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Organic food no better for you

By Carla Bevan on Friday 8 August 2008

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Organic food has no more vitamins than regular produce, according to the latest study.

In yet another blow for the organic food movement, a team at the University of Copenhagen say they've proven fruit and vegetables grown with pesticides have just as many vitamins and minerals as those grown without.

'Modern crop protection chemicals to control weeds, pests and diseases are extensively tested and stringently regulated, and once in the soil, mineral nutrients from natural or artificial fertilisers are chemically identical,' says Dr Alan Baylis, from the Society of Chemical Industry, which published the new study in its Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture.

'Organic crops are often lower yielding and eating them is a lifestyle choice for those who can afford it.'

The study couldn't have come at a worse time for organic farmers who are already suffering as credit-crunch families swap their organic buys for cheaper, own-brand groceries.

Will you still buy organic? Leave your comments on the form below…

Friday 8 August 2008

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Most people buy organic food simply because it doesn't have chemicals, and for that reason alone, they prefer it for themselves and their children. I doubt if many actually think organic food has more vitamins than non-organic. The writer of this article doesn't seem to get that.
Comment by Lisa on August 08 16:18

I'll only buy "organic" when the regular produce is unavailable...or if the apprearance is better, but not for the so-called benefit. This study confirms what previous studies in America have also shown. Organic-certified food is over-priced, often funnier-looking, more often bruised and not nutritionally more beneficial than regularly grown food. Period.

Signed,

a chemist from California.
Comment by Ken Forbes on August 08 21:31

This is clearly misinformation put out by Big Chemical. Note that no actual data is presented in this article, as opposed to this one: http://green.msn.com/articles/article.aspx?aid=295&GT1=10725 which states exactly the opposite--that organic food has up to 60% more nutrients than non-organic food.
Comment by Theresa on August 11 03:20

The point at which non-organic loses is when it is GMO. This splits the nutrients, even by 8 times, i.e. a GMO tomato is split into 8 tomatoes. Organic protocol prohibits GMO practices.
Of course if you take two seeds (GMO or not), let them grow, spray pesticieds on one plant and not on the other, they are likely to have the same level of nutrients. However, your body will need a lot more nutrients to detox the pesticieds out of the body so better add an organic veg to the pesticide covered one!
Comment by Alex on August 11 21:30

The reason today's produce has lower vitamin and mineral content is because big agriculture does not practice crop rotation. Crop rotation is vital to the health of produce. Now that large scale agriculture is selling organic foods, the foods are typically no more nutritious than its conventional counterparts. But it is a lot less toxic! Though big agriculture leaves a lot to be desired here too. There are a lot of toxic chemicals and practices that are allowed or being petitioned to be allowed with USDA certified organic produce.
Another reason to buy organic is to avoid GMO's which is another topic altogether.
Organic produce farmed by large scale farmers may not have more vitamins and minerals, but the nutrition is more easily assimilated, and the food is safer.
Comment by Organic Lifestyle on August 12 04:42