What is organic produce?

Certified organic products are grown and processed without the use of synthetic chemicals, fertilisers, genetically modified organisms (GMOs), or irradiation.

The produce that is produced through organic farming is thus at its most natural form.

Organic meat, poultry, eggs, and dairy products come from animals that are given no antibiotics (unless they are ill) or growth hormones.

Unfortunately at present Australia does not have nationwide standards which state the requirements for products claiming to be organic.

Instead there are seven groups authorised by the government to certify foods as organic.

Standards Australia is currently developing a new Australian Standard for Organic and Biodynamic Products which is likely to be released within the next few months.

Are organic foods more nutritious?

“The evidence shows that organic foods have the edge in some nutrients of around 15-30% higher levels of vitamin C, iron, magnesium and phosphorus,” says Deakin University nutrition expert Dr Tim Crowe.

One of the most important studies to date is the four year study by the European Union (2007), which found that organic fruit and vegetables contained up to 40 per cent more antioxidants than conventional equivalents.

The same study found the antioxidant levels in organic milk were 60% higher.

The pesticide debate.

Are the pesticide sprayed apples you eat damaging your health? Although some research has found that those with high exposure to pesticides have higher incidences of cancer, there is unfortunately no long term research to establish the long term negative effects of consuming pesticides, according to Dr. Crowe.

Certified organic produce is grown without the use of pesticides and fertilisers unlike conventional produce.

While research indicates that organic produce has lower levels of pesticide residues than conventional produce, this does not mean they are pesticide free.

“Organic foods contain some level of pesticides produced naturally by the plant,” says Dr. Crowe.

Even these natural plants pesticides if extracted in high enough doses and given to rats can cause cancer.”

On the other hand he says that the levels of pesticides found in foods, both organic and conventional is considered well below the level of harm.

Pesticide residual levels are tested approximately every five years by the Australian Total Diet Survey, according to a spokesperson for Australia’s national regulator, Food Standards Australia New Zealand.

She says that year after year, the tests show that pesticide levels are either well below the recommended maximum dose or negligible (which is why they do not test as regularly anymore).

Andre Leu, Chair of Organic Federation of Australia believes that there should be more regular systematic testing and says that he disputes the tests that show ‘no concern’.
He points to a recent Environmental Health Perspectives study which studied the mechanisms of how a common herbicide, atrazine causes ovarian cancer (he says atrazine was not tested specifically by the Total Diet Survey).

Yet without conclusive evidence, Dr. Crowe says that people should not avoid fruits and vegetables for fear of pesticides as, “the health benefits of these foods overwhelm any possible risk.”

Hormones and steroids
Hormones have not been used since the 1960s in Australian chicken.

While farmers in some sectors of the Australian beef cattle industry use hormonal growth promotants (HPGs) to promote weight gain in cows, Meat & Livestock Australia claim that HGPs carry no risk to human health or safety when used by beef producers according to directions.

Does organic taste better?

The jury is out on whether organic food tastes better. Leu points to studies which show that on average, organic food contains 30% more flavonoids (antioxidants that contribute to flavour of food).

I don’t know about you but I would rather my yiayia’s (grandmother’s) fresh garden tomatoes over the plastic tasting tomatoes from the supermarket any day!

Final words

Whether or not organic food is safer than conventional food is still up for debate. But for many, the ethical and environmental arguments are enough.

Organic farming  is based upon the principal of land and soil regeneration. It uses renewable resources, with the aim of conserving energy and water.

Organic farming ensures the humane treatment of animals and increasing biodiversity to help save disappearing native animal habitats.