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Eating Organic

Is It Healthier?

By Johnathon Allen

If that's not enough to give you pause before picking up a bag of produce at your local market, consider that there are also 40 types of genetically engineered (GE) crops approved for marketing in the U.S. Because many of these crops are essential grain and soy products, more than 60 percent of the food on your local grocery store shelves now contain genetically altered elements that require no labeling.

For the past four years, the National Organic Program, in conjunction with the USDA and the NOSB, has been working to create a single national standard for organic foods. Not surprisingly, the issue has been extensively debated by all parties. The USDA's original 600-page draft was considerably revised in response to a highly successful grassroots campaign to maintain strict certification standards and exclude the use of GE and irradiated products in foods bearing the organic label. The USDA will present the final version by the end of the year. Implementation will begin in the early part of 2001.

Shoppers who do not have access to organic foods, or can't afford the slightly higher price, may wonder what alternatives they have. Though washing and peeling are not enough to completely eliminate pesticide residue or compensate for GE altered foods, there are measures that concerned shoppers can take.

"If price is the issue, shoppers should spend the energy to look around," says DiMatteo. "Natural food cooperatives often have very competitive pricing on organic products, especially for members, and careful shoppers can often find stores where organic prices are competitive with non-organics. Families may also choose to buy organic products for the foods they consume most, like milk or bread which, even though it's only one product, contributes considerably to the organic economy or purchase organic foods that are, according to EWG's Forbidden Fruit study, most likely to be contaminated [e.g. spinach, strawberries, apples etc.]. If availability is the issue, speak to the manager where you shop. Often, supermarkets will acquire organic foods at the customer's request."

DiMatteo also suggests that, after the USDA's national standards are implemented, organic products will receive a new level of credibility and become more attractive to farmers and markets, thereby driving down prices as more people choose to buy organic.