Myths and Misinformation

Should I buy organic?

I firmly believe that as a consumer it is your choice how you spend your money.  It is also your choice to be a little more informed about the food that you are buying.

It is not always clear what is accurate information when it comes to nutrition and what is simply misinformation.  Consumers often hear a great deal about scientific studies, but sometimes these reports are too short to deliver enough information or skewed toward the reporter’s, company’s or organization’s agenda.  In the ever-growing information source that is the internet, I am trying to clear up some of the misinformation.  With that in mind, I wanted to tackle the subject of nutrition myths.  Many people don’t understand basics of how our food is grown, processed and sold to the public.  Sometimes we fall under the influence of clever marketers, celebrity endorsements or peer pressure to decide what we place in our grocery carts.

Many people are reporting that organically grown food is more nutritious than conveniently grown food.  So, let’s get right to it…is it a myth?

Today’s organic food labels were developed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and put into use in 2002.  Organic fruits and vegetables must be grown and processed using organic farming methods that recycle resources and promote biodiversity. Crops must be grown without using man-made pesticides, bio-engineered genes, petroleum-based fertilizers and sewage sludge-based fertilizers.  Farmers can use natural pesticides, such as sulfur, nicotine and copper during organic production.  They can also use natural fertilizers like compost and manure.

There is no scientific evidence that says organically grown food is more nutritious that conveniently grown food.  A 2009 systematic review examined studies from the last 50 years about the nutrient content of organic and conventional foods. The researchers concluded that organically and conventionally produced foods were comparable in their nutrient content.  A 2012 systematic review confirmed their findings concluding that organic foods were not healthier or safer than conventional foods. 

When buying organic or not, food safety is key.  Organic food may have higher bacterial counts than their pesticide-grown counterparts.  Man-made pesticides are very effective at killing bacteria. The best way to keep food safe is to thoroughly rinse all fruits and vegetables under running water before eating.  Keep in mind that you need to wash the rind.  Even through you are not eating the rind, if it’s not washed, you run the risk of food-borne illness.  A knife can bring bacteria from the surface to the inside.
For a little more information about this topic, visit Organic Foods.