The higher price charged for organic foods verses conventionally grown foods prevents some people from purchasing only organic items. The benefit of consuming certain organic items significantly reduces exposure to pesticides, fungicides, and hormones.
Meat
Conventionally raised livestock is given hormones to speed up growth, antibiotics to resist disease, and feed that is grown with chemical fertilizers and pesticides. To be FDA certified organic, meat must come from livestock fed organic feed and not given hormones or antibiotics. In the article, “Nutritional Quality and Safety of Organic Food,” Denis Lairon reported that organic beef has more polyunsaturated fats than conventionally raised livestock. Consumed in moderation, polyunsaturated fats help reduce levels of blood cholesterol.
Dairy
Certified organic dairy products must come from cows that meet the standards set by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. In October 2008, the department specified that organic livestock must be raised without hormones, antibiotics, and fed with pesticide-free grain. Livestock must be allowed to graze in a pasture for a minimum of 120 days. In 2007, researcher involved in a four year European-funded project found that organic milk had higher levels of vitamin E and more nutrients than milk from conventionally raised cows.
Eggs
Organic eggs come from chickens raised on organic feed and have not been given hormones or antibiotics. Free-range chickens have access to yards not treated with chemicals. The color of the egg is insignificant to nutritional value. The color of an egg depends on the breed of the chicken.
Coffee
Organic coffee beans are grown without chemical fertilizers and toxic pesticides. During processing, no harsh chemicals are used. The growing approach to organic coffee is more environmentally friendly. Shade grown coffee respects the plant’s natural preference to shade. Coffee plants allowed to grow slowly under the shade of the rain forest canopy produce a better quality bean and save the rain forest.
Peaches
The Environmental Working Group (EWG) ranks peaches as second on its “Dirty Dozen” list of food that should be purchased as organic. Other fruits that rank after peaches are strawberries, apples, blueberries, and nectarines. Peaches, apples, and nectarines have the highest concentration of pesticides if conventionally grown. Strawberries and blueberries absorb high amounts of toxic pesticides through their thin skins which cannot be peeled.
Celery
The EWG ranks celery as the top food on the “Dirty Dozen” list. Celery, which has no protective outer skin, green beans and tomatoes show high levels of pesticide residue. It is better to buy these foods as organic.
Peppers
All varieties of peppers absorb toxic pesticides through their skins. Pepper crops are prone to insect infestations. Commercial conventional farmers spray heavily with insecticides .Imported produce comes from countries where standards are not as restrictive as standards in the United States. If exposure to pesticides on your food is a strong concern, consider buying certified organic peppers grown in the U.S.
Spinach
Spinach ranks as the highest vegetable, after celery and bell peppers, on the EWA “Dirty Dozen” list. Leafy greens, such as lettuce, collard greens, and kale are favorites of insects, worms, and slugs. Commercial growers heavily spray the leaves of these crops with toxic insecticides. When possible, purchase organic spinach and other leafy greens.
Potatoes
Conventionally grown potatoes are treated with pesticides and fungicides. Pesticides are sprayed on the vines. The soil is treated with fungicides to prevent potato blight. There is no organic solution to combat potato blight . Consequently the cost of organic potatoes is much higher than conventionally grown ones.
Baby Food
Whether you make your own baby food or purchase commercially prepared products organic is a better choice. Infants and young children are more susceptible to the hormone, antibiotics, and pesticide residue found in conventionally grown food.