What are the pros and cons of choosing organic food? Does it make a difference if you buy organic? I demystify organic food, and answer your top questions.
The consumer trend towards organic products is driving up the price tag. According to data from the Hartman Group, 44% of consumers will pay 20% more for fresh organic vegetables, while 37% are willing to pay more for organic chicken. What is the driving force behind this natural purchasing power? A Pew Research Center study found that health is an important factor; 76% of people reported health concerns as their primary motivation for buying organic food, and 33% reported environmental concerns as the reason for their purchase decision.
But what does organic mean on a food label? Organic farming emerged from a philosophy in the 1960s that focused on stewardship of land, wildlife, and communities, in contrast to the modern agricultural system, which relied on fossil fuels (synthetic pesticides and fertilizers) and technology. Today, the USDA National Organic Program (NOP) maintains standards for organically produced agricultural products, supporting a farming system that promotes ecological balance and biodiversity, improves soil and water quality, and preserves nature and wildlife. Artificial fertilizers, many synthetic pesticides, sewage sludge, radiation, and genetic engineering cannot be used; Only products certified to meet USDA organic production requirements may carry the USDA Organic Seal.
Although the USDA certified organic program is strong and well managed, many people have many questions about the real benefits of buying organic food. Is organic food healthy? Are organic foods nutritious? Are they really better for the environment? Should I prioritize my shopping dollars to buy organic? I demystify organic food, and answer some of your top questions.
Clearing Up Confusion About Organic Foods
1. Is Organic Food Healthy for You?
It’s complicated! You might think that organic produce is richer in nutrients than its conventional counterparts, but science is clouded on this matter. The Stanford study found little difference in vitamin content, and no evidence of health benefits for those using the natural product. However, the researchers emphasized the importance of long-term studies to look at the health effects of people using organic vs. They also found that organic produce has a 30% lower risk of pesticide contamination than conventional, and children have lower levels of pesticide residues in organic food compared to conventional. The structure is strengthened, as a new study has found that the concentration of antioxidant compounds was much higher in the natural product compared to the conventional one. And a recent review of studies on the health effects of organic food, including 35 studies, concluded that significant positive results were seen in long-term studies where the increase in organic food was linked to a reduction in the risk of infertility, birth defects, allergies, otitis media, pre-eclampsia, metabolic syndrome, high BMI, and non-Hodgkin lymphoma. The main point? Although there may be some health benefits of organic food versus conventional food, there is no significant difference in the major components, except for antioxidant compounds.
2. Why Should I Buy Organic?
Research suggests there may be some nutritional and health benefits to choosing organic, but most nutrient levels were similar in organic vs. normal. And that shouldn’t be surprising, since organic farming isn’t that much final product as it is about process. The main reason for choosing organic is not about the quality of the food itself; it’s about How food is grown. Organic farming focuses on promoting ecological balance and biodiversity. It prioritizes caring for the soil, and reducing the use of fossil fuels, including pesticides and fertilizers. Research shows that organic farms are better at sequestering carbon, protecting pollination, reducing water pollution, and promoting greater ecosystem protection.
3. Are Organic Foods the Same?
Not by a long shot. Due to the growing interest in organic matter, many producers are there to grow and produce organic food. And that means there are many different styles of organic agriculture, from the mom-and-pop farm that sells its produce at the local farmers market to the multi-million dollar farm with products on many store shelves. Ask any organic farmer, and they will tell you that some farms practice strategies that go beyond NOP standards, refusing to spray even approved organic pesticides and sell their produce locally, while others complain of little compliance with the standards. Some organic products are flown in from distant countries, making you doubt the concept of sustainability. And some organic foods are labeled as “made organic”, which means they contain at least 70% certified organic ingredients. The moral of the story? If you are shopping for organic products, do your homework on organic producers before purchasing products.
4. Is Organic More Sustainable?
In general. The NOP standards promote many sustainable practices, including the use of organic rather than synthetic fertilizers, cover crops, and crop rotation. The FAO reports that organic farming can lead to long-term environmental benefits by protecting soil and water and mitigating climate change. However, the NOP does not require that the food be produced locally. Bottom line: The US imported 1,684 million pounds of organic produce in 2021. Transporting food over long distances—especially by air—is not a sustainable practice.
5. Is Organic Food Pesticide Free?
That’s not the case. While most synthetic pesticides are not allowed on organic produce, there are exceptions—25 are allowed, compared to about 900 allowed in conventional agriculture. Most organic pesticides are “natural” substances, such as soaps or lime sulfur. The concept of organic production is that farming methods, such as biodiversity, natural boundaries, soil health, and natural predators, reduce pest problems on farms so you don’t have to rely on pesticides. However, every organic farm is different—some use no pesticides at all, while others use whatever is available to them.
Which Foods Should You Buy Organic?
With organic foods at a premium, you may want to prioritize your organic dollars where they count most. This food should be at the top of your list.
- Leafy vegetables. Leafy vegetables. Plants that grow close to the ground are often favored by insects. In fact, in the Environmental Working Group’s (EWG) annual review of pesticides in produce, they often find the highest levels of pesticides in spinach, kale, collard and mustard greens.
- Strawberries. The EWG has consistently found that strawberries, which grow close to the ground, contain up to 20 pesticides.
- Peaches and Nectarines. The EWG routinely lists both peaches and nectarines on their list of foods that have been found to contain at least one pesticide in nearly every sample they’ve tested.
- Cherries. Although it does not appear every year on the “Dirty Dozen” list, the EWG found that cherries tested positive for pesticide residues in many of the samples it analyzed.
- Apples. The EWG routinely found that apples tested positive for pesticide residues in nearly every sample they tested.
Save Your Money on This Organic Food
If your food budget is limited, don’t waste your organic food dollars here.
- Candy and soda. Foods with natural sugars are just as bad for your health as regular sugary foods.
- Baked goodies, such as cookies, cakes, pies. A few organic ingredients in the treatment of rot will not make it more healthy.
- Nuts. The hard outer shells of nuts usually protect the inner kernel from insects. The thick shell may explain why the EWG found few pesticide residues among these fruits in their analysis.
- Avocado. Those skins seem to protect the avocado; EWG found several pesticide residues in these fruits during analysis.
- Citrus fruits it often registers among the lowest levels of pesticide residues, according to the EWG.
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