Courier News Online, Editors of Consumer Reports
Published March 31, 2006
Despite the fact that shoppers pay, on average, 50 percent more for organic food, organic products are one of the fastest-growing categories in the food business. Nearly two-thirds of U.S. consumers bought organic foods and beverages in 2005, up from about half in 2004.
While some buy organic to support its producers' environmentally friendly practices, most are trying to cut their exposure to chemicals in the foods they eat.
So what can you count on when you buy organic? If the product is labeled "100 Percent Organic," it means that, by law, there are no synthetic ingredients. Also, production processes must meet federal organic standards and must have been independently verified by accredited inspectors.
If the label says simply "Organic," no less than 95 percent of the ingredients must have been organically produced. And if it's labeled "Made with Organic Ingredients," you can be sure that at least 70 percent of its makeup is organic. The remaining ingredients must come from the U.S. Department of Agriculture's approved list.
Labels that specify "natural" or "all natural" do not mean organic. The reason is that no standard definition for these terms exists, except when it's applied to meat and poultry products, which the USDA defines as not containing any artificial flavoring, colors or synthetic ingredients.
The terms "free-range" or "free-roaming" are similarly meaningless. Stamped on eggs, chicken and other meat, this label suggests that an animal has spent a good portion of its life outdoors. But U.S. government standards are weak. The rule for the label's use on poultry products, for example, is merely that outdoor access be made available for "an undetermined period each day."
Labeling seafood "organic" also is misleading, since the USDA has not yet developed organic certification standards.
Another pointless "organic" purchase: cosmetics. Most cosmetics contain a mix of ingredients, and USDA regulations allow shampoos and body lotions to carry an organic label even when water is the primary ingredient. Hydrosol also may be listed as a primary ingredient in organic products, even though it may be primarily water infused with only a small fraction of organic plant material.
Organic purchases that do make sense include these fruits and vegetables: apples, bell peppers, celery, cherries, imported grapes, nectarines, peaches, pears, potatoes, red raspberries, spinach and strawberries.
Labeled the "dirty dozen" by the Washington, D.C.-based Environmental Working Group, conventionally grown versions of these products tend to be laden with pesticides.
Also, organic meat, poultry, eggs and dairy are sensible buys, although you'll often pay double what you would for nonorganic. What you'll get in return is minimized exposure to potential toxins in nonorganic feed.
You'll also avoid the results of production methods that use daily supplemental hormones and antibiotics, which have been linked to increased antibacterial resistance in humans.
Organic baby food is another safe bet. Children's developing bodies are especially vulnerable to toxins, and they may be at risk for higher exposure. Baby food often is made up of condensed fruits or vegetables, potentially concentrating pesticide residues.
Although critics say the higher cost of organic foods is money wasted (because there's no proof that conventionally produced foods pose significant health risks), we found ways to save on the cost of organic products if you know how to shop.
For example, you can buy at local farmers' markets (check
www.localharvest.org for locations) or order by mail (
www.eatwellguide.org ).
Another helpful site is
www.theorganicpages.com , and buying produce in season can save on costs. So can buying a share in a community-supported organic farm. Spending some $300 to $500 a season will get a family of four a weekly supply of produce from spring until fall - often at a savings over what you'd pay for the same nonorganic items in a supermarket. For a list of community-supported farms, go to
www.sare.org .
