Organic Foods: Guide to Pesticides, GMOs, Food Irradiation, and

							Organic Foods: Guide to Pesticides, GMOs, Food
Irradiation, and Eating Well On A Budget
Organically grown produce reduces the potential health and environmental hazards posed by
pesticides, GMOs, irradiation and additives. Pesticides can cause developmental delays,
behavioral disorders, and motor dysfunction, and can even infect children in the womb.

http://www.helpguide.org/life/organic_foods_pesticides_gmo.htm

On this page: What is the difference between conventional and organic foods? | Why should I be
concerned about pesticide residues in food? | What are GMOs? | What is food irradiation? | What
do I need to know about mercury and other toxics in seafood? | What are the advantages of
organic produce? | I'd like to buy organic, but it's hard to find where I live. What can I do? | How
can I eat healthfully on a budget? | References and resources | Series contents

http://www.helpguide.org/life/healthy_eating_diet.htm

You've made a commitment to healthy eating, adapting the new Food Pyramid to your age,
gender, fitness level and lifestyle. This is a great start! Beyond eating more fruits, vegetables,
whole grains and good fats, however, there is the question of food purity. How foods are grown or
raised can impact your health. Food labeling can leave you confused as to what terms such as
"organic," "natural," "free-range," and "non-GMO" really mean. Understanding this terminology is
essential to selecting foods that are the healthiest for you and your loved ones.

What is the difference between conventional and organic foods?
The terms "conventional" and "organic" refer to the ways in which food is grown, handled and
processed. Whereas conventional farmers use synthetic or chemical means to fertilize soil,
control weeds and insects, and prevent livestock disease, organic farmers opt for less invasive
methods, such as manure or compost fertilizer, crop rotation and giving animals room to roam.

The USDA has developed the following legal standards for the "organic" certification:

For fruits, vegetables and grains:

       Safe soil, free of sewage sludge, lead salts and potassium chloride, among many
        other substances, for at least three years prior to the first organic harvest;
       No modification: GMOs, irradiation and additives are prohibited (see below for
        details);
       Separate storage: handlers, food processors and food manufacturers must
        separate organic products from non-organic products and take steps to ensure that
        organic foods don't come into contact with forbidden chemicals or substances.
For meat, milk, eggs and other animal products:

       Timing: animals must be raised organically from the last third of gestation (for
        livestock) or no later than the second day of life (for poultry).
       Organic feed: livestock feed products must be 100 percent organically grown.
       Hormone- and antibiotic-free: sick animals must be treated—but if an animal
        has been treated with a prohibited medication, it can't be labeled and sold as
        organic.
       Outdoor access, including pasture land for animals that graze. Each animal must
        have shade, shelter, fresh air, direct sunlight and room to exercise appropriate for
        its species.
       No commingling. Organic animal products must be separated from non-organic
        products. Organic animal products must not come into contact with prohibited
        chemicals or substances.

One important caveat: "natural" does not equal organic! "Natural" is an unregulated term that can
be applied by anyone, and is therefore potentially misleading. While the commonly seen food
labels "all natural", "free-range" or "hormone-free" signify that the food has been raised or grown
humanely, only the "USDA Organic" label indicates that a food is certified organic.

Why should I be concerned about pesticide residues in food?
We don't tend to think about what is invisible to us, or to calculate the accumulated build-up of
years of pesticide exposure in our bodies. While some sources believe the benefits of pesticides
to human nutrition outweigh any potential health risks, the research suggests otherwise.

When veteran journalist Bill Moyers had his blood and urine tested as part of a study of pollutant
loads in the human body conducted by Mount Sinai School of Medicine, 84 distinct chemicals
were found—including some that had been banned more than a quarter of a century before.

This chemical "body burden," as it is medically known, is even more insidious for children, whose
developing bodies and brains are more vulnerable. A 2005 Journal of the American Medical
Association study reported the incidence of illness linked to pesticide use in and around U.S.
schools is on the rise.

Organophosphates—the same class of insecticides detected in Moyers' blood—were most
frequently responsible for these poisonings, which have been linked in animal studies to:

       developmental delays,
       behavioral disorders,
       and motor dysfunction.

Because organophosphates are persistent pesticides that remain in the environment and in the
human body for many years, they can be passed from mother to child in the womb, as well as
through breast milk. Some exposures can cause delayed effects on the nervous system, even
years after the initial exposure.
What fruits and vegetables are highest and lowest in pesticides?
Highest in Pesticides

These 12 popular fresh fruits and vegetables are consistently the most contaminated with
pesticides—buy these organic.


       Apples                            Peaches
       Bell Peppers                      Pears
       Celery                            Potatoes
       Cherries                          Red Raspberries
       Grapes (imported)                 Spinach
       Nectarines                        Strawberries



Lowest in Pesticides

These 12 popular fresh fruits and vegetables consistently have the lowest levels of pesticides.


       Asparagus                         Kiwi
       Avocados                          Mangos
       Bananas                           Onions
       Broccoli                          Papaya
       Cauliflower                       Pineapples
       Corn (sweet)                      Peas (sweet)



Will washing and peeling fruits and vegetables help reduce
exposure to pesticides?
Excerpted from Shoppers Guide to Pesticides in Produce (Environmental Working Group)

Nearly all of the data used to create these lists already considers how people typically wash and
prepare produce (for example, apples are washed before testing, bananas are peeled). While
washing and rinsing fresh produce may help reduce pesticide residues, it does not eliminate
them. Peeling reduces exposures, but valuable nutrients often go down the drain with the peel.
The best option is to eat a varied diet, wash all produce, and choose organic when possible to
reduce exposure to potentially harmful chemicals.
What are GMOs?
Genetically modified organisms (GMOs) are life forms that have been genetically engineered.
Genetic engineering (GE) is the process of taking genes from one strain of a plant, animal, or
virus and inserting them into another, with the goal of reproducing characteristics of the original
species in the receiving species. The U.S. government first sanctioned pharmaceutical gene
splicing in 1982. However, GE/GM foods didn't make their way onto supermarket shelves until
1994.

Although three government agencies are involved in the GMO approval process (the USDA, EPA
and FDA), there are no mandated pre-market safety studies. As with pesticides and drugs, safety
testing for GMOs is done by the companies that produce them, raising concern about ethics and
conflict of interest.

Unintended health impacts from GMOs can include:

       Allergens. Because the addition of new genetic material changes protein
        sequences, the GMO could produce known or unknown allergens—especially in
        children.
       Nutritional deficiency. Altered DNA could decrease levels of important nutrients
        in the GE crop.
       Increased toxins. Genetic engineering could inadvertently increase naturally
        occurring plant toxins—or introduce a new toxic strain created by the marriage of
        genes.
       Antibiotic resistance. An antibiotic resistant gene inserted into most GM crops
        may pose the most serious health hazard, since there is the possibility that these
        genes might transfer to pathogenic bacteria in our bodies and create new,
        antibiotic-resistant super-diseases.

What is food irradiation?
Given consumer concern about food safety and the growth of food-borne illness, nearly 40
countries have approved food irradiation, a process in which foods are exposed to a controlled
amount of "ionizing radiation" in order to kill harmful bacteria such as E. coli and Salmonella. The
process can also control insects and parasites, reduce spoilage, and inhibit ripening and
sprouting. It does not make food radioactive.

The FDA says, "The (irradiation) process may cause a small loss of nutrients but no more so than
with other processing methods such as cooking, canning, or heat pasteurization."

However, the EPA recognizes that all forms of ionizing radiation, including the cobalt-60 and
cesium-137 used in food irradiation, are known carcinogens. Irradiation plant workers suffer the
highest risk, but consumers are also in jeopardy.

A Washington-based watchdog group, The Center for Food Safety, says the FDA has ignored
growing evidence that a new class of chemicals, formed when food is irradiated, could be
harmful. The new chemicals, a class of cyclobutanones, were found to cause genetic and cellular
damage in human and rat cells.
You may be unwittingly eating irradiated foods containing cyclobutanones. Though most
irradiated food sold in stores must be labeled, there is no such requirement for restaurants,
schools, hospitals, nursing homes and other institutional settings.

What do I need to know about mercury and other toxics in
seafood?
Mercury is a highly toxic heavy metal that poses a major public health threat. Because mercury
can interfere with development, pregnant women and children are most at risk. Due to the high
methylmercury levels that the following species contain, the USDA warns women who are
pregnant, women who might become pregnant, and children, to avoid eating:

       swordfish,
       shark,
       tilefish,
       king mackerel,
       and to reduce their intake of tuna.

Mercury is not the only culprit to consider, however. More than 70 percent of the world's fish
resources have been overfished, depleted, or mismanaged in ecologically destructive ways.

By becoming an informed seafood consumer, you help your health and support seafood
sustainability. When you're seafood shopping, ask where the catch of the day was caught. For
example, wild, Alaskan and California salmon are all classed as "good fish": plentiful, sensibly
managed, with minimal pollutants. Atlantic salmon, by contrast, is "bad"—not because of mercury
levels, but because methods of capture damage habitats and kill other wildlife.

Take the following seafood guide along when shopping, so you can tell at a glance whether the
fish you're contemplating buying is good for you and for the environment:

The California Academy of Sciences provides a mercury calculator and clip-and-carry seafood
guide that lists good fish, iffy fish, and bad fish and is a handy reference to use while shopping.

What are the advantages of organic produce?
In addition to eliminating the potential health and environmental hazards posed by pesticides,
GMOs, irradiation and additives, organically grown produce actually confers health benefits,
according to new research. Organic foods are better for the body and the environment because
they:

       Have more nutritional value. Organic foods contain higher levels of vitamin C,
        calcium, magnesium, iron.
       Contain more antioxidants. Food scientists at the University of California,
        Davis, found that organically grown fruits and vegetables show significantly
        higher levels of cancer-fighting antioxidants than conventionally grown foods.
        Pesticides and herbicides reduce the production of phenolics—chemicals that act
        as a plant's natural defense and are also good for human health. Organic
        fertilizers, however, appear to boost the levels of these anti-cancer compounds.
       Promote biodiversity. According to a study called The Biodiversity Benefits of
        Organic Farming, "organic farms had five times as many wild plants and 57%
        more species." The organic farms also had more birds, spiders, and non-pest
        butterflies than non-organic farms.
       Protect the next generation. As explained above, the effects of pesticides and
        other harmful additives to children are especially acute. Most children today are
        born with pesticide build-up in their bodies. Feeding your children organic foods
        and teaching them about the health benefits of organics will promote their good
        health and well being as well as that of generations to come.

I'd like to buy organic, but it's hard to find where I live. What can
I do?
In some areas buying organic produce may require a little ingenuity. However, there are
numerous resources available. Consider the following ideas:

       Ask your local grocery store manager to carry more organic produce.

       Look into joining a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) farm, in which
        individuals and families join up to purchase "shares" of produce in bulk, directly
        from local farms (see References and resources).
       Find out whether there is a natural foods co-op, also called a cooperative grocery
        store, in your area (see References and resources) Co-ops typically offer lower
        prices to members, who pay an annual fee to belong. However, you do not need to
        be a member to shop at a food co-op.
       Start a buying club. A buying club is typically comprised of at least seven
        families who pool their money and order food in bulk from a cooperative
        distributor. Buying clubs operate very similarly to CSAs, except that the former
        purchases food through a distributor rather than directly from the grower.
       Shop the Farmers' Markets. Many cities as well as small towns host a weekly
        Farmers' Market, where local farmers bring their wares to an open-air street
        market and sell fresh produce direct to you, often for less than you'd pay in the
        grocery store or supermarket. Bonus: it's a great opportunity to socialize and get
        to know like-minded people in your neighborhood who might want to join a CSA
        or start a buying club with you.

How can I eat healthfully on a budget?
CSAs, co-ops, Farmers' Markets and buying clubs are all great ways to save money on organic
food. In addition, you can:

       buy non-perishable foods (packaged soups and non-dairy beverages, whole
        grains, beans, nut butters, etc.) in bulk and store them in your freezer or pantry;
       shop at discount stores for non-perishable items (e.g., Price Club, Costco, Sam's
        Club);
       buy the store brand, which is often less expensive than the name brand for the
        same quality;
       clip coupons for healthy foods you like and would buy anyway;
       make a big pot of soup at the beginning of the week or whenever you go food
        shopping. When you don't feel like cooking, help yourself to a hearty bowlful
        along with a green salad. This makes a nutritious lunch or dinner anytime.

Part I of this series is filled with practical tips and suggestions to help you enjoy your
meals and be healthy. Part II is filled with guides to manage your weight and help
control, prevent, and heal from heart disease /stroke, cancer, diabetes and
osteoporosis. See Series contents below.

References and resources for food safety and affordability
Organic food / pesticides

PANNA: CDC study shows that most people in the U.S., including children, carry multiple
pesticides in their bodies – Results of the third national CDC report measuring the impact of toxic
chemicals in our bodies. (Pesticide Action Network North America)

Pesticides (PDF) – Informative summary of pesticide formulations, modes of action, soil retention,
and toxicity to humans. (USDA)

EPA/How Pesticides Work (AU) – Clear explanation of what pesticides are, how and when they
are used, and they effects they have on insects. (Department of Environment and Conservation,
NSW/Australia)

Organic Materials Review Institute, Consumers Union landmark study – Press release on the first
detailed analysis of pesticide residue data for produce grown organically and conventionally.
(OMRI)

"Legal" Does Not Equal "Safe" (PDF) – The distinction between what the US EPA has
established as the legal limit for pesticide residues in foods, and the real human health risks
posed by these tolerance levels. (Ecologic-ipm.com)

IFST Information Statement: Organic Food (UK) – In-depth explanation of organic food market
and legislation, and product quality and safety. (IFST)

Why "Organic" Certification Does Not Protect Consumers – A retired psychiatrist argues that
pesticide residues in foods pose a negligible health concern and organic standards are overrated.
(Quackwatch.org)

Genetically modified organisms (GMOs)

A Different Perspective on GM Food – A Salk Institute cell biologist weighs in on the potential
health dangers of genetically modified organisms (GMOs). (Biotech-info.net)

Genetically Engineered Foods Pose Health Risk for Children (PDF) – What's in that innocent-
looking soy milk your child's drinking? Maybe some GMOs, which can cause health problems.
(Saynotogmos.org)
Food irradiation

Food Irradiation – A Safe Measure – Why and how foods are being irradiated, and their
availability to consumers. (FDA)

The Dangers of Food Irradiation Facilities Worldwide (PDF) – Irradiating may protect foods and
prolong shelf life, but the irradiation process itself can cause cancer. (Citizen.org)

Safe seafood

Mercury Contamination of Seafood – Important information on mercury levels in fish and other
seafood, including a calculator that helps you determine the safety level for your weight, amount
and type of seafood consumption. (California Academy of Sciences – Aquatic Biology)

Buying Guide: Becoming A Smart Seafood Shopper – How to make the healthiest, safest seafood
selections based on such factors as type of fish, its source and toxicity content. (Oceans Alive)

Affordable healthy foods

AREC Spotlight – Fresh Produce – How changes in the produce industry make it easier than ever
before to fix affordable, healthy meals. (University of Arizona)

Prices Report (UK) (PDF) – A senior economist compares organic food prices among
supermarkets and direct sellers. (Wholesome Food Association)

Growing Older, Eating Better – Offers information and suggests solutions for eating well on a
budget and when cooking for one. (New York State Office for the Aging)

Other resources that we used when writing this article

Organically grown foods: Evaluate your options – Is organic preferable to conventional produce?
Explains the distinction and how consumers can make the most informed choices. (Mayo Clinic)

JAMA Study of Pesticide Risks in Schools – The level of pesticides and other chemicals affecting
our children—and the resultant long-term damage they can cause—is alarming. (Pesticide Action
Network North America)

PBS: Trade Secrets: Chemical Body Burden – Bill Moyers' blood and urine samples revealed
traces of 84 toxic chemicals—some banned for more than 25 years. (PBS)

Shopper's Guide to Pesticides in Produce (PDF) – Helpful chart ranking the 12 fruits and
vegetables that are highest and lowest in pesticide residue, including a downloadable wallet-size
shopping guide. (Foodnews.org)

GMOs: Looking At Both Sides of the Controversy – What are GMOs, why are they used, and
what are the intended impacts on the environment, health and markets? (University of Illinois)

FDA Ignoring Evidence That New Chemicals Created In Irradiated Food Could Be Harmful –
Press release from a government watchdog group says irradiation has been shown to cause
genetic damage in animals. (The Center for Food Safety)
Seafood Guide (PDF) – How to select the best seafood based on mercury content and
environmental sustainability. (California Academy of Sciences)

Report confirms more health benefits of organic food – Research data showing that organically
grown foods contain higher levels of cancer-fighting antioxidants. (Organic Consumers
Association)

Community Supported Agriculture Farms Database – A searchable database of CSA farms by
state. (Alternative Farming Systems Information Center/USDA)

Coop Directory Service: Find A Natural Food Coop Near You – Searchable database of food
cooperative distributors and information on how to start a buying club. (Coop Directory)

Protecting the Next Generation (commercial site) – Includes information on the benefits of organic
food for children and the danger of pesticide use. Site also includes other sections on the
biodiversity and nutrition benefits of organic farming. (Organic Trade Association)

FAQ on Organic Foods – Common questions and answers about organic farming and the
nutrition and safety benefits of organic food. (Nutrition Australia)

What are the health benefits of eating the world’s healthiest foods? – Discussion about the health
benefits of eating a variety of whole, fresh foods in your diet. (World’s Healthiest Foods, George
Mateljan Foundation)




ORGANIC FOODS STORE LOCATORS:
Georgia
Alpharetta
Harry's Farmers Market
1180 Upper Hembree Rd.
Roswell, GA 30076
770.664.6300
678.566.1427 fax
Store hours: 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday-Saturday, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday.
75,375 sq. ft.
more store info

Atlanta (Buckhead)
Whole Foods Market
77 West Paces Ferry Rd NW
Atlanta, Georgia 30305
404.324.4100
404.324.4110 fax
Store hours: 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday-Saturday, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday.
53,017 sq. ft.
more store info

Atlanta
Whole Foods Market
2111 Briarcliff Rd
Atlanta, GA 30329
404.634.7800
404.634.0229 fax
Store hours: 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday-Saturday, 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday.
27,800 sq. ft.
more store info

Atlanta (Sandy Springs)
Whole Foods Market
5930 Roswell Road
Atlanta, GA 30328
404.236.0810
404.236.0339 fax
Store hours: 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday-Saturday and 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday.
Store features a Jamba Juice Bar and Allegro Coffee Bar.
39,000 sq. ft.
more store info

Atlanta
Whole Foods Market
650 Ponce de Leon Ave NE
Atlanta, GA 30308-1833
404.853.1681
404.853.1632 fax
Store hours: 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday–Saturday and 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday
40,000 sq. ft.
more store info
Duluth
Whole Foods Market
5945 State Bridge Road
Duluth, GA 30097
678-514-2400
678-514-2410 fax
Store hours: 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday–Saturday and 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday
79,901 sq. ft.
More store info

Marietta
Harry's Farmers Market
70 Powers Ferry Rd. S.E.
Marietta, GA 30067
770.578.4400
770.509.8707 fax
Store hours: 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday-Saturday; 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday.
77,185 sq. ft.
more store info




Store                            Miles
Lovejoy Station (Store #00545)   5 NW



11155 Tara Blvd
Hampton, GA 30228-1672
Main: (770) 473-4779
Pharmacy: (770) 473-6886


Map Driving Directions


Store                                      Miles
The Shops at Westridge (Store #01054)      5E



2158 Highway 20 W
McDonough, GA 30253-7205
Main: (770) 898-6650
Fax: (770) 898-6932
Pharmacy: (770) 898-6731


Map Driving Directions


Store                                      Miles
The Shops At Locust Grove (Store #01052)   6E



2730 Highway 155
Locust Grove, GA 30248-2401
Main: (770) 288-4180
Fax: (770) 288-4192
Pharmacy: (770) 288-4186


Map Driving Directions


Store                                      Miles
McDonough West (Store #00771)                 8 NE



250 Jonesboro Rd
McDonough, GA 30253-3720
Main: (770) 898-6797
Fax: (770) 898-6721
Pharmacy: (770) 898-6689


Map Driving Directions


Store                                        Miles
Eagles Landing (Store #00547)                9 NE



909 Eagles Landing Pkwy Ste 300
Stockbridge, GA 30281-6398
Main: (770) 389-6130
Fax: (770) 389-6140
Pharmacy: (770) 389-6136


Map Driving Directions


Store                                          Miles
Paradise Pointe at Lake Dow (Store #00816)     10 E



920 Highway 81 E
McDonough, GA 30252-2978
Main: (770) 898-1213
Fax: (770) 914-2459
Pharmacy: (770) 898-3593


Map Driving Directions


Store                                        Miles
Summit Point (Store #01087)                  10 W



840 Glynn St S
Fayetteville, GA 30214-2004
Main: (678) 817-5415
Fax: (678) 817-5424
Pharmacy: (678) 817-5420


Map Driving Directions


Store                                        Miles
Fayette Pavilion (Store #00579)              11 NW



108 Pavilion Pkwy
Fayetteville, GA 30214-4056
Main: (770) 460-4100
Fax: (770) 460-4110
Pharmacy: (770) 460-4106


Map Driving Directions


Store                                         Miles
Stockbridge Lakes (Store #00092)              12 N
250 E Atlanta Rd
Stockbridge, GA 30281-3414
Main: (770) 389-4666
Fax: (770) 389-4349
Pharmacy: (770) 474-1822


Map Driving Directions


Store                               Miles
Publix at Mt. Zion (Store #00461)   12 N

2035 Mount Zion Rd
Morrow, GA 30260-3313
Main: (770) 472-4000
Fax: (770) 472-4009
Pharmacy: (770) 472-4006



Map Driving Directions