Organic food is one of the fastest-growing food industries in the United States. Many consumers choose organically grown fruits to avoid ingestion of pesticides and other chemical contaminants, although some do so for environmental reasons or social benefits associated with organic farming. In 1999, the Washington Post reported that "a single serving of some popular fruits and vegetables may contain enough harmful chemicals to exceed government health standards, according to a study by Consumers Union, publisher of the magazine Consumer Reports."
Organically grown fruit is believed to taste better and may have higher levels of nutrients. A study published in the Journal of Applied Nutrition found that organic fruits have higher levels of mineral nutrients and lower levels of heavy metals.
What to Look for
The standards for maintaining the integrity of organic produce prohibit organic fruit from exposure to the water mist or runoff used to hydrate the nonorganic fruits because it can contain chemical traces. Consumers should avoid organic fruits that are not separated from regular produce because it could counteract the intended benefits of buying organic.
Organic fruit that is transported cross-country may be exposed to pollutants during the journey, and environmentalists raise the point that increased carbon emissions from transported produce may counteract the intended environmental benefits of organic farming. If the organic fruit selection does not appear to be fresh at your chain grocery store, look for organic or fresh produce sold by local farmers within grocery stores or farmer's markets.
Due to the increasing demand for organic produce, the legislation governing organic food production is undergoing changes that will allow organic farmers more flexibility in organic production. Some believe that these changes may compromise the integrity of organic foods in the future.
Common Pitfalls
Price-conscious consumers are often turned off by the higher costs of organic foods. However, cheap foods are expensive in the long run. Ingestion of pesticides and chemical contaminants, poor nutrition, obesity and refined sugar are linked with health problems and diseases that are more expensive in terms of medical costs and lost work time. The increased cost of buying organic produce may be worth the cost offset for future health care.
Buyers may also notice that nonorganic fruits look more appealing, but this is often due to genetic engineering that can make fruits appear artificially large and colorful. While nonorganic fruits may look more aesthetically pleasing, the organic fruit is likely the healthier and tastier choice.
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