Some consumers are more than willing to pay higher prices for
organically grown food. But are organic strawberries worth the
extra dollar?
The health benefits of organic food are one of the most
intensely debated issues in the food industry. By definition,
organically grown foods are produced without most conventional
pesticides, fertilizers made with synthetic ingredients or
sewage sludge. Livestock aren't given antibiotics and growth
hormones. And organic farmers emphasize renewable resources and
conservation of soil and water.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture, which runs the National
Organic Program, says that organic is a "production philosophy"
and an organic label should does not imply that a product is
superior. Moreover, some say there's no need to eat organic to
be healthy: Simply choose less processed food and more fruits
and vegetables.
The crux of the argument often comes down to the nutritional
benefits of organic foods, something that's hard to measure. To
compare the nutrient density between organically and
conventionally grown grapes, for example, researchers would have
to have matched pairs of fields, including using the same soil,
the same irrigation system, the same level of nitrogen
fertilizer and the same stage of ripeness at harvest, said
Charles Benbrook, chief scientist at The Organic Center, a
pro-organics research institution.
Last summer, the debate came to a head after the American
Journal of Clinical Nutrition published a comprehensive systemic
review that concluded organic and conventional food had
comparable nutrient levels.
The outraged organic community criticized the study for not
addressing pesticide residues, a major reason people choose
organic. The study also did not address the impact of farming
practices on the environment and personal health.
Maria Rodale, a third-generation advocate for organic farming,
urges consumers to look beyond nutrition to the chemicals going
into our soil, our food and our bodies. "What we do to our
environment, we are also doing to ourselves," said Rodale,
chairwoman and CEO of Rodale Inc., which publishes health and
wellness content.
Some experts also suggest consumers focus on the producers
rather than the product itself. For example, Vicki Westerhoff,
54, owner of Genesis Growers in St. Anne, Ill., uses organic
procedures but calls her food "natural" and "chemical-free"
because she hasn't gone through the expensive certification
process.
Here's a closer look at some of the factors that may influence
your decision whether to buy organic products.
Fruits and vegetables
Farmers using conventional practices treat crops with pesticides
that protect them from mold, insects and disease but can leave
residues. Organic fruits and vegetables have fewer pesticide
residues and lower nitrate levels than do conventional fruits
and vegetables, according to a 2006 scientific summary report by
the Institute of Food Technologists.
The bottom line: Experts say pesticide residues pose only a
small health risk. But fetuses and children are more vulnerable
to the effects of the synthetic chemicals, which are toxic to
the brain and nervous system, said Dr. Philip Landrigan,
director of the Children's Environmental Health Center at the
Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York City. The
Environmental Working Group recommends buying organically grown
peaches, apples, bell peppers, celery, nectarines, strawberries,
cherries, kale, lettuce, imported grapes and pears because they
are the most heavily sprayed. Onions, avocado, sweet corn and
pineapple have some of the lowest levels of pesticides,
according to the EWG's Shopper's Guide to Pesticides.
As for nutrition, one French study found that, in some cases,
organic plant products have more minerals such as iron and
magnesium and more antioxidant polyphenols. But although
mounting evidence suggests that soil rich in organic matter
produces more nutritious food, "we are never going to be able to
say organic is always more nutrient dense; that's going beyond
the science," said Benbrook of The Organic Center.
Dairy and meat Organic dairy and meat products come from animals
not treated with antibiotics or genetically engineered bovine
growth hormones, which are used to stop the spread of disease
and to boost milk production. Past rules on "access to pasture"
were vague and didn't require that the animals actually venture
into it. But a new regulation requires that animals graze for a
minimum of 120 days. In addition, 30 percent of their dietary
needs must come from pasture.
The bottom line: The dairy cow's diet is key. Organic milk has
more vitamins, antioxidants, omega-3 fatty acids and conjugated
linoleic acid because the cows eat high levels of fresh grass,
clover pasture and grass clover silage. Research published in
the British Journal of Nutrition found organic milk can improve
the quality of breast milk and may protect young children
against asthma and eczema.
Though the FDA says milk from cows treated with bovine growth
hormone is safe and indistinguishable from other milk, consumers
are spooked. Dean Foods, the nation's largest dairy producer, no
longer sells milk from those cows, and Krogers, Wal-mart,
Costco, Starbucks, Dannon, Yoplait and several other companies
have pledged not to use it.
As with dairy, organic meat has higher levels of omega-3's
because of the higher forage content in their diet. It also has
lower fat overall than animals fed a high-corn diet, said
Benbrook. Eating organic dairy or meat also can help with
another issue: The use of antibiotics on farms has contributed
to an increase in antibiotic-resistant genes in bacteria.
"Pushing animals to grow really fast has a cascade of effects
on the environment and the health of the animal," said Benbrook.
"We need to back off the accelerator and focus on the health of
the plant, the health of the animal, as well as the nutrient
composition of the food."
Cosmetics, personal care Chemicals in personal care products
have been linked to both environmental pollution and human
health concerns. Of particular concern are phthalates, which
have been linked to endocrine disruption. Environmental concerns
also are rising about the tiny nanoparticles now being added to
cosmetics, sunscreens and other products. Notably, organic
personal care products can be labeled "organic" but still
contain synthetic ingredients.
The bottom line: Of the 3,000 chemicals used in high volume in
personal care products, only half have been put through basic
toxicity testing, according to Landrigan. You may be paying more
for "organic" products that aren't actually organic; the USDA
regulates organic personal care products only if they're made of
agricultural ingredients. Look for the USDA logo rather than the
word "organic" on the label.