Consumers buy organic foods based on a claim that pesticides are not used. In reality, not all organic foods are pesticide free. We have come to find that many organic foods just use a lower exposure of pesticides and chemicals than conventional foods. A large difference in the way organic foods and non organic foods are grown, is that organic foods use cow manure while conventional foods use synthentic fertilizer. But, if the cow is sick or infested with a disease, this disease could still transfer to the manure, contaminating the organic food. |
As for the relative risks of contamination from potentially deadly bacteria like e-coli, "organic crops are just as vulnerable to the bacteria as any other plants."
- Mark Kantor, a professor of nutrition at the University of Maryland
- Mark Kantor, a professor of nutrition at the University of Maryland
Two lists on eating safe:
Although pesticides are still used in producing organic products one talk show, called The Doctors, provides consumers with two food lists: the dirty dozen and the clean fifteen. The doctors say the dirty dozen is a list of foods that consumers should buy organic. These foods have a thinner skin, making them harder to wash off the pesticides. While, the clean fifteen is a list foods that consumers should buy non-organic. These foods have a thicken skin, which add an extra protection from pesticides. The two lists are found below:
Should buy organic
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Should not buy organic
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Overall, many people claim that organic food is safer. However, there has been no research proving that organic foods are 100% safer than non-organic. The lists provided above are ways a consumer may feel safer when buying their food products. Always buy organic foods with thin skin!