A study just released by the FSA concludes that organic food is no more beneficial than conventional food. This has of course created scary headlines in all the major newspapers “organic is no better for you” etc and at a time where consumers are cautious of overspending, the organic market may find it is hit hard.
I’ve been reading many comments to this study and as the Soil Association states, we choose to buy organic for a variety of reasons, health being one of them, but also the positive environmental impact and ecological advantages that organic growing, whether it is wheat or cotton being grown, has for all of us.
One of our most important factors for choosing to pay the little extra to get the organic alternative is the heavy use of pesticides on conventional food. You may or may not notice a different taste between an organic and non-organic tomato, but conventionally grown tomatoes have the pesticide factor.
Five years ago I travelled through South America and experienced first hand the damage crop spraying and pesticides can have. My friend and I were boarding a public bus high in the Peruvian Andes where a mother was sat at the front, crying and holding onto her 10 year son. Our guide explained that the child had become very sick after spraying the crops for the family to sell, they did not have masks and suitable protective clothing. The closest doctor was over an hour away and sadly, it was too late for the child, he passed away on the bus.
By buying organic, in any form, food or clothing, we are all helping to reduce the use of toxic pesticides and improve the quality of life for our children and families.
Thanks / Lisa
