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Discussion » Questions » Food and Drink » Since salt (NaCl) is an inorganic compound, how can it be an ingredient in organic food?

Since salt (NaCl) is an inorganic compound, how can it be an ingredient in organic food?

Posted - September 20, 2018

Responses


  • 16197
    Chordate animals require it - it's the most common electrolyte in the central nervous system. Iron II oxide is also an inorganic compound, it's the most common compound in your blood after water.
      September 21, 2018 12:27 AM MDT
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  • 44173
    Thanks, but that doesn't answer the question. I cannot find references for either of your statements. Iron II ions occur in the hemoglobin sub-units called hemes and have a small mass compared to other elements.
      September 21, 2018 7:43 AM MDT
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  • 6023
    Depends on what definition of "organic" you are using, I guess.

    Most "organic" foods only use that term to mean "natural".
    And since salt is a naturally occurring compound, it qualifies.
      September 21, 2018 8:57 AM MDT
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  • 44173
    I use the chemistry definition.
      September 21, 2018 11:14 AM MDT
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  • 17364
    Walt, "organic" food certification is for nonuse of pesticides and hormones and no GMO seeds.  It's quite a bit more than "natural."  Food processors may use the word natural without limitation (as far as I know, and I'm in no mood to try to find out).  
      September 22, 2018 12:35 PM MDT
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  • 6023
    From what I've heard ... there is no official requirements to use the term "organic" on foods.
    There are only voluntary certifications.

    So I could choose to label food "organic" ... and make up my own certification agency.
    The same way diet supplements work (no FDA oversight of claims).
      September 24, 2018 8:45 AM MDT
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  • 17364
    Organic food is certified by the USDA.

    https://www.ams.usda.gov/grades-standards/organic-standards
      September 24, 2018 5:31 PM MDT
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  • 6023
    My mistake.
    Looks like the government has finally gotten around to requiring certifications (except in farmer-to-farmer situations).
      September 25, 2018 7:36 AM MDT
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  • 17364
    Maybe it's in the soil.

    I'm totally guessing............Thrifty runs from sciency stuff.  :)
      September 21, 2018 9:31 AM MDT
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  • 10026
    Thrifty, I really like your  travel of logic on this question.  I think it is a great solution to the question. :) :)
      September 21, 2018 2:55 PM MDT
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  • 17364
    Thanks.  I didn't really write it like I was thinking about it.  I meant food grown close to a source of salt.  I buy mostly organic produce.  I have read that if you don't buy anything else grown organically, buy organic popcorn.  It is harvested and not rinsed or cleaned.  It has the dirt sifted off and packaged for our enjoyment. I buy popcorn to pop myself, not microwave bags.   I also always buy organic bananas and squash.  The rest I consider price.  The good news is that unless the produce is GMO (five-digit code beginning with an 8), the pesticides can be washed off with vinegar and water soak.  I actually wash tomatoes with soap...........shhhhh don't tell anyone.  ;) This post was edited by Thriftymaid at September 22, 2018 12:43 PM MDT
      September 22, 2018 12:41 PM MDT
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  • The fact is that "organic" in chemistry parlance simply means "containing carbon" and has nothing to do with whether the substance has any connection to living organisms. Many carbon-containing chemicals do, of course, but plenty don't. It's kind of a silly use of the word. 
      September 21, 2018 10:21 AM MDT
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  • 44173
    I agree, but the marketing and advertising folks sure have convinced people with that nonsense.
      September 21, 2018 11:16 AM MDT
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  • 7919
    For the same reason you can eat a date on a date without being a cannibal. 
      September 21, 2018 10:44 AM MDT
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  • 44173
    Doesn't that depend on what date you go on your date eating date.
      September 21, 2018 11:17 AM MDT
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  • 7919
    Perhaps. And it might also matter whether this was posted in adultMug or not, but as we're on the main forum...
      September 21, 2018 9:35 PM MDT
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  • 10026
    You just opened a whole new box of dates!
    I wonder if you ate parts of your date and didn't swallow, would that still be considered cannibalism?  This post was edited by Merlin at September 21, 2018 9:36 PM MDT
      September 21, 2018 2:47 PM MDT
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  • 7919
    LMAO Exactly. 
      September 21, 2018 9:39 PM MDT
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  • 16197
    Cannibalism is gross - but a man who sells vegetables is grocer.
      September 21, 2018 3:33 PM MDT
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  • 7919
    lol Indeed.
      September 21, 2018 9:39 PM MDT
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  • 7280
    Certified Organic 

    wysiwyg_usda-organic-food-label.jpg

    USDA Organic Label

    Right now the most meaningful label on your food, in terms of upholding specific government requirements, is the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) organic seal. For a product to be certified organic, it’s required to meet specific standards:

    Organic crops cannot be grown with synthetic fertilizers, synthetic pesticides or sewage sludge.
    Organic crops cannot be genetically engineered or irradiated.
    Animals must eat only organically grown feed (without animal byproducts) and can’t be treated with synthetic hormones or antibiotics.
    Animals must have access to the outdoors, and ruminants (hoofed animals, including cows) must have access to pasture.
    Animals cannot be cloned.

    https://www.foodandwaterwatch.org/about/live-healthy/consumer-labels?gclid=Cj0KCQjwrZLdBRCmARIsAFBZllEqWxRtDGG7Myyg2W9CJI08gHN5Sw5ykJ7PoFezfyNsPR4iWVV0iSQaAm_TEALw_wcB
      September 21, 2018 2:13 PM MDT
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  • 44173
    I wonder if an organic chemist made up those regs.
      September 22, 2018 6:13 AM MDT
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  • 7280
    I doubt it.

    https://www.organicconsumers.org/campaigns/myth-natural?gclid=CjwKCAjw85zdBRB6EiwAov3RinvfT988XyxbCuoal52nIPVciFcojZ1bdYTnO8QYR9RhEFNgLeqpwhoCM50QAvD_BwE#close
      September 23, 2018 3:59 PM MDT
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  • 22891
    not sure
      September 23, 2018 2:51 PM MDT
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