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MrsC

Squeeker

Joined: Sep 20, 2007
Posts: 12

Status: Offline

Posted: Dec 04, 2007 - 02:27 PM
Post subject: Organic ORGANIC Organic

I have managed to source many organic products but I am stuck on where to buy the following, please help !!!

ORGANIC FRUIT - HELP !!! So far have only seen a few bits (not great taste either) at Carrefore, City shop currently do not sell any fresh organic fruit, only the frozen varities.

Organic Choppped Tomatoes

Organic Dried fruit (raisins/apricots etc)

Organic Porridge Oats

The City shop on Huai Hai as far as I can see (and i go there alot) doesn't do any of these, not sure if any other city shops do, when I called the hotline they said they currently didn't, so does anybody know anywhere else??
Also has anyone ever tried shipping/airfrighting consumables?? we were advised against it, anyone have any experience of this??

nuthatch

Talker

Joined: Mar 23, 2007
Posts: 104

Status: Offline

Posted: Dec 04, 2007 - 03:21 PM

I am sure I have seen an organic food store in Huangjin Cheng Dao near to Gubei Carrefour. I didn't go in so can't tell you anymore.

yu888
Board Deity

Joined: Jan 25, 2003
Posts: 19335
Location: ZhongShanParkArea SH

Posted: Dec 04, 2007 - 04:57 PM

Have not seen those particular items around much. O Store used to import some and get some different organic locally but now the only place dedicated to organics I know is Vintage Living in Jing An District. COntact Jeanie at Vintage living about their Organic meals deliverys, Organics farm (out in Pudong i think) and about their fresh Organic produce. Despite their Barrels bar being not so hot, their dedication to Organics is something I respect very much and wish them al the best.
http://vintageliving.cn/en/index.php
http://vintageliving.cn/en/include/img/govl.jpg

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Monada

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Joined: Nov 21, 2007
Posts: 17

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Posted: Dec 04, 2007 - 07:01 PM

I buy organic instant porridge oats from Carrefour Gubei. The imported foods section has an American brand. They also have an organic brand in the local porridge section even though if I remember right those oats were imported from England too. The thing I do not like too much is that they pack everything in small portions in little bags inside a box, which I think is total waste, but anyway the taste is good.

frosties1

Barker

Joined: July 25, 2006
Posts: 166

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Posted: Dec 04, 2007 - 09:01 PM

You can get some Organic products from the supermarket at Jiuguang, JingAn district too..Small but pretty well packed with organic food.

MrsC

Squeeker

Joined: Sep 20, 2007
Posts: 12

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Posted: Dec 04, 2007 - 09:54 PM

Thankyou all for your suggestions, yu88 - I am amazed at your knowledge, do you hire out your brain for us Shanghai newbies?

futurepunk

Newbie

Joined: Nov 30, 2009
Posts: 1

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Posted: Nov 30, 2009 - 11:12 PM
Post subject: Organic Food in China

Hey guys I live in Shanghai and I have quite a hectic life over here and I wonder if you guys feel the same hence the idea of making your own food yourselves can be a demanding task. So for all the organic food goers on earth I recommend ordering from Organic Kitchen Shanghai. I ordered for the first time there and I was really impressed. I can honestly say that it was one of the most delicious and freshest tasting produce and chicken I have had in Shanghai. I hope they can keep it up because I will order from here all the time if they do. They even threw in a free chocolate cake which again I can say was the best I have had in China. Puts Element Fresh to shame.
http://organickitchenshanghai.com

Regards to all organic lovers...

Humac
StreetBeater

Joined: July 07, 2007
Posts: 2252

Posted: Nov 30, 2009 - 11:18 PM

Oh for goodness sake. Not again...

Klick

Rocker

Joined: Jan 04, 2009
Posts: 797
Location: pupudongadong
Status: Offline

Posted: Nov 30, 2009 - 11:21 PM

Well you know what they say, if at first you don't succeed, keep annoying the crap out of everyone with your ridiculously transparent spam.

tihZ_hO
Shanghai Royalty

Joined: Feb 17, 2004
Posts: 8831
Location: Jakarta - I got Paroled from Shanghai

Posted: Nov 30, 2009 - 11:44 PM
Post subject: Re: Organic ORGANIC Organic

MrsC wrote:

You are aware that Organic is all marketing as it is a multi-billion dollar industry.

Organic does not mean chemical free. Organic farming uses old technology "pre-synthetic" insecticides and fertilisers.

One thing its not: the image of Ma & Pa tending the veggies in their garden with daisy the cow in the background.

One thing it is: a placebo, organic produce does not actually taste any better or is any more healthy than "non-organic" produce.

In a televised taste test a non-organic banana was cut in half and one half was labelled organic and the other non-organic. 9/10 picked the organic banana as tasting better. Laughing

I say this as I am frustrated that supermarkets are now PUSHING higher priced organic produce! Before organics the non-organic produce was very good and fresh but now its only crap so you have to buy the organic stuff.

Organics has become a religion and I am an atheist Mad

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Humac
StreetBeater

Joined: July 07, 2007
Posts: 2252

Posted: Dec 01, 2009 - 12:01 AM
Post subject: Re: Organic ORGANIC Organic

tihZ_hO wrote:

organic produce does not actually taste any better

You're not a smoker by any chance tihZ_hO?

Andreas
Board Legend

Joined: Feb 27, 2004
Posts: 10132
Location: s/v Waratah

Posted: Dec 01, 2009 - 12:03 AM

Do the search, like many before you. The search function on this forum DOES work. Wink

This subject has been discussed in detail here.

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Humac
StreetBeater

Joined: July 07, 2007
Posts: 2252

Posted: Dec 01, 2009 - 12:04 AM

Andreas wrote:

Do the search, like many before you. The search function on this forum DOES work. Wink

This subject has been discussed in detail here.

She probably has. Mrs C asked the question two years ago.

Hydro

Rocker

Joined: July 15, 2009
Posts: 654

Status: Offline

Posted: Dec 01, 2009 - 12:09 AM

tizo, could not agree more with you!!!

Snippets

FooJay

Joined: Apr 09, 2005
Posts: 1768

Status: Offline

Posted: Dec 01, 2009 - 12:17 AM

tihZ_hO is correct.

The American Academy of Pediatrics position is that organic baby food does not provide one bit of additional nutritional benefit to children nor does feeding your children non-organic food pose anymore risk than feeding them organically grown foods.

A bit of plagiarism on my part, bits & pieces I stole from the net:

"No difference in immunity. Organic just means grown without pesticides. This is supposedly better for the environment, but in reality, it takes so much more land, water and labor (not as much of the total crop turns out usable as traditionally grown crops) that it negates any benefit to the environment. Add the extra cost of packaging and transporting it (by truck, usually) and the toll on the environment climbs even higher. Plus they are more expensive unless you find them on sale."

and from the BBC for your Brits:

"Is organic food 'better'?

Mixed tomatoesThe Food Standards Agency (FSA) has been unwilling to endorse the nutritional or health benefits of organic food in the absence of strong scientific proof. It advocates consumer choice rather than an aggressively pro or anti-organic stance. Government ministers have followed suit by describing buying organic food as a 'lifestyle' choice. Given that most people don't eat enough fruit and vegetables, the logic goes, it's important they are not put off eating more by believing conventional produce isn't healthy.

The FSA continually reviews the latest research to make sure its advice is based on the most up-to-date science. In July 2009, the results of an FSA-commissioned report into the nutritional benefits of organic food were released. The study, led by researchers from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, aimed to test whether organic food is more nutritious than conventionally produced food, and to what degree. The team carried out a systematic review of the 162 peer-reviewed research papers published since 1958 on the health benefits and nutritional content of organic food.

The researchers found that levels of nutrients such as Vitamin C, calcium, potassium and iron remained equal in organic and conventionally produced foods; there were also few differences in the nutritional content of meat, dairy and eggs. Substantially higher levels of phosphorous and small increases in magnesium and zinc were detected in some organic foods, while some conventionally produced foods had a significantly higher nitrogen content. Although the findings showed that about a third of the organic foods studied do offer marginally improved nutritional benefits compared to their conventional counterparts, the report concluded that these variations were too slight to have a real impact on public health. However, the report recognised that the findings were based only on the evidence available at that time.

The FSA praised the study, saying that although consumers have different motivations for buying organic food, the findings would help people to make 'informed choices'. However, the Soil Association criticised the report's methodology, claiming that the study was not conducted on a large enough scale."

http://www.bbc.co.uk/food/food_matters/organicfood.shtml

and from the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine:

Organic food is no healthier, study finds

LONDON (Reuters) - Organic food has no nutritional or health benefits over ordinary food, according to a major study published Wednesday.

Researchers from the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine said consumers were paying higher prices for organic food because of its perceived health benefits, creating a global organic market worth an estimated $48 billion in 2007.

A systematic review of 162 scientific papers published in the scientific literature over the last 50 years, however, found there was no significant difference.

"A small number of differences in nutrient content were found to exist between organically and conventionally produced foodstuffs, but these are unlikely to be of any public health relevance," said Alan Dangour, one of the report's authors.

"Our review indicates that there is currently no evidence to support the selection of organically over conventionally produced foods on the basis of nutritional superiority."

The results of research, which was commissioned by the British government's Food Standards Agency, were published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.

Sales of organic food have fallen in some markets, including Britain, as recession has led consumers to cut back on purchases.

The Soil Association said in April that growth in sales of organic products in Britain slowed to just 1.7 percent in 2008, well below the average annual growth rate of 26 percent over the last decade, following a plunge in demand at the end of the year.

(Reporting by Ben Hirschler; editing by Simon Jessop)

http://www.reuters.com/article/scienceNews/idUSTRE56S3ZJ20090729?sp=tr ue

Now keep in mind, these sources are current and quite reputable, not some crap your local vitamin shop tells you or the what the produce boy at Whole Foods believes.

tihZ_hO
Shanghai Royalty

Joined: Feb 17, 2004
Posts: 8831
Location: Jakarta - I got Paroled from Shanghai

Posted: Dec 01, 2009 - 12:21 AM
Post subject: Re: Organic ORGANIC Organic

Humac wrote:

tihZ_hO wrote:

organic produce does not actually taste any better

You're not a smoker by any chance tihZ_hO?

Non smoker for years though once on blue moon I might have one if I am drinking with friends.

I think I know were you are going with this.

FRESH and GOOD QUALITY tastes GOOD, nothing at all to do with organic! Usually what happens is you get some shitty old veggies to compare with some FRESH QUALITY organics...of course you would choose the organics BUT you are playing with a LOADED DECK, organic had nothing to do with it!

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tihZ_hO
Shanghai Royalty

Joined: Feb 17, 2004
Posts: 8831
Location: Jakarta - I got Paroled from Shanghai

Posted: Dec 01, 2009 - 12:33 AM

Organic farming does not use pesticides! YES THEY DO!!

"Homemade organic pesticide"

1. Tobacco or Nicotine Spray: (WOW!!)

This mixture is great for combating many different types of bugs, but especially caterpillars, aphids, and many types of those nasty worms.

2. Soap Spray:

Another way to stop the slugs is with soapy water. That's right, you can just use your old, dirty dishwater! (Good for the environment?? HA)

3. Alcohol Spray:

This spray really is great for houseplants. This especially works on meal bugs.

1/2 cup of alcohol

2-3 tablespoons of dry laundry soap Shocked

4. Salt Spray:

This solution is used for cabbageworms and spider mites. (Yeah salt is what we need more of in the soil!)

Insecticidal Soap

Ingredients: Insecticidal soap is sodium or potassium salts combined with fatty acids

Horticultural Oil

Ingredients: Highly refined petroleum oil (WTF??)

Potassium Bicarbonate

Ingredients: Potassium bicarbonate usually combined with horticultural oil and / or a substance to improve spreading and coverage of the leaves.

Organic Pesticides Fail EU Safety Review
Article by Greg Conko

Ask people who buy organic food what they like about it, and chances are, most will say “they’re grown without pesticides.” As I’ve pointed out repeatedly, that’s not actually true. While organic farmers do not use synthetic pesticides, they do use a variety of chemicals to control insects and plant diseases — including such potentially dangerous substances as copper sulfate, rotenone, pyrethrum, ryania, and sabadilla. These “organic” pesticides are derived from minerals or plants, are lightly processed, and thus are considered to be “natural” for the purposes of organic agriculture. Yet, ounce for ounce, most are at least as toxic or carcinogenic as many of the newest synthetic chemical pesticides.

Now comes news from the UK’s Farmer’s Guardian newspaper that “early half of the pesticides specially approved for use in organic farming [in the European Union] have failed EU safety tests and more could follow as the rules are tightened.” Conclusions of the risk assessments conducted by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) under EU Plant Protection Products regulations first implemented in 1996 can be found here.

According to the Farmer’s Guardian, EFSA “has approved just 14 of the 27 organic pesticides put before it … although many have received a derogation for continued use.” Still, because more stringent rules are due to be promulgated next year, the European crop protection (i.e. pesticide) industry expects that more of the organic pesticides will be found unsafe.

According to an industry spokesperson, “Organic farmers already have limited options for crop protection and if more products are removed productivity could fall and prices could increase.” Of course, since the organic industry has been touting itself as a “pesticide free” alternative to conventional agriculture, this would just mean that what they’re producing conforms more closely to the hype.

http://www.openmarket.org/2009/03/30/organic-pesticides-fail-eu-safety -review/

Google it! organic pesticides

_________________

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Humac
StreetBeater

Joined: July 07, 2007
Posts: 2252

Posted: Dec 01, 2009 - 12:47 AM
Post subject: Re: Organic ORGANIC Organic

tihZ_hO wrote:

I think I know were you are going with this.

Just wondered. Back in the UK I found it fairly easy to tell the difference, especially chicken and red meat. Maybe not so much with vegetables.

tihZ_hO
Shanghai Royalty

Joined: Feb 17, 2004
Posts: 8831
Location: Jakarta - I got Paroled from Shanghai

Posted: Dec 01, 2009 - 01:11 AM

Meat might be another story - especially Chickens!! Years ago the US chicken producers were injecting chicken flavour into chickens to increase an otherwise bland taste.

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organiclover

Newbie

Joined: Nov 21, 2009
Posts: 4

Status: Offline

Posted: Dec 01, 2009 - 07:31 AM

Organic food is not only healthier for you, it's better for the environment. Do you know about "dead zones" in oceans caused by chemical drift from toxic non-organic pesticides? We are destroying the planet, and it's people who have an attitude like yours who allow it to happen.

You really want to eat the non-organic vegetables in CHINA??? The farmers in China break the rules of farming completely - they spray so many different pesticides, it's no wonder that the deformed birth-rate has skyrocketed in this country. Try read the article below about Greenpeace's findings in China... The farmers use globally banned pesticides - PROVEN to be very dangerous for your health.

GREENPEACE'S STUDY: (you'll probably question Greenpeace as a global marketing scam, too!)

Beijing, China — Hungry? Well, you won’t be after you watch our video below on pesticide use in China or hear about our latest research which puts big name supermarkets to shame.

We’ve known for a long time that pesticides not only kill pests but they also poison our food.

Pesticides have been linked to cancer and fertility problems as well as other frightening long-term health effects.

And China uses a lot of pesticides.

Last month, Greenpeace China sent 45 samples of fruits and vegetables to an independent laboratory to find out how serious the problem was.

The results are very scary.

A poisonous cocktail

Only five samples out of our total of 45 had no pesticides.

We found 50 different kinds of pesticides on the rest.

Many of the samples had two or more traces of pesticide residues, some up to 10!

The problem of multi-pesticide use is very serious. Many farmers have no idea what that cocktail of poisons does to the environment, themselves or to us.

Thirty-four samples had traces of at least three different pesticides; of those 25 had five different kinds; and we even found five samples contaminated with more than 10 different chemicals. These five samples are all from supermarkets.

While individually the pesticides are pretty toxic, no one knows the full effect if they’re found mixed together. Some research seems to indicate that the effect could be even more serious.

This kind of poisoning can’t be totally washed off under the tap.

How did we do this research?
In December last year and February this year we bought commonly-eaten fruit and vegetables from wet markets and four supermarkets – Wal-Mart, Vanguard, Lotus and Nonggongshang -- in Guangzhou, Shanghai and Beijing.

We tested foods like tangerines, strawberries, tomatoes, beans, cabbages and spinach.

Pesticides residues were found across all samples and from all areas showing the problem is nationwide.

Shame on the big name supermarkets

What is even more shocking is that the fruits and vegetables from big name supermarkets like Lotus, Vanguard and Wal-Mart are even more polluted than those collected from the wet markets.

These big chains have a responsibility to their customers to offer clean and safe food.

Those vegetables with illegal pesticide traces and those with 10 different pesticides were all from supermarkets and not wet markets.

Highly toxic

To give a sense of how poisonous these chemicals are we checked the pesticides that turned up positive with international lists of toxic chemicals.

•The Pesticide Action Network UK lists more than 160 pesticides that have been linked to cancer.

We found 21 of them on 40 samples in our research.

And 33 of those had more than one of these chemicals and with eight having five of them!

•The European Union lists 91 pesticides as potential disruptors of the hormone system. This system is vital for health. These chemicals may affect fertility and may impact the development of babies.

Some 38 of our samples contained traces of these kinds of pesticides.

•The World Health Organisation has a list of highly hazardous pesticides.

We found five of those on nine samples in our shopping, including two of which are banned by the Chinese government.

Traces of banned carbofuran were found on cow peas and cucumber.

Methamidophos, also banned, and classified as 'highly hazardous' by the WHO, was also found on cow peas and on capsella (green leafy vegetable).

So what can we do?

It’s obvious that using so many pesticides has to stop.

We have always argued that eco-agriculture, or organic farming, is the only way to ensure that chemicals don’t contaminate our food.

But organic fruits and vegetables are expensive.

We are urging supermarkets to step up checks of their produce to make sure that the food they stock isn’t contaminated by pesticides. They owe it to their customers to only stock safe food.

We are also urging supermarkets to put pressure on their suppliers to use less pesticides and pursue organic farming methods.

As organic farming becomes more widespread the cost of organic food will fall.

And we are urging Chinese consumers to put pressure on their supermarkets to make sure they stop stocking fruits and vegetables soaked in dangerous chemicals.

tihZ_hO
Shanghai Royalty

Joined: Feb 17, 2004
Posts: 8831
Location: Jakarta - I got Paroled from Shanghai

Posted: Dec 01, 2009 - 02:46 PM

^ Did you not understand the previous posts?? Or is this a matter of faith, no matter what. Could be, could be!

Smile

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FooJay

Joined: July 20, 2009
Posts: 1663
Location: Shanghai
Status: Offline

Posted: Dec 01, 2009 - 03:34 PM

I like organic food Confused

But a lot of times in Chicago at least, organic tends to mean local as well, which leads to all sorts of good stuff (support community, fresher, etc)

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rickettyrabbit

Rocker

Joined: Sep 30, 2009
Posts: 777
Location: Minhang District
Status: Offline

Posted: Dec 02, 2009 - 10:00 AM

Organic isn't the solution to better, more nutritious food. Demand from consumers for better tasting food is.

Many of the varieties of fruits and veggies we buy in supermarkets were developed to maximize profits from "industrial farming". For example, the tomatoes shipped by truck from Mexico to Seattle were bred to ripen slowly (long shelf life) and to resist bruising and crushing (cheaper to ship and handle). They taste like cardboard, but they're "red", round and firm (or should I say as hard as a baseball?) on the supermarket shelf. Just what the consumer buys. They don't taste like real tomatoes, but almost nobody knows that these days. But the percentage lost from spoilage and handling damage is minimized, and profits are maximized.

Until people start buying the expensive stuff that TASTES like real food, only a small fraction of the producers will try to grow REAL FOOD. It doesn't have to be organic to taste good and nourish you.

Wabbit