The Numbers Don’t Lie
The following piece was written by myself the Blog Exchange Debate wherein participants take opposing views on controversial parenting topics and debate them. We decided to swap our posts back to our own blogs after one day. Our topic is organic food.
The Numbers Don’t Lie: The Case for Organic Foods by Izzy
I am a huge proponent of organic foods and farming. If I could, I would buy organic food exclusively. There are dozens of reasons why, however, to delve into each of them would render this little blog exchange post as lengthy as a term paper. Thus, I am only going to focus on the primary reasons that I prefer to buy and consume organic foods — which would be my children.
When you stop to consider that asthma, autism, attention deficit and hyperactivity disorders (ADD and ADHD), childhood brain cancer and acute lymphocytic leukemia have all increased over the past 30 years and babies are born with industrial chemicals, pollutants and pesticides in their cord blood, it’s not a stretch to wonder if the pesticides, herbicides and other chemicals used in all aspects of food production are at least partially to blame.
Regarding the health risks of pesticides residues in food, remember that the EPA approved many pesticides and fertilizers long before research linked these chemicals to cancer and other diseases. Today, however, the EPA considers 90% of all fungicides, 60% of all herbicides, and 30% of all insecticides as potentially cancer- causing.
Furthermore, determining the safety of a common pesticide used in conventional farming may take thirty years or more. For example, we now know that some of the early pesticides, such as DDT, caused serious health problems in children that didn’t become evident until thirty years after the substance was banned for environmental reasons. We may not see the full effects of the newer pesticides we’re putting on crops for a long, long time and I’m not willing to let my kids be guinea pigs for Monsanto, Dow, Ortho and DuPont.
And in case you were wondering how organic and conventional produce stack up against each other, the Organic Center reports that conventional produce is eight times more likely to contain pesticide residues than organic.
I find the aforementioned statistics to be chilling and of course, I would never spoon feed these chemicals to my children so why would I feed them food that is loaded with them when safer organic options exist?Some people that are not convinced of the benefits of organics but the numbers don’t lie…
A 2003 study conducted by the University of Washington tracked a group of preschool children to determine if their diets affected their pesticide exposure. The study was based on18 children with organic diets and 21 with conventional diets. Researchers analyzed their urine for evidence of exposure to five different kinds of toxic pesticides.
They found that the average total was six to almost nine times higher for children with conventional diets than for children with organic diets. The researchers concluded that consuming organic fruits and vegetables is a relatively simple way for parents to reduce their children’s pesticide exposure.
Young children are developing brain function and internal organs intended to last a lifetime and they are more vulnerable to developmental damage from pesticide residues on foods. This is partly because of their fast growth and speedy metabolisms and partly because of their smaller size, which means they eat more fruits and vegetables in relation to their body weight than adults do.
In 1993, a congressionally-mandated study by the National Academy of Sciences expressed concern that existing methods of risk evaluation for pesticide exposure were not suited to children. More recently, the Consumers Union and the Environmental Working Group released studies confirming that children are over-exposed even if their exposure is within legal limits.
Bearing all those facts in mind, I firmly believe that re-assessing our priorities and making room in our tight budget for organic foods is one of the most important things I can do for my children’s long-term health and I strongly urge others to do the same.
Babies consume about 60 times more fruits and vegetables than adults. This fact combined with undeveloped digestive and immune systems, put young children at the greatest health risk for pesticide residues. To minimize the effects, you might buy organic for those foods that your children eat regularly.
If you have to limit what organic foods you buy because of the cost, it is recommended that you buy organic animal products first, like milk, eggs and meat.
In produce, pesticides levels vary. Here are some common fruits and vegetables that are high in pesticide residues. Because of the high levels, you might consider buying organic for these foods:
Apples
Bell peppers
Celery
Cherries
Grapes (imported)
Nectarines
Peaches
Pears
Potatoes
Red Raspberries
Spinach
Strawberries
Conversely, these fruits and vegetables are commonly found to have the lowest levels of pesticide residues so it’s not critical to choose organics when buying the following:
Asparagus
Avocados
Bananas
Broccoli
Cauliflower
Corn (sweet)
Kiwi
Mangos
Onions
Papayas
Pineapples
Peas (sweet)
(Source - The Environmental Workers Union)
You don’t have to dive in and go organic all at once but every little bit helps, especially when it comes to your children.
You can read my exchange partner Emma’s piece arguing against organics here.
You bring up some excellent points. We are not totally organic, just milk and some of the produce that has been proven to be safer organically grown, like bell peppers and blueberries.
And I’ll be honest, the main reason I don’t buy all organic has nothing to do with safety, it’s more about cost.
I’m lucky though. I live in Florida where I am able to get a LOT of locally grown produce including fruit from my own backyard.
I suppose if I really wanted to I would grow my own.
You’ve got some great points here, the same reasons why we’re not 100% organic at home — but we try. And we’re very picky about which organic items to get. And yes, locally grown is so much better, specifically because you can talk to your farmer and ask questions and present opinions, etc. I wouldn’t throw the baby out with the bath water, though. Just because something’s labelled organic doesn’t mean it’s all big-business or “not really organic”. It just means the people who grew/manufactured the item could AFFORD to pay the tremendous fees associated with labelling. A lot of our local, small farmers would get organic labelling if they could afford it — because their practices certainly would qualify them for it, but they either choose not to or can’t. My recommendation is to keep track of manufacturers and find out what their current practices are. For instance, 5 years ago I was comfortable buying Horizon Valley milk, but things have changed. It’s usually when big business steps in that things get messed up. But I still would buy Muir Glen organic tomatoes or Nature’s Gate shampoos (though not all their products) because I know enough about them to be comfortable, even though they’re more mainstream now.
Extremely well-researched and comprehensive post. I’m in complete agreement with the encouragement to buy locally grown produce, and it can be easier than you think. Many cities and towns have farmer’s markets, and even back east, the grocery chains would feature locally grown produce.
I understand from the reading I’ve done over the years that organic makes the greatest difference in terms of meat and dairy.
I like getting different perspectives on this issue since I’m a total blank canvas when it comes to organic food. Thanks for the food for thought (hee hee).
I’m not totally organic either, however, my reasons for doing it are fairly selfish, particularly when it comes to pesticides and hormones in the meat (EW). I don’t want them in my system or my kid’s system for that matter.
You do bring up some interesting points that I’ll need to research further. It is certainly the “hip” thing right now - and if I had the option (which I do now since I moved) I’d totally buy from local farmers. I think that’s the best way to go.
But I wonder what our options are. Is organic really as subpar as some of the mainstream stuff we’re eating? Even if it’s a little better is it worth the price?
I am a total believer in shopping locally in you can rather than organic per say! Cool look at it all!
you make excellent points. i am a sucker for all things organic, and have been thinking long and hard about these issues you raise. It just may not be worth it. Or better to buy from that small farmer’s market that sells organic instead of say, Whole Foods or something.
Lisa
I think it is a good thing that you’ve brought up the organic debate, but I think you are missing the main point about eating and supporting organic food. This is obvious in your statement: “Organic products are almost as chemically ridden as their conventional counterparts”
This couldn’t be further from the truth, so I’ll offer a few lines from a great resource (along with the source link) to help focus on the benefits of organic food.
“The Organic Premise:
Many people are aware that food grown according to organic principles is free from exposure to harmful herbicides and pesticides, but that is only one small aspect of organic agriculture. A larger part of organic agriculture involves the health of the soil and the ecosystem in which crops and livestock are raised. Organic farmers recognize that healthy, vibrant, and live soils and ecosystems significantly benefit crops. Natural, undisturbed soil is alive with microbiotic organisms that exist in harmony with the native plant life and the inorganic minerals that provide the soil’s substrate.
Synthetic chemicals (such as herbicides, pesticides, and/or fast acting inorganic fertilizers) applied in or around crops interrupt or destroy the microbiotic activity in the soil. Once the microbiotic activity in the soil has stopped, the soil becomes merely an anchor for plant material. In this conventional method of agriculture (in use for only the past 75 of 10,000 years of recorded agriculture) plants can receive only air, water, and sunlight from their environment — everything else must be distributed to plants by farmers, often from inputs transported thousands of miles to reach the farm. Plants are commonly fed only the most basic elements of plant life and so are dependent on the farmer to fight nature’s challenges, e.g. pests, disease, and drought.”
(via: http://www.mofga.org/tabid/166/Default.aspx)
While I’m the first to support buying locally (and I do buy local organic when possible), I’d hate to think that people are choosing to consume pesticides because organic farm workers are often paid the same as traditional farm workers.
Labeling obviously needs to improve and prices can and will be lower, but let’s establish a few priorities and use that as a foundation. If you care about farm workers, don’t support the farms that require their workers to absorb synthetic chemicals to earn a living. Eat them if you like, but I’ll pay the extra 25 cents to support a sustainable system until organic growing becomes the norm and the prices become more competitive.
Thanks for the topic,
Jason
one think I read in the book “Omnivore’s Dilemma” is about the environmental cost ( per ounce!) to fly the organic greens from where they are grown on the west coast, to the east coast. That’s not petrol on your food, but the cost is still there environmentally to fly all that food across the country. I liked that book very much, it explained that industrial organic really isn’t what you think it is.
My milk choice of organic vs. nonorganic really depends where I’m at with money and preparedness every week. If I’m having a rough week trying to get my life with my 5-year-old, 3-year-old and 2-year-old in order and if my wallet is weak on funds, I opt for a quick pick up of 7-eleven milk. I buy Alta Dena in that case, which is hormone free but not organic. Otherwise, I get my usual organic milk from Trader Joe’s here in SoCal. Have any of you read the China Study. Amazing.
Would you be able to comment on some of the top items that you should try to buy organic? some people say strawberries, grapes and those items that don’t have skins. Apples? In the mean time - I have been going to the farmers market and buying local. Ever heard of the 100 mile “diet”? thank you for your post.
I hardly ever go organic so it’s good to hear I’m not alone.
I too am not exclusivly organic but am leaning more that way all the time. When I read articles like this it scares me so badly. You just don’t know what’s in the food you are eating. It feels like such a gamble.
I totally agree - even if it only made a smidgen of difference to our childrens’ health, isn’t that enough of a reason?
Yep. We buy from local farmers markets as well as the organic section - but can’t always find what we need all year round so it was nice to get a free pass of sorts from the “not necessarily needing to be organic” list. thanks
I read the con argument and it didn\’t touch on the same things your post did, which is lab and test results showing the differences in chldren\’s bodies eating organic and non-organic diets. As you said, the numbers don\’t lie.
All the other reasons may be negotiable but when you can see test results showing up to 9 times higher pesticide residues in the bodies of kids who don\’t eat organic, there\’s not much room for debate.
The facts speak for themselves and anyone who willfully ignores those facts is not doing the best they can for their kids. In my humble opinion, of course.
I would love to be able to buy all organic, but I think our bills for food would quadruple! I end up buying organic for the things the kids eat alought of…
Good info filled post. Thanks
Rock on! I am all in favor of ‘free-range’ fruits!
Great post, Izz! I have the list of the “most contaminated” produce on my fridge. I also try to buy locally grown fruits & veggies whenever possible.
Good post Izzy…
I don’t get how buying local is counter to buying organic. Seems like a false dichotomy. Why don’t you buy local organic? Or buy local then organic & then vice versa? We’re lucky and easily buy local organic, here. Seems to me the local and organic movements are rooted in the same place, in the desire to protect the environment, to offer healthy foods, to sustain farmers making choices, to put one in touch with the concept of food coming from the land again.
This is really good stuff you’re giving us. LOVE the new banner and look, by the way. I’m all ready for Halloween myself.
Very interesting!! Thank you so much for this information. I’ll go check out the other viewpoint as well.
P.S. - love the new banner!
I’ve had this argument with my husband many times. I want to be more organic and he wants to save money. I can’t blame him, given I don’t really bring in that much money, but we’re coming to an agreement about what should be scrimped on and what shouldn’t. Organic foods is being added to our list of unscrimpables!
Another factor to consider is seasonality when making food decisions. For thousands of years, people ate food that was fresh, preserved at home, or waited until it was in season again. There is no reason to eat peaches from Chile in December. It is a major waste of natural resources to fly food all over the world, and it is expensive, too.
I wanted to make the point that while buying local is fantastic and desirable, it’s important to choose wisely. Kiosks and stands don’t always adhere to the same standards as farmer’s markets and organic produce stores. There was a case here recently where a man selling “organic eggs and milk” was actually selling items from a filthy, below code farm. At that point we became familiar with certificates and recognizing legal sellers.
Ok. So I want to eat healthy. And support the local farmer. And not have pesticides. I’m with you, but I’m not lucid enough to make a decent comment so I’m blaming the Sudafed and my lack of sleep.
Coming up: the only lucid thing I can say right now is…. I miss you. I hope you are well! Kissess (but virtual ones only since I don’t want you to get sick) and licks (for next time we see each other).
Also? You. Are. Awesome.
“I’m not willing to let my kids be guinea pigs for Monsanto, Dow, Ortho and DuPont.”
Well said. I’m with you on that one.
Now, how can we ensure that ) the USDA follows through on checking producers of organic products to ensure they are following the standards and b) Monsanto doesn’t contaminate organic farmland with their genetically modified seeds?
I am hopeful that true organic food will continue to be available to us and will become more accessible and affordable someday. However, I am fearful of large corporations (Wal-Mart) getting in on the act and ruining it for good.
You’ve got great points and information here, IzzyMom. I hardly go organic because it’s expensive, but I think I should do it better in the near future. However, thank God my little guy prefers the lower group of fruits and vegetables you mentioned.
Thanks so much!
Adwina
Hi Izzy. Please excuse my chemical glow (though it’s a lovely shade of green, wouldn’t you agree?)
I need to buy more organic. For all the reasons you mentioned. Excellent post!
If anyone is not convinced, just read The Food Revolution by John Robbins.
Being macrobiotic is a good option too, but kind of hard when you live in the great white north. scurvy, anyone?