ORGANIC FARMING AS A PATHWAY TO FOOD SAFETY: REDUCING CHEMICAL CONTAMINANTS AND ENSURING CONSUMER TRUST

Food safety has become an important concern in contemporary agricultural and food supply systems because of potential exposure to pesticide residues, toxic metals, microbial pathogens, and contaminants introduced during production, processing, transportation, and storage. Organic farming is increasingly recognised as an alternative agricultural approach that restricts the use of synthetic pesticides and fertilisers and promotes ecological processes, biodiversity, and soil health. However, the relationship between organic farming and food safety is complex and should not be understood as a guarantee that organic food is entirely free from contaminants. The contribution of organic farming to food safety, with particular attention to chemical contaminant reduction, production-system integrity, certification, traceability, and consumer trust. The role of certification systems, transparent labelling, food testing, supply-chain governance, and consumer awareness in strengthening confidence in organic products. In the Indian context, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) recognises the National Programme for Organic Production (NPOP) and Participatory Guarantee System (PGS-India) within its organic-food regulatory framework. With focus on integrated food-safety and consumer-trust framework combining preventive production practices, risk-based testing, traceability, credible certification, and transparent communication. It concludes that organic farming can contribute to safer food systems when ecological production practices are supported by effective food-safety management and accountable supply chains.