The label 'organic' has always carried a reputation of health – and a hefty price tag! Although the price tag is still there, recent claims suggest that organic products are no better than standard commercial products. TODAY Nutritionist Joanna McMillan Price joins us in the studio to talk us through the findings.
Story summary
- A British Food Standards Agency commissioned research has concluded that a systematic review of 162 scientific papers published in the scientific literature over the last 50 years, found there was no significant difference
- The report quotes "A small number of differences in nutrient content were found to exist between organically and conventionally produced foodstuffs, but these are unlikely to be of any public health relevance," said Alan Dangour, one of the report's authors
- The report also quotes "Our review indicates that there is currently no evidence to support the selection of organically over conventionally produced foods on the basis of nutritional superiority"
- Researchers from the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine said consumers were paying higher prices for organic food because of its perceived health benefits
- The global organic market is worth an estimated $48 billion in 2007
What is classified as organic?
- According to the Biological Farmers of Australia website, certified organic products are grown and processed without the use of synthetic chemicals (artificial colours/flavours/preservatives), fertilisers, or GMOs. It is an innovative method of farming and production - and is increasingly being recognised as being on the leading edge of food and fibre technology into the future
- Organics is not just chemical free by testing. It is about the way your food is grown and handled. The whole system is linked - Soil. Plants. Animals. Food. People. Environment.
- Standards to achieve this are internationally recognised, and are assured through annual audits of all certified operators by an independent third party auditor In Australia, anyone can use the term 'organic' and the only way to be sure a product is what it claims to be is to check that it is approved by a certifying body
- The full 74 page 'National Standard for Organic & Bio-Dynamic Produce' can be found at www.aqis.gov.au/organic
The problem with organic food
- There is no one governing body that regulates all food to one set of standards. There are a number of Organic Certification bodies which is a problem because each differ in their requirement to gain certification
- Standards Australia is currently developing a standard for organic products. It will not be mandatory but it will give clearer guidelines for agencies such as the ACCC (Australian Consumer & Competition Commission), enabling them to take action where they see fit
Food Group 1 – Organic doesn’t mean it’s good for you
What Joanna says:
- The common misconception is that if it is labelled as organic, people automatically expect it to be good for you...
- These products are all certified organic but are processed and high in sugar & fats are no better for you than any other biscuit or chip
Food group 2 – Animal products: Where it counts
What Joanna says:
- Meat & poultry is the food group where having organic can be beneficial
- Certified organic meat & poultry must not be given growth promoters (including antibiotics), livestock must range freely and it's feed must be free of synthetic pesticides
- Claims that eggs are free from antibiotics and hormones mean very little. Hormones haven't been used in chicken (or egg) production since the 1960s. Cage birds are routinely given antibiotics for disease prevention but tests have shown that the antibiotics don't get into the eggs. (Source: http://www.choice.com.au/viewArticle.aspx?id=106393&catId=100286&tid=100008&p=1&title=Free+range+eggs)
Food Group 3 – Fruit and vegetables: Pesticide territory
What Joanna says:
- The main difference between organic fruit & veg & normal fruit & veg is the use of pesticides
- Organic fruit & veg must be pesticide free
- The issue there is that not enough study has been done into pesticides and the effects of pesticide ingestion so we don't really know if it causes any problems
- Fresh fruit & veg can be hard to trust if it's displayed loosely with no packaging so if you're concerned, go for one that has packaging and a certification stamp
Australian certifying bodies are:
For more, go to www.joannamcmillanprice.com and www.organicchoice.com.au/index.php
