How to be a Green-Mama
Friday, April 25th 2008
A new baby entering your life brings an enormous number of unexpected changes. Along with the little one comes many baby items to purchase. Although having a baby is consumer heaven, the key is to not be sucked into an unnecessary buying frenzy. In truth, a baby has very minimal needs. On the flip side, there is more to a sustainable life with your baby than cloth diapers, organic baby food, and fair-trade clothing.
The following article is about Organic Foods and is the first in a series about how to be a “Green Mama” in Shanghai.
What is Organic?
Before an item is slapped with an organic label, it must pass a certification process and each country has its own standards. Since 2005, a National Organic Food Label has been implemented in China. The China Organic Food Certification Center (COFCC) and the Organic Food Development Centre (OFDC) also provide organic food certification. Look out for the characters “有机” and these labels on packages.
Certified foods cannot be genetically modified or irradiated. Produce cannot be farmed using synthetic pesticides, herbicides or fertilizers. Organic dairy, poultry, meat and eggs are produced without growth hormones and antibiotics. The animals must have some kind of outdoor access, but that standard is poorly defined.
Common sense tells us that it is healthier and kinder to the environment to consume organic food. What is nice is that we are now seeing science catching up. Studies show that on average, organic food contains more vitamins and minerals than non-organic food.
In a nutshell, organic food contains more of the essentials and none of the nasties. As Hippocrates said “Let your food be your medicine, and your medicine be your food.” And don’t forget to bring your reusable shopping bag.
Is it Worth it to buy Organic?
Although organic foods are sometimes the same price as non-organic items, they are often 25 percent, 50 percent or even twice as expensive as conventionally produced foods.
Since most of us do not have the budget to go all organic or have the selection available in Shanghai, when should we spend the extra RMB? Here’s the aisle-by-aisle scoop on organic food.
Milk
If you want to splurge on only one organic product, milk is a good place to start. Latest research shows that organic dairy contains 68% more omega-3 essential fatty acids than standard dairy produce. Mothers who drink organic milk during pregnancy and while breastfeeding can help their babies beat eczema, asthma and related allergies, according to another ground-breaking research. The study suggests the conditions can also be kept at bay if children drink organic milk themselves.
Cows raised on organic farms are not given antibiotics, growth hormones, or pesticide-laden feed — substances that raise health concerns for kids, who tend to drink a lot of milk. It may be especially smart to choose organic if you drink whole milk (which is the majority of the milk available in Shanghai), since some pesticide residues collect in animal fat. And organic milk does not have to be just for kids; If you are pregnant and a heavy milk drinker, consider buying organic to avoid getting the dose of hormones you could get from regular milk.
How about yoghurt? Organic yoghurt has the same advantages as organic milk. To save money,it is easy to make yoghurt from organic milk with a yoghurt machine brought back from home.
The verdict: Worth the extra money, especially for kids who drink lots of milk and for pregnant moms (just make sure it’s pasteurized).
Where to buy: City Shop, Parkson, Lohao, Slice Deli, Organic Valley Food Co (delivery), BebeMamie Yoghurt
Products: Green Yard Organic Pasterized Milk (18rmb/486mL) and Yoghurt (19rmb/486mL), Green Valley Organic UHT Milk (32rmb/1L), BebeMamie Yoghurt (10rmb/jar, 8 jars minimum per week)
Produce
Kids’ developing organs may be more vulnerable to chemical pesticides, so choosing organic produce could be wise — at least for some fruits and veggies. According to analysis from the Environmental Working Group, peaches, apples, sweet bell peppers, celery, nectarines, strawberries, cherries, pears, imported grapes, spinach, lettuce and potatoes are regarded as the “dirty dozen” and have the highest amount of pesticide residue.
Save money by buying organic produce in season (buy in bulk and freeze extras). Or, peel conventional produce to remove most pesticides. Do not rely on washing; It reduces levels of some pesticides, but it will not eliminate them.
The verdict: A smart buy for some produce.
Where to buy: City Shop, Lohao, Fresh Mart, Parkson, Carrefour, Slice Deli, Shanghai Organics (delivery), Vintage Living (delivery), Organic Farm (Beijing, delivery)
Baby Food and Formula
The level of pesticides in conventional baby food is considered safe by the Environmental Protection Agency, but choosing organic baby food will help cut your little one’s exposure. Organic baby food is also easy to make with fresh organic produce.
If you want to avoid the antibiotics and growth hormones given to cows, you can buy organic milk-based formula from some companies (or alternate between organic and regular). But if you use soy formula, choosing organic could make a big difference since soybeans are high in fat and that is where pesticides reside.
The verdict: Go organic when a baby food contains high-residue produce and if your baby drinks soy formula.
Where to buy: City Shop, Taobao (www.taobao.com)
Products: Earth’s Best baby food (18rmb/113g jar) and cereal (39.80rmb/89g box), Similac Organic Baby Formula (approx. 300rmb/728g can) on Taobao
Meat and Poultry
Organic meat, which contains no antibiotics, hormones, or animal by-products, is the fastest growing category of organic food. Research suggests meat from grass-fed animals (a prerequsite for organic rearing) is higher in essential fatty acids while organic chicken contains 25% less fat than intensively reared options. Although it is pricey for organic meat, you have other options.
Pay a little extra for imported or local meat, especially beef, from a reputable supplier. Cattle in China are regularly injected with water prior to slaughter to increase slaughter weights. Trim excess fat from meat or choose lean cuts of regular meat (look for “loin” or “round” in the name), which will at least have fewer pesticide residues since pesticides build up in animal fat. Fish does not have organic standards yet — so even if it has an organic label, it may not mean much.
The verdict: Not necessarily a must but always buy high quality meat.
Where to buy: Fresh Mart, Lohao, City Shop, Shanghai Better Meat Supply Company, Elders
Products: organic eggs (25rmb/dozen) and free range, bamboo fed chicken (32rmb/0.5kg) at CityShop
Cereal, Pasta, DRINKS and snacks
Grain is not a big worry, since it does not tend to collect the same amount of pesticide residue as produce does. White breads and pastas should naturally have lower amounts of residue (most pesticide is on the bran, which is stripped away during processing), but it is smarter to buy regular whole-grain products since they have more fiber and vitamins.
Organic juices, teas and coffees are not essential. Best to look for 100% juice and not punch or nectar which tends to have a large amount of added sugar, corn syrup, artificial flavours and artificial colourants.
As for organic cookies and chips? They are not magically healthier than their conventional counterparts. Although, once in a while, do slurge on a bar of organic dark chocolate instead of a Snickers bar.
The verdict: Save money by buying conventional cereal and pasta — preferably whole grain. Skip the organic treats.
Where to buy: Fresh Mart, Lohao, City Shop, Parkson, Carrefour, Slice Deli
Products: organic brown rice (32rmb/2.5kg), organic penne pasta (35rmb/340g box), organic flax (36rmb/453g bag), organic flour (64rmb/2.26kg), organic 70% dark chocolate (52rmb/100g bar)
List of Suppliers:
Bebemamie Yoghurt: yoghurt
T: 86 21 6437 3717 (9am-6pm), 6269 1701
M: 86 1316 2304 448 (10am-6pm), Jallet Hano
email: order@bebemamie.com
Carrefour: organic produce, organic snacks
Gubei Store address: 268 Shuicheng Road South
Jinqiao Store address: 555 Biyun Road
City Shop: wide range of organic products including organic produce, organic dairy, free range chicken, organic baby food
T: 86 21 6215 0418/6267 4248/6477 9671
F: 86 21 6215 0418/6267 4248
email: order@cityshop.com.cn, customer@cityshop.com.cn
Shanghai Center address: 1376 Nanjing Road West
Hong Mei address: 3211 Hong Mei Road
New World Department Store address: 939 Huai Hai Middle Road, B1
Times Square address: 99 Huai Hai Middle Road, B101
Pudong address: 33 Hua Yuan Shiqiao Road, 1F, West Side Citigroup Tower
Elders: grain/grass fed Australian meat
T: 86 21 3872 0368
F: 86 21 3872 0358
email: elders.china@elders.com.cn
Fresh Mart: organic produce, organic pork
T: 86 21 6856 5249
address: 1618 Nanjing Road West
Lohao: organic produce, organic meat, organic dairy, organic snacks
T: 86 21 5032 7026
Pudong address: No. 326 Hongfeng Road, Jinqiao, Pudong
Puxi address: opening in 2008
Organic Valley Food Company: organic milk (cow, soy, rice, oats), organic cereals, organic juice, organic eggs
T: 86 21 6261 4006
F: 86 21 6242 0313
M: 13918897739, Rocky Chang
Email: sales@organicvalley.com.cn
Parkson: organic produce, organic grains and snacks
T: 86 21 3406 0180
Luwan address: 918 Huai Hai Road
Hong Qiao address: 100 Zhunyi Road
Slice Deli: organic produce, organic snacks and condiments (oils, vinegars, sauces)
Puxi T: 86 21 6386 8588
Puxi address: 99 Huaihai Middle Road
Pudong T: 86 21 3382 0653
Pudong address: 688 Bi Yun Road, Jingqiao
Shanghai Better Meat Supply Company: organic pork, free range eggs, high grade meats
T: 86 21 6856 5249
F: 86 21 6856 9336
M: 86 136 8161 8000, Jun Wagner
email: junwagner@hotmail.com
address: House 183, Seasons Villas, 1983 Hua Mu Road, Pudong
Shanghai Organics: organic produce (just added fruits), organic grains, organic honey
T: 86 21 6249 2118
F: 86 21 5780 4561
email: info@shorganic.com
Vintage Living: organic produce, organic chicken/eggs
T: 86 21 6249 8419
F: 86 21 6249 8417
email: info@vintageliving.cn
address: 2068 Nanjing Road West, 3F
Organic Farm (Beijing): organic produce (including fruits), organic eggs, organic grains
email: organicfarm@126.com
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Rachel Worzencraft:
How about formula? I have seen one in City Shop that is organic - is it worth the extra money? Similarly, is it worth buying the imported (non-organic) formula rather than the Made in China stuff? I think it is because I have no idea what goes into the formula here but what do you all think?
April 28th, 2008 at 4:03 am
Tanya:
Fantastic article- thanks so much! Has made searching for organic food in Shanghai much easier…I had no idea there were so many companies that delivered. Hope this series continues!
Best regards,
Tanya
April 30th, 2008 at 7:48 pm