Posted by Janet Harriett on Feb.06, 2010

ⓒ iStockPhoto - JLGutierrez

I hear conflicting information about whether organic foods are healthier or not. Now, there’s organic clothes, organic cosmetics and even organic toilet paper, and the organic stuff is more expensive than the non organic. Why should I buy organic, and do I need to buy everything organic?

There are two reasons to buy organic: for your health and for the health of the planet. In general, the more you can buy that is organic, the better off both you and the planet are, but you don’t need to go neurotic ensuring that your TP and socks are organic. Green Diva Mom recommends prioritizing high-risk organic produce, then all produce, animal products if you consume them, followed by processed foods, with non-food products being the lowest priority for organic purchase, though still worthwhile if they are certified organic, not just making unsubstantiated organic claims.

Choosing Organic Produce

Research on the effects of organic products on human health are mixed. One particularly high-profile study showed that organic produce didn’t have any higher vitamin content than conventionally-raised produce. However, even with personal health, nutrient content is only half the equation. Certified organic produce is grown without synthetic pesticides and fertilizers (though it is important to note that organic pesticides and fertilizers  can be used on certified organic crops, and some organic pesticides are more neurotoxic than conventional ones). In general, certified organic foods don’t have residues of synthetic crop additives, so you’re not ingesting petrochemical residue when eating certified organic foods. Simply adding more organics in your family’s diet and home environment will reduce your family’s body burden of synthetic chemicals, artificial growth hormones and antibiotics. Genetically modified foods (GMO) are not certified organic, so sticking with organic soy and corn products should keep you free of the most common GMO crops, which haven’t been fully tested for long-term effects on humans. This is especially important for young children who are the most vulnerable. The digestive system has to work hard to rid the body of pesticides, man-made chemicals, artificial growth hormones and antibiotics.

If your budget doesn’t allow for 100% organic, the Environmental Working Group has a list (and helpful iPhone app) of the Dirty Dozen fruits and veggies that have the highest pesticide residue. Start with those and work your way up from there.

Choosing Organic Meat and Dairy

Organic dairy, eggs, poultry and meat products come from farm animals that were never treated with artificial hormones and antibiotics, and whose feed conformed to organic standards. Organic certification of animal products does not speak to their growing conditions, though, and only minimally to the processing. If your beef with conventional beef is the feedlots, you may want to look at sustainably-grown meats from local ranchers rather than relying on the organic label at the supermarket. With freezer beef, you can buy a whole, half or quarter animal, butchered and wrapped for freezer storage, often at lower prices per pound than conventional supermarket beef, and you support small-scale agriculture.

Choosing Organic Non-Food Items

The term “organic” on products is only regulated with regard to foods. Things that aren’t edible have no set, enforceable definition of what it means to be organic. Organic certification agencies may also certify non-food products, but the standards on non-food products aren’t uniform from one agency to another. Organic claims on a non-food item that doesn’t bear the seal of an organic certification agency could mean anything, or nothing. Take those claims with a grain of salt, since they may well be using the chemistry definition of “organic,” which simply means it’s made from a carbon-based atom.

Ecological Reasons to Choose Organics

Of course, buying organic is about more than just your own health. Though there are large-scale ag operations that have organic certification while still using less sustainable practices, in general, organic crops are grown using farming practices such as integrated pest management, green manure and crop rotation. These sustainable practices reduce the use of toxic pesticides and herbicides. This means less toxic chemicals to contaminate our soil, water supplies and bodies.

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Posted under Ask Green Diva Mom, Information & Resources.