Are “organic” Products Worth the Money?
We are constantly being told how we can eat healthier foods – eat smaller meals, avoid genetically modified organisms, buy only organic foods! As for the latter, as much as we want to do what’s best for our body, organic foods tend to cost a lot more than other foods. And while organic foods do offer some benefits, some may be greater than others. For example, there was much controversy over a 2012 study published by the American College of Physicians that looked at over 200 studies and found that organic foods did not have a higher vitamin or mineral content than the same foods grown using traditional methods.
However, when it comes to your personal shopping habits, this is one piece of a much larger puzzle. This is a complex topic, but let’s start with what is meant by “organic” food, and then try to help you decide whether to buy organic foods or not.
What is organic?
Food labels can be confusing. When you see something being marketed as “organic,” what does that actually mean? Here’s what that means, according to the USDA :
USDA-certified organic products are grown and processed in accordance with federal guidelines that consider soil quality, animal husbandry practices, pest and weed control, and the use of additives, among many factors. Organic producers rely as much as possible on natural substances and physical, mechanical or biological farming methods.
Simply put, if you see the USDA Organic or Certified Organic seal on your food, then that food must have a list of ingredients and its contents must be 95 percent or more certified organic (not including salt and water), that is, free from synthetic additives such as pesticides, chemical fertilizers, and dyes, and should not be handled with industrial solvents, radiation, or genetic engineering, according to the USDA . The remaining 5 percent can be food only or processed with additives from the approved list.
But “Certified Organic” isn’t the only label you’ll see. You can also see “100% organic”, which means a product that contains 100% organic ingredients (excluding salt and water, which are considered natural). According to the USDA, most raw, unprocessed agricultural products are “100% organic,” as are many value-added farm products that do not contain added ingredients, such as cereal flour and oatmeal.
What about meat ? To be considered organic , the USDA requires animals to be raised in living conditions that match their natural behavior (such as grazing ability), fed on 100% organic feed and forage, and not receiving antibiotics or hormones.
Violation of USDA organic labeling guidelines can result in civil fines of up to $ 17,952 per violation . If it doesn’t seem like a lot of money for a big business, it should be: Low fines and high volume of organic products flooding markets have sparked skepticism that the USDA is properly enforcing label compliance , whether through product verification or punishment of violators. Some fear that “organic” has become a marketing term with little meaning . However, when you buy organic products from most stores and top brands, you can rest assured that they comply with these guidelines.
We’ve covered this topic in detail in the past , and for more information on the USDA’s Organic Labeling Program, check out this fact sheet or visit USDA’s Organic Certification Portal . If you are located outside the United States, the labeling system for organic products may differ. For example, here are the organic rules of the European Union .
What are the benefits of natural products?
Now that we know what it means to be “organic,” we can discuss the benefits, or in some cases, the perceived benefits of buying organic food. There are more considerations than just price tag and nutritional value.
A study by the Annals of Internal Medicine found that organic foods did not have significant vitamin or mineral benefits (with the exception of phosphorus, which is abundant in the human diet anyway) over conventionally grown foods. The study concluded:
The nutritional value
There is no conclusive evidence in the published literature that organic foods are significantly more nutritious than conventional foods. Eating organic foods can reduce exposure to pesticide residues and antibiotic-resistant bacteria.
The research has been the subject of heated controversy , and some media outlets say the added value of organic products is a waste of money . Others point out that the emphasis on nutritional value completely overlooks certification, support, and the purchase of organic products. However, the bottom line is this: the results should challenge any claims that organic foods somehow have higher nutritional value than regular foods. Of course, this study is far from the last word on nutritional value and organic foods, but it’s important to note that nutritional value is not part of the USDA’s stated mission of organic certification (and, as far as we can tell, not in other countries. too).
Environmental impact
One of the goals of organically grown and produced food is to promote sustainable farming and growing practices, the recycling of natural resources, and growing food without the use of harsh pesticides or chemical fertilizers. This makes many organic crops more volatile, while focusing on sustainability as well as yield. Some studies have shown that organic farms have a lower environmental impact than traditional ones. A close eye may notice that this may be due to the fact that organic yields are generally lower and organic farms are generally smaller. Ultimately, it is important as a consumer to determine whether the money you spend on food should reflect your position on issues such as local agriculture or environmental sustainability. Maybe or maybe not – science cannot make the decision for you.
Public health and antibiotics
The Atlantic also points out that because organic foods – especially organic meats – must contain 95-100% organic materials, synthetic additives and antibiotics should not be added to animal feed. If you are concerned about this, then this is another point to consider when shopping for groceries. At the same time, some methods, such as irradiation, which minimize contamination, are not part of the organic food production process, which is another factor to consider. In a 2012 study, there were two things that can be said about contamination: meat and food grown on traditional farms are more likely to be contaminated with antibiotic-resistant bacteria, but both have an equal risk of infection in general.
Pesticides and Chemical Additives : Research has also shown that organic foods are much less likely to contain pesticides (consuming organic matter reduces the risk of consuming pesticides by 30%), although both conventional and organic foods have been shown to contain significantly lower traces of pesticides USDA. limits. It is also worth noting that organic products are not the same as “pesticide free”, which means that their use is limited or restricted to the permitted list. The Atlantic notes :
A Stanford study found that only 7% of organic foods contain traces of pesticides, compared to 38% of conventionally grown foods. Again, this does not mean that organic foods will improve your health – you simply will be less at risk of exposure to potentially harmful substances, whatever the cost to you. Quantifying this benefit is a controversial area and certainly deserves more research.
It’s also worth noting that since organic foods are grown without harsh herbicides and pesticides, this means that the farmers and pickers who bring these foods to you don’t have to work in an environment full of them.
Taste
Obviously, organic food tastes best when it comes to flavor. Many people swear by the difference in organic eggs, dairy, meat, and a few other foods. Others say that blindfolded, the same people will not be able to tell the organic from the ordinary. There is little data on this topic, so we’ll leave it to your discretion.
Price
Most supermarkets sell organic products at a higher price. This is partly a question of supply and demand, and partly because it often takes more money to grow organic food, meat and dairy products than it does to grow conventional goods. However, that doesn’t always have to be the case: Signing up to a local CSA , finding your nearest food cooperative, or even visiting your local farmers’ market can all bring you high quality, often organically grown produce at great (even negotiable) prices. However, the right price depends on you and your budget.
Is it worth buying organic or not?
Whether you should buy organic products instead of regular products is entirely up to you, your budget, and what you expect to get from those products. If the reason you buy organic foods is because you think they are “better for you” nutritionally, then there is no reason to continue. However, if you bought them because they are “better for you” in terms of chemical pesticides, growth hormones, or antibiotics, you will definitely be getting a lower dietary intake. If sustainability is your top priority, or if you invest in agriculture, then you have a good reason to keep buying organic.
Dr. Daria Rose, who runs the Summer Tomato blog, goes into detail on the issue and notes that whether or not buying organic is worth buying is a bigger issue that people have to tackle based on their own needs. For many, eating organic foods is a luxury they cannot afford. For others, it’s a matter of taste and quality. Whatever you choose, you must make a decision with open eyes.
This article was originally published in 2012 and updated on June 16, 2020 by Elizabeth Yuko. Updates include the following: Checked links for accuracy and replaced broken links, updated formatting to reflect the current style, and a revised feature image.