Bad Argument Against Organic Produce Is Taking Shape In The UK

After a recent bout of anti-organic propaganda in the UK's mainstream media - which was led by elements from within the UK's government and associated agencies - a picture is emerging of the exact nature of this particular beast. What seems to be going on here is an attempt by multi-national chemical companies to get looser laws governing the use of their pesticides within the UK, and when considering who is saying what, this is more than likely supported by the big food industry giants too. A worrying sign is the lack of government or opposition support for the organic/anti-pesticide side, from whom we only hear the usual voices, and their opinions are not being published quite as often as those who would prefer us to totally forget about organic produce.

10 Ways Growing an Organic Garden Can Help Your Health and Budget

Get the nutrition you need & enjoy tastier food

Many studies have shown that organically grown food has more minerals and nutrients than food grown with synthetic pesticides. And there’s a good reason why many chefs use organic foods in their recipes -- they taste better.

Save money

Growing your own food can help cut the cost of your grocery bill.

Are Organic Foods Healthier?

In the ongoing debate about the health value of organic food, the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine has submitted the most recent rebuttal – organic food has no nutritional benefits over ordinary food. However, the manner in which the study was performed raises questions and the manner in which the report is being relayed in the media has been highly inaccurate.

60 percent of 'organic' food in stores not genuine: foundation

Some 60 percent of the food sold in Taiwan's retail shops or supermarkets as organic is not genuine, the non-profit Consumers' Foundation reported Tuesday.

Speaking at a news conference, Consumers' Foundation Chairman Hsieh Tian-jen said although regulations were introduced Aug. 1 to fine suppliers of organic farm produce NT$60,000 (US$1,829) to NT$300,000 for inadequate labeling, a random investigation by the foundation found the problem still exists.

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Pesticides in your peaches: Tribune and USDA studies find pesticides, some in excess of EPA rules, in the fragrant fruit

As we munch into the fragrant core of peach season, shoppers face an array of choices for the same fuzzy fruit but little guidance on which type to pick. Expensive organic? Pricey farmers market? Cheap peaches from the grocery store?

Cost is certainly important. But there are essential numbers that go beyond the price tag of a peach, or any other item from the produce aisle.

Which contain the highest levels of pesticides?

Challenges to study finding organics no better than conventional produce

The recent British study published in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, concluding that organic produce has no nutritional benefits over conventional, misses the main point that organic fruits and vegetables are free of herbicides, pesticides and fungicides. But the study has many other limitations.

The Organic Center, whose mission is to generate peer reviewed scientific research on the benefits of organic farming, has challenged the findings of the British study on several points

Organics industry hits back at dietary findings

The organics industry is hitting back and rejecting claims made in a report by Britain’s Food Standard Agency (FSA) that found organic produce has no health or nutritional benefit over conventionally produced food. The groups are labeling the report's results incomplete.

With regard to the findings of the FSA report, the International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements (IFOAM) said the study totally avoided the issue of pesticides and took a very narrow view of 'health'.

Organic debate gets dirty

A BRITISH agency which produced a report claiming there was no real health benefit to eating organic food has been accused of being biased against the organic sector.

The organic movement is furious the report claimed organic food offered limited nutritional advantages to conventional food, but failed to take in to account the effect chemical residues had on consumers of conventional food, or other reasons consumers chose organic, such as taste, animal welfare and sustainability issues.

Organic 'has no health benefits'

Organic food is no healthier than ordinary food, a large independent review has concluded.

There is little difference in nutritional value and no evidence of any extra health benefits from eating organic produce, UK researchers found.

The Food Standards Agency, which commissioned the report, said the findings would help people make an "informed choice".

But the Soil Association criticised the study and called for better research.

Organic claims beefed up

BUTCHERS often mince their words when it comes to answering questions about organic meat, an investigation by the nation’s leading consumer group has found.

A Choice survey of 29 butchers in Melbourne and Sydney found only 11 were able to answer a question about which body certifies their organic beef. Seven butchers did not know or couldn’t reply directly, but referred customers to brochures or posters with the information.

AFRICA: Organic Farming Could be Answer to Food Insecurity

Commercial farmers sometimes fail at organic farming because they switch over too quickly, ditching all chemicals, which is as traumatic for the soil as "a drug addict going cold turkey".

This is how Cornelius Oosthuizen, the head of the South African Biofarm Institute’s management team, explains why there are relatively few organic farming success stories in South Africa. The South African Biofarm Institute promotes sustainable and profitable biological and organic farming.

Organic produce farmers fear the rising costs of newest government food safety legislation

Organic farming worldwide is partly a product of the 1990s boom times when that market grew rapidly. But now, because of the USA's deep recession, according to the July 17th, 2009 Reuters article, "Embattled organic sector worries about regulation," some farmers are worried and/or angry about the future of organic farming due to new food safety rules emanating from Washington.

Is organic food more nutritious?

I was buying salad greens a few days ago when I overheard a woman say to her partner: "Honey, grab an organic red pepper instead. It has more vitamins." Despite being in the middle of researching this very topic, and confident that I was going to get a message to mind my own business, I refrained from launching into a debate. The truth is, the belief that organic produce is nutritionally superior to conventionally farmed is only mildly supported by scientific evidence.

Green tips for buying organic produce and bulk

Organic produce and bulk items are definitely the way to go these days. The use of pesticides and chemical fertilizers is at such a high, it is hard to fully appreciate the impact they will make on the earth and our future generations. So buying organic is not only good for you, it is good for your family and for the earth.

Organic meat is winner

FOR Shane and Ann Blundy, making the decision to switch to organic farming 16 years ago was easy. "When I was farming conventionally, the animals kept getting sick," Shane says. "The only person making any money was the vet."

Now, with 3000 lambs and 1000 cattle on their 485ha south Gippsland property, Cherry Tree Organics, the Blundys' biggest problem is how to keep up with demand.

10 top tips for organic food on a budget

As hard discounts shops continue to hammer suppliers, and organic sales flatten out does this spell the end of the organic revolution? Not at all says the Soil Association who have come out with a simple and easy to manage top ten tips for organic living without first having to have run the Royal Bank of Scotland.

Organic vs. natural a source of confusion in food labeling

At first it may seem only right for Dean Foods, the nation's largest organic dairy producer, to roll out a line of yogurts and milk marketed as "natural."

But Dean's announcement last week alarmed advocates of organic food, who say the burgeoning market for less expensive "natural" foods reaps billions from consumers while guaranteeing little or nothing in exchange.

Organic Trade Association defends organic standards

The Organic Trade Association is refuting a Washington Post article that claims the U.S. Department of Agriculture's organic standards have been relaxed, saying the article is based on "old news and urban legends."

According to the July 3 Post article, the USDA inspector general's office is investigating the USDA's oversight of private certifiers who decide what products can carry the organic label, and whether those products meet the federal organic standards.