Organic labels don't mean allergy-free for corn allergies

There's a trend today among those allergic to corn to look for the easy way out. Easy signs on boxes or keywords to look for that increase their chances of something being corn-free. (Personally I really wish we had trustworthy signs on packages, but that isn't going to happen any day soon.)

Over the last few posts here, we've tried to tackle the "corn-free" label on foods issue expressing our concerns that "corn-free" wording means very little to the corn allergic.

However, we've yet to tackle the "Organic" issue that seems to be bandied about today as the be-all of corn-freedom.

"You must look for Organic"… "Is it organic?".. "If it's not organic it'll contain corn."

There was a time when "Organic" actually meant a farmer grew it safely in his field without harmful chemicals and it was delivered to you without waxes or preservatives.  During this time, hunting for "organic" foods was a wise choice for people with a corn allergy.

Then Big Business got ahold of the "Organic" label. Now organic can mean a lot of things and even include nasty things.

What Organic means today is generally that almost any nasty thing that was once made with petroleum is now made with ethanol (corn) which can be sourced "organically".

I don't want to get into the debate of which is healthier for you or which foods have more nutrients. If "organic" on labels actually meant what it should, this wouldn't even be a post.

What I do want to make sure to point out is that "organic" labeling today essentially ensures that if a preservative or wash was used, it was corn-based (or soy). Wax coatings on organic fruits - corn-based. Washes on organic veggies - corn-based. Even foods at farmers markets labeled organic can use pesticides made from organic corn or corn in the fertilizer and corn-based washes.

Organic canned goods.. will have corn-based "organic" citric acid.  Organic meats are still processed/washed with corny acids most of the time.

I've even seen organic potato chips laden with corn-based dextrose and maltodextrin.

If you want to eat "organic", I have no problems with your choice. I would even encourage it.

However, if you're eating "organic" in hopes of being corn-free, you'll be sadly mistaken.