News Coverage
How to Eat Clean and Organic
Published April 16, 2008
There is no rule of thumb when dealing with pesticides.
In a world where more and more research is being released detailing the harmful effects of pesticides, researchers say the best way to reduce your pesticide intake is by going organic.
The Environmental Work Group, an advocacy and public health organization dedicated to educating the public about healthy lifestyles and the environment, recently used data and research to compile a "Dirty List" of farm-raised products that have the highest level of pesticides, according to Jovana Ruzicic, spokesperson.
"We're concerned about pesticide intake and we think the public should be concerned to," Ruzicic said.
The findings were based on 43,000 Food and Drug Administration and United States Department of Agriculture tests on conventional farming pesticide use and the residual pesticides found on and in produce between 2000 and 2004.
Conventional farmers spray up to 45 different pesticides on the fruits and vegetables that are sold in grocery stores. Many popular fruits and vegetables absorb a significant amount of pesticides. Additionally, livestock farmers treat their animals with hormones and antibiotics that linger in meat and milk products.
The EWG developed a guide to help consumers prioritize items that should be eaten organic, said Ruzicic.
The peach was found to have the highest amount of contamination, with 97 percent testing positive for pesticides, while onions had the lowest dose, with only 10 percent testing positive. Other items on the dirty list included apples at 92 percent positive, as well as sweet bell peppers, celery, grapes, lettuce, potatoes and tomatoes.
"It's not wise to say that the thickness of (the) barrier has to do with pesticide absorption," Ruzicic said. "There's no rule. That's why we made the list."
Price and availability often prevent people from exploring the organic side of food, so the list will help them make better decisions about which produce to eat organic.
Locally, there are several organic stores that offer a wide variety of produce.
The organic market is the fastest growing segment in the food industry for the last three years, said Susan Ryan, owner of Good Earth Market in Clarksville.
"People are getting more enlightened about what they are eating," Ryan said. "New studies show that organics are higher in nutrients than conventionally raised" food products.
After researching pesticides and the affects they had on farm workers, Christina Wade, owner of OC Organics in West Ocean City, started the organic business 13 years ago as a co-op running out of her garage. Her family home and neighborhood were being sprayed with pesticides spread by air and trucks. Her children's school was sprayed too often for bug control. And she soon discovered that everything was organic before World War II.
"It's a mind-blower," Wade said. "In such a short period of time how much things changed.
"Going organic isn't a gamble. You're gambling with your life if you don't."
Not only are organic foods free of pesticides, Wade said they are higher in nutritional content.
"We are an overfeed, under-nourished country," Wade said. "Organic food is higher in vitamins and mineral content. You'll get the proper nutrition."
Ryan said that organic foods cost 25 to 40 percent higher, but when you learn the difference, "it almost seems like a bargain because you get more nutrition for your dollar."
Ryan said that when you're switching from conventional to organic it can be overwhelming. She said to take baby steps.
"Start with milk," she suggested. "It's something that you shouldn't be drinking anything but organic. It's available now in every grocery store."
Then she said to start introducing other organic products, like fruits and vegetables, into your diet.
She said that meat should also be switched to organic, but it tends to be more expensive. Other items, like coffee, should also be organic because of the number of pesticides used.
Of course, you may even find that organic items are right in your backyard, Ryan said.
The Good Earth Market sits on a 10-acre USDA certified organic farm that raises its own heirloom tomatoes, herbs and vegetables. There are also eggs, honey, jams and jellies made in the region, as well as organic free-range eggs from Georgetown, which Ryan has a hard time keeping on the shelf, she said.
"They just taste better. They're unbelievable."
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