Not sure whether to fork over the extra money for that organic
cantaloupe or bunch of asparagus? Bet you're not alone.
This shopping choice got even more confusing after the recent and highly publicized findings from Stanford University's Center for Public Health Policy which concluded that when it came to certain nutrients there wasn't much difference between organics and conventionally grown produce.
But that's not why I am putting more organic foods into my shopping basket. It's not about the nutrients, it's about the pesticides! The study also found that organic foods have lower levels of pesticides, fewer food-borne pathogens, and cancer-fighting phenol than the conventionally grown counterparts.
So when it comes down to a choice, I'm going for the organic version most of the time. My colleague at Consumer Reports, Jamie Hirsh, interviewed some of our own health and food safety experts and wrote an excellent overview of this issue which put the study findings in better context (http://news.consumerreports.org/health/2012/09/dont-give-up-on-organic-food-our-experts-urge.html).
And please write and let me know your views; are you buying more or fewer organic foods and why?
Mary Somers
10:24:20 AM on Thu Sep 13 2012
I buy organic when I can afford it. I'd like to buy more organic then I do right now because I'd like to avoid the pesticides and I think it's healthier for our earth.
The price difference can be significant. This week I was purchaseing cucumbers. One organic cucumber was priced at $3.99. I ended up purchasing a package of five non organic cucumbers for $1.99 total.
Anne
01:00:50 PM on Thu Sep 13 2012
I'm less worried about pesticides in the food I eat than in the environment where the food is grown - I think too much emphasis is put on the consumer's health and not enough on the earth's.
Skeptical
09:27:23 PM on Sun Sep 16 2012
I totally agree about buying organic if it means less chemicals and topsoil washing into waterways and groundwater, and less dust-borne chemicals, too. Also lower impacts on songbirds and beneficial insects (think dragonflies and honeybees) when toxic chemicals aren't used. Pay a little more for this wholesome food now, or pay for it less directly in lost ecosystem functions.