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# Why We Should All Eat More Organic Food
- URL: https://www.foodconsumer.org/why_we_should_all_eat_more_organic_food_3012090650/
- Published: 2009-12-30T18:49:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-09-22T15:49:50.000Z
- Description: The piece argues organic produce averages 25 percent more vitamins and minerals than industrially farmed food, with organic milk 50 to 80 percent higher in antioxidants, and that organic food avoids additives such as MSG, aspartame, sodium nitrate and mercury contamination.
- Author: Food Consumer
- Tags: Dining, Recipes & Dining, Organic Food, #vivvo-import

## [Why We Should All Eat More Organic Food](http://www.foodconsumer.org/newsite/organic/organic20705.cfm)

###### [Organic Food is More Nutritious](http://www.foodconsumer.org/newsite/articles/article%5F10992.cfm)

- Organic foods, especially raw or non-processed, contain higher levels of [beta carotene](http://www.foodconsumer.org/newsite/articles/article%5F18745.cfm), vitamins [C, ](http://www.foodconsumer.org/newsite/organic/organic%5Fnutrition.cfm)[D](http://www.foodconsumer.org/newsite/articles/article%5F17169.cfm)and [E](http://www.foodconsumer.org/newsite/madcow/grassfed111505.cfm), health-promoting [polyphenols](http://www.foodconsumer.org/newsite/articles/article%5F4830.cfm), cancer-fighting[antioxidants](http://www.foodconsumer.org/newsite/organic/antioxi20205.cfm), [flavonoids](http://www.foodconsumer.org/newsite/articles/article%5F5951.cfm) that help ward off heart disease, [essential fatty acids](http://www.foodconsumer.org/newsite/organic/milk011005.cfm), and [essential minerals](http://www.foodconsumer.org/newsite/Organic/organicstudy.cfm).
- On average, organic is [25% more nutritious ](http://www.foodconsumer.org/newsite/articles/article%5F10992.cfm)in terms of  
vitamins and minerals than products derived from industrial agriculture. Since on the average, organic food's shelf price is only 20% higher than chemical food, this makes it actually cheaper, gram for gram, than chemical food, even ignoring the astronomical hidden costs (damage to health, climate, environment, and government subsidies) of industrial food production.
- Levels of antioxidants in milk from organic cattle are between [50% and 80% higher](http://www.foodconsumer.org/newsite/articles/article%5F8470.cfm) than normal milk. Organic wheat, tomatoes, potatoes, cabbage, onions and lettuce have between [20% and 40% more nutrients](http://www.foodconsumer.org/newsite/articles/article%5F8470.cfm) than non-organic foods.
- Organic food contains qualitatively higher levels of essential minerals (such as calcium, magnesium, iron and chromium), that are severely depleted in chemical foods grown on pesticide and nitrate fertilizer-abused soil. UK and US government statistics indicate that levels of trace minerals in (non-organic) fruit and vegetables fell by up to 76% between 1940 and 1991.

###### [Organic Food is Pure Food, Free of Chemical Additives](http://www.foodconsumer.org/newsite/health.cfm)

- Organic food doesn't contain [food additives](http://www.foodconsumer.org/newsite/articles/article%5F9824.cfm), flavor enhancers (like [MSG](http://www.foodconsumer.org/newsite/articles/article%5F17608.cfm)), artificial sweeteners (like [aspartame](http://www.foodconsumer.org/newsite/foodsafety.cfm#aspartame) and [high-fructose corn syrup](http://www.foodconsumer.org/newsite/articles/article%5F19835.cfm)), contaminants (like [mercury](http://www.foodconsumer.org/newsite/articles/article%5F19491.cfm)) or preservatives (like [sodium nitrate](http://www.foodconsumer.org/newsite/articles/article%5F18470.cfm)), that can cause health problems.
- Eating organic has the potential to [lower the incidence](http://www.foodconsumer.org/newsite/organic/health-benefits.cfm) of [autism](http://www.foodconsumer.org/newsite/articles/article%5F19491.cfm), [learning disorders](http://www.foodconsumer.org/newsite/articles/article%5F19491.cfm), [diabetes](http://www.foodconsumer.org/newsite/articles/article%5F19023.cfm), [cancer](http://www.foodconsumer.org/newsite/articles/article%5F3100.cfm), [coronary heart disease](http://www.foodconsumer.org/newsite/organic/health-benefits.cfm), [allergies, ](http://www.foodconsumer.org/newsite/articles/article%5F19126.cfm)[osteoporosis](http://www.foodconsumer.org/newsite/articles/article%5F17169.cfm),[migraines](http://www.foodconsumer.org/newsite/foodsafety/aspartame071905.cfm), [dementia](http://www.foodconsumer.org/newsite/articles/article%5F18470.cfm), and [hyperactivity](http://www.foodconsumer.org/newsite/school/hyper060404.cfm).

###### [Organic Food Is Safer](http://www.foodconsumer.org/newsite/foodsafety.cfm)

- Organic food doesn't contain [pesticides](http://www.whatsonmyfood.org/?ref=foodconsumer.org). More than 400 chemical pesticides are routinely used in conventional farming and [residues](http://www.foodconsumer.org/newsite/articles/article%5F19203.cfm) remain on non-organic food even after washing. [Children](http://www.foodconsumer.org/newsite/organic/wic-faq.pdf) are especially vulnerable to pesticide exposure. One class of pesticides, [endocrine disruptors](http://www.foodconsumer.org/newsite/articles/article%5F19775.cfm), may be responsible for early puberty and breast cancer. Pesticides are linked to[asthma and cancer](http://www.foodconsumer.org/newsite/articles/article%5F19267.cfm).
- Organic food isn't [genetically modified](http://www.foodconsumer.org/newsite/gelink.cfm). Under organic standards, genetically modified (GM) crops and ingredients are prohibited.
- Organic animals aren't given drugs. Organic farming standards prohibit the use of [antibiotics](http://www.foodconsumer.org/newsite/articles/article%5F19441.cfm), [growth hormones](http://www.foodconsumer.org/newsite/rbghlink.cfm) and genetically modified vaccines in farm animals. [Hormone-laced beef ](http://www.foodconsumer.org/newsite/articles/article%5F19434.cfm)and dairy consumption is correlated with increased rates of breast, testis and prostate cancers.
- Organic animals [aren't fed slaughterhouse waste, blood, ](http://www.foodconsumer.org/newsite/madcow/riddle010404.cfm)or [manure](http://www.foodconsumer.org/newsite/articles/article%5F19507.cfm). Eating organic reduces the risks of [CJD](http://www.foodconsumer.org/newsite/articles/article%5F19879.cfm), the human version of [mad cow disease](http://www.foodconsumer.org/newsite/madcow.cfm), as well as [Alzheimer's](http://www.foodconsumer.org/newsite/articles/article%5F2142.cfm).
- Organic animals aren't fed [arsenic](http://www.foodconsumer.org/newsite/articles/article%5F19799.cfm).
- Organic animals aren't fed [byproducts of corn ethanol production](http://www.foodconsumer.org/newsite/articles/article%5F19329.cfm) (which increases the rate of [E. coli](http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/04/health/04meat.html?ref=foodconsumer.org) contamination).
- Organic crops aren't fertilized with [toxic sewage sludge](http://www.foodconsumer.org/newsite/sludge.cfm) or [coal waste](http://www.foodconsumer.org/newsite/articles/article%5F19906.cfm), or irrigated with E. coli contaminated [sewage water](http://www.foodconsumer.org/newsite/articles/article%5F19082.cfm).
- Organic food isn't [irradiated](http://www.foodconsumer.org/newsite/irradlink.cfm). Cats fed a diet of irradiated food got [multiple sclerosis](http://www.foodconsumer.org/newsite/articles/article%5F19201.cfm) within 3-4 months.
- Organic food contains less illness-inducing bacteria. [Organic chicken](http://www.foodconsumer.org/newsite/articles/article%5F19725.cfm) is free of salmonella and has a reduced incidence of campylobacter.

###### Organic Food Contains No Hidden Costs

**As taxpayers, we pay for the hidden health and environmental costs of industrial agricultural. These include the pollution of our drinking water with pesticides, fertilizer and animal waste from conventional farms.**

###### Organic Food Is Certified to High Standards

**Organic food comes from trusted sources that are inspected to ensure compliance with the rigorous organic standards.**

###### Organic Food Protects Animal Welfare

**Organic methods provide for animals. Animal welfare is taken very seriously under organic standards.**

###### Organic Food Is Good for the Planet

**Organic food is good for wildlife and the environment. Organic farming is better for wildlife, causes less pollution and waste, and produces fewer global warming gases.**

- Shades of Green: [Quantifying the Benefits of Organic Dairy Production](http://www.organicconsumers.org/Organic/Shades%5Fof%5FGreen%5F03302009%5Ffinal.pdf?ref=foodconsumer.org)

###### Organic Food Tastes Better   

**Organic food is more flavorful. Many people prefer organic food because they say it tastes better.**

###### 

## How to Identify Real Organic Food

###### Look for the USDA Organic Seal or the Words "Made With Organic Ingredients"   

**When you see the USDA Organic seal, you know that the food is at least 95% organic, does not contain genetically modified organisms, was not irradiated, and comes from a farm that:**

- Employs positive soil building, conservation, manure management and crop rotation practices.
- Provides outdoor access and pasture for livestock.
- Refrains from antibiotic and hormone use in animals.
- Sustains animals on 100% organic feed.
- Keeps records of all operations.
- Is inspected annually by an accredited Third-Party Organic Certifier.

**If it is a multi-ingredient product, it was made at a certified organic processing plant that takes strict measures to avoid contamination of organic products.**

**Products that are "Made With Organic Ingredients" are at least 70% organic and are also free of genetically modified organisms and food irradiation.**

###### [Organic Food On a Budget ](http://www.foodconsumer.org/newsite/articles/article%5F16803.cfm)  

When comparing prices in the grocery aisles, the organic version of particular items is often 20% on the average more expensive, but if you make a pledge to eat more organic, you'll likely save money overall by eating out at restaurants less often, packing your lunch, and cooking from scratch. [Learn more.](http://www.salon.com/mwt/feature/2009/04/25/pinched%5Fethically/index.html?ref=foodconsumer.org)

From [Organic Consumers Association](http://organicconsumers.org/organlink.cfm?ref=foodconsumer.org)