Organic foods costs more to produce and those costs are passed on to the consumer. Whether you should be spending the extra money depends on what you're looking for in the food you consume. One argument to keep in mind is that "organic" doesn't mean the same in the United States as it does in Canada or in Europe. Each country has its own measure of what "organic" means, so it's important that you read labels and understand what you're getting for your money.
Definition of Organic
Organic means grown and produced without the use of pesticides, chemicals or food additives. Organic foods are also non-genetically modified. Organic meats comes from cattle that do not receive growth hormones or antibiotics as part of their routine care. The same is true of milk.
Expert Insight
A 2009 study by the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine showed that there's little difference between organic and non-organic food when it comes to nutritional benefits. This means that both organic and non-organic foods tested contained the same amount of iron, vitamin C and other nutrients. The differences are in the long-term effects that these chemicals might have in your body. For example, certain chemicals present in non-organic milk might affect your estrogen level and increase your chances of developing cancer.
Understanding Labels
Whether organic is worth spending money on depends on what you're buying. The word "organic" alone is not enough to explain the contents of the product. Read the label or seal carefully. If it says "100 percent organic," then all ingredients used in the production are organic. The word "organic" alone means the food is anywhere between 95 and 100 percent organic, so one or more of the ingredients might not be organic. "Made with organic ingredients" means 70 percent or more of the ingredients are organic. If the percentage is less than 70 percent, you'll find different wording on the package, such as "contains organic ingredients." While the wording is not mean to scam you, it is confusing enough that you might not be buying what you think you are.
When to Buy Organic
Because organic prices are much higher, it might be impossible for many people to switch over completely. In those cases, it pays to at least buy some products organic. These foods, known as "the dirty dozen" contain the most pesticides and chemicals of all crops. The list includes celery, peaches, strawberries, apples, blueberries, nectarines, bell peppers, spinach, kale, cherries, potatoes and grapes. The list changes slightly from year to year and sometimes includes broccoli. Another food that it pays to buy organic is meat, since non-organic meat has added antibiotics and up to 10 different pesticides, according to the USDA Pesticide Data Program.
References
- Healthy Living Plus: Is Organic Food a Scam?
- "Daily Mail"; The Real Health Benefits of Eating Organic
- North Carolina Cooperative Extension: What Does the "Organic" Label Really Mean?
- The Daily Green: The Dirty Dozen: 12 Foods to Eat Organic
- USDA Pesticide Data Program: 10 Pesticide Residues Found in Beef
- EcoMall: Why Does Organic Food Cost More Than Conventional?
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