Tag Archives: E.coli

Unfortunately there is no simple answer. Many consumers believe that if something is more expensive, the better it must be for you. This may not necessarily be the case when it comes to organic produce.

BC has emerged as a leader in organic farming in Canada. Over half of BC consumers are buying organic. A 2003 opinion survey showed that 53% of BC consumers purchase organic food at least occasionally. Consumers are willing to pay double for food with an organic label.

Canadian Organic Seal via Wikimedia Commons, author Canadian Food Inspection Agency.

In organic farming, farmers often use the phrase “Feed the soil, not the plant”. Produce by organic farming is grown without synthetic pesticides, herbicides, and fertilizers.  Farmers create healthy soils by promoting biodiversity, growing a variety of crops instead of just one single crop. Biodiversity allows the soil time to rest and replenish nutrients. These methods allow for the reduction of greenhouse gases that contribute to global warming, prevention of soil erosion, improvement of soil fertility, protection of groundwater, and conserves energy.

One of the main differences between conventional farming and organic farming is the use of pesticides. Many people don’t realize that organic farmers spray their produce with non-synthetic chemical pest-killers. Many of these “natural” chemical killers can be toxic. Natural pesticides can be just as harmful as synthetic pesticides.

Organic products are not necessary better and more nutritional than products made by conventional farming. Both are actually equally likely to be contaminated by bacteria. A study done at the University of Minnesota looked at the presence of E.coli in organic and conventional farming produce. E.coli is a large group of bacteria that can cause stomach cramps, diarrhea, and vomiting. Deadly strains of E.coli can actually lead to kidney failure. Results of the study found that organic produce contained approximately six-fold greater concentrations of E.coli than conventional produce.

E. coli bacteria via Flickr, author NIAID_Flickr

Health Canada, United Kingdom’s Food Standards Agency and France have stated that there is no evidence to support that there is greater safety or nutrients in organic produce.

Maybe you aren’t buying organic food for the “nutritional” value but for taste. Time.com food writer Josh Ozersky along with New York city chefs went out to see if there was a taste difference between organic and non-organic foods.

http://healthland.time.com/2012/09/04/is-organic-food-more-nutritious-and-healthier-than-conventional-varieties/

Josh Ozersky and New York chefs for Time.com went out to test conventional and organic eggs, carrots, and cheese.

Although buying organic may not be worth it, there may be some foods where it might be beneficial to buy organic. Apples and leafy greens such as lettuce are foods that contain one of the highest levels of pesticides. Eating berries in the winter means that these berries are shipped from warmer climates that may not have strict regulation of pesticide use. Meat and dairy is also recommended to buy organic. In conventional farming, more animals are concentrated meaning that there is a higher risk of disease and more antibiotics which eventually ends up in the food we eat.

Apples via Wikimedia Commons, author Scott Bauer.

Buying organic is a personal choice. It is all up to consumer’s preference.

Christine Wong