Havering Friends of the Earth

Why buy organic food?

by John Robinson; first published 6-Oct-2023

A selection of organic produce - John Robinson

Why buy organic food? I've heard people say it costs more, goes off faster, and doesn't taste any better! Well, without chemical fertilisers and pesticides, yields on the farm can certainly be lower and thus costs higher - and the lack of preservative treatments can reduce shelf life. Personally I've found that food grown slowly and naturally often does have a better texture and flavour; but there's another very important thing to consider: what is not in organic food?

Take pesticide residues. These chemicals are of course individually approved for use in food production. But a 2019 report, by the Soil Association and Pesticide Action Network, suggests they could become more harmful when combined. This so-called "cocktail effect" needs further research, including possible cumulative effects. The report includes some alarming statistics on residues found during routine Government tests; many everyday food samples contained possible carcinogens and/or endocrine disruptors.

Every decade from the 1960s to the 2000s has seen a new class of pesticide introduced, and many have subsequently been banned. Organochlorines (remember DDT?), Organophosphates, Pyrethroids, Neonicotinoids, Endocrine Disruptors... what next? The industry claims pesticide use has decreased over time, but that conveniently ignores the fact that modern ones are far more potent. Some neonicotinoids, for example, are thousands of times more toxic than DDT.

Organic farming uses techniques such as varied rotations, pest and disease resistant varieties, and introduction of beneficial insect predators. These greatly reduce the need for pesticides, most of which are banned, along with artificial fertilisers; good news for wildlife, especially bees and other vital pollinating insects. Organic fruit such as oranges and lemons is unwaxed (read the small print on a waxed fruit pack - the coating is more than just "wax"). Genetic modification is outlawed. Organic livestock is reared under at least free-range conditions (often with lower stocking densities), and fed an organic diet. Hormone growth-promoters are not used, and antibiotics aren't given routinely.

Now, more than ever, we face difficult choices when spending our money - but what price good health? Illnesses such as cancer are ever more prevalent, and yet we often don't really know, or question, what caused them. I think it makes sense to avoid ingesting even tiny amounts of toxic chemicals; buying organic food, if you can, is surely a wise move.