made from 100% renewable poplar wood. Such is their organic pedigree that they can boast being 100% organic, gluten, dairy and wheat free – meaning they are an ideal Christmas gift for vegan friends and family members.

To top it all – these rather delicious chocolate truffles are Non-GMO and have the Organic Standard by the Soil Association to prove it.

For those looking for something that is a little bit different but more on the side of new and slightly, dare we say it “cool”, Greenlife Direct have recently introduced the Mr Scruff range of teas. Renowned for his DJ skills Mr Scruff brought out his teas to help with the growing problem of teenagers binge drinking culture. He can be heard to announce on his UK wide tour “Let’s have a brew” – and his new range is being widely purchased by the teenager and young adults market.

His range includes Look Lively Tea Bags containing organic lemongrass, yerba maté and mint for a proper uplifting brew; whilst his Mint and Chilli Tea Bags is a blend of spearmint and peppermint with a twist of chilli for an extra mini-tickle factor – and should clear the cobwebs.

Visit Greenlife Direct for a wide range of organic Christmas Gifts from their gluten free Christmas Puddings to indulgent, organic chocolates, natural cosmetic products and much more.