901. Posted by Clint P on Mon, Jul 23, 2007, 2:04 pm PDT

Oh, pesticides do not go into the food they are on the food...

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902. Posted by mclemmer_99 on Mon, Jul 23, 2007, 2:05 pm PDT

To the poster who said that his professor called organic foods "hippie bull****:" I'm sorry to hear that your professor was unprofessional enough to use such emotionally charged language. I would have trouble taking him or her seriously for that reason. We should all keep in mind also that whenever we look at research articles on any topic we need to look at who funded the research. If a research study was funded by a large agricultural company then there is a chance of bias; one should also look to see whether or not articles are being published in a reputable peer reviewed journal. Organic milk sold at places like Whole Foods is pasteurized so the risk of acquiring listeria is the same as other pasteurized milks. Those who wish to purchase raw milk must either milk the cow themselves or purchase from specially licensed sellers of the product. And yes, I have heard of people becoming ill from pesticide use. Many of our Vietnam Veterans were exposed to the pesticide Agent Orange, which was declared "safe" by the government they served. The ill effects suffered by these Vets and their families is well documented, and one should keep in mind the effects did not appear until years later. Keep in mind also that food borne illnesses are caused by bacteria that stems from problems with the growing location or poor food handling practices, not from pesticides. Those who talk about pesticide use making a difference with prevention of food borne illnesses are confusing the issue; the use of pesticides is a long term health issue. Problems with food safety in terms of food borne illnesses are related the conditions in which veg/animals are grown/bred for food, the safety practices of the food handlers, the safety practices of the packaging/processing plants, and the safety practices of the food purchasers kitchen. Thanks for the article; anything that gets us thinking about the safety of our food supply helps.

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903. Posted by gaveezmom on Tue, Jul 24, 2007, 1:30 pm PDT

You can definitely tell the difference in taste between the organic fruits and vegetables verses ones that are not. A good example is a cucumber, organic ones I can eat the skin. Nonorganic cucumbers are horrible, you cant even get that wax coating off when you wash it. Organic fruits and veggies dont last long, what does that tell you, that the nonorganic must be injected with something to give them a longer shelf life. That is another thing to think about. Shopping organic is more expensive; however worth the expense. My husband used to give me a hard time about my grocery bill every month, however now he understands the health benefits for our family.

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904. Posted by gaveezmom on Tue, Jul 24, 2007, 1:35 pm PDT

The taste is completely different with organic fruits and veggies. Take a cucumber for example, you can eat the skin without a waxy coating. My grocerey bill is higher shopping organic but worth the expense for the health of me and my family. Also, one last point the shelf life of non organic foods last longer, they must inject them with something to last longer.

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905. Posted by gaveezmom on Tue, Jul 24, 2007, 1:35 pm PDT

The taste is completely different with organic fruits and veggies. Take a cucumber for example, you can eat the skin without a waxy coating. My grocerey bill is higher shopping organic but worth the expense for the health of me and my family. Also, one last point the shelf life of non organic foods last longer, they must inject them with something to last longer.

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906. Posted by N.S. on Tue, Jul 24, 2007, 9:05 pm PDT

I stopped worrying about eating organic food after I read the magnetic diet. It's a waste of money.

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907. Posted by kowboys on Tue, Jul 24, 2007, 11:44 pm PDT

Pesticides reside on the foods, not within the food itself. Proper washing and cleaning removes almost all of this residue. No need to pay these rediculous prices for buying "organic", and lots of the "supposed to be" organic is in fact not. So save those dollars for other items you might need.

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908. Posted by bahram387s on Wed, Jul 25, 2007, 5:08 am PDT

Please write more about organic and nonorganic foods, ans its advantage and disadvantage of each .

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909. Posted by Spaz Monster 0_o on Wed, Jul 25, 2007, 8:08 am PDT

2. Demand it at your local store. Ask your local grocer to get in products you want -- be specific and follow up. I used to work at a grocery store and when people would request special products to be stocked, management would laugh at the idea. Good luck with that one people.

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910. Posted by wigwill@sbcglobal.net on Thu, Jul 26, 2007, 3:21 pm PDT

the size of the print font renders the article useless ww

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911. Posted by faith s on Fri, Jul 27, 2007, 7:27 pm PDT

I think of organic versus "conventionaly" grown food like walking on the sidewalk or walking in the street. You may still get run over on the sidewalk but it is far less likely. I want to put as high a quality of food as I can get into my body and my families bodies, I am really not concerned about it being a magic bullet, just a wiser option. At least organic growers are trying to make their product closer to the way it would grow naturally.

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912. Posted by joaniechicago on Fri, Jul 27, 2007, 8:24 pm PDT

IN general a good article, but I'd add that even though it is likely true that some of the "safe" produce mentioned presents less of a hazard to the consumer if it is not organic, it may still be hazardous for agricultural workers who must handle sprays, etc., and also adds to soil and water pollution from the runoff. For this reason I try to buy ALL produce organic whenever I can.

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913. Posted by ANDE on Sat, Jul 28, 2007, 6:34 pm PDT

My Husband has Lymphoma, which has said to be cause from pesticides, Funny this thing is he has worked in the produce line for 40 years. So I Say grow your own or my organic.

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914. Posted by sabrina l on Sun, Jul 29, 2007, 8:24 am PDT

Below I pasted part of article.... It was a bit confusing... MUST WHAT? ORGANIC? Isn't that the point of organic foods, to not be exposed unnecessarily to TOXINS.... we are what we eat... so why be toxic... MUSTS: Apples, cherries, grapes (especially if they're imported), nectarines, peaches, pears, raspberries, strawberries, bell peppers, celery, potatoes, and spinach. WHY? Because these fruits and veggies have been found to contain the most pesticide residue, even after being washed. If you want to go the extra mile, also buy your beef, poultry, and dairy organic. Organic meats and dairy are much more expensive than nonorganic, but they'll also reduce your exposure to toxins.

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915. Posted by Dawn B on Tue, Jul 31, 2007, 6:37 am PDT

Organic food is NOT more expensive because organic lands produce less. Organic lands actually produce MORE food than chemically soaked soils. Organic food is more expensive because the farms tend to be smaller and don't qualify for HUGE government subsidies and corporate discounts. Organic foods contain more necessary vitamins and nutrients and far, far less environmental poisons. Anyone who believes they aren't getting routinely poisoned by imported and domestic foods soaked in chemicals is in complete denial. You cannot live your whole life eating and absorbing a toxic cornucopia and NOT pay some pretty dire consequences. Cancer and disease is skyrocketing in this country.

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916. Posted by Dawn B on Tue, Jul 31, 2007, 6:52 am PDT

http://pubs.acs.org/cgi-bin/abstract.cgi/jafcau/2007/55/i15/abs/jf070344+.html Here is at least ONE proof that organic is better...

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917. Posted by venencia t on Tue, Jul 31, 2007, 9:40 am PDT

"For animals, organic means access to the outdoors, only organic feed for at least a year, and no antibiotics or growth hormones." "Organic meats and dairy are much more expensive than nonorganic, but they'll also reduce your exposure to toxins." The author didn't say anything about Mad Cow, just about the toxins in the meat as she mentioned such as growth hormones and antibiotics.

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918. Posted by mightysweetpea on Thu, Aug 09, 2007, 3:33 pm PDT

A couple comments. First on organic milk. I find it interesting that women who are breastfeeding are not to use oral contraceptives. Why? Because of the hormones. This is proof enough for me that hormones end up in the milk of lactating females( cow or human). The taste of organic is also superior. A blindfolded person could tell the difference. As far as pesticides go. A recent study showed that extremely harmful substances, including pesticides, are being found in babies bodies in the womb, where previously, the placenta was believed to filter most toxins out. I find it difficult to believe that, aside from the very annoying costs of organic, that any person would say that they don't mind ingesting bug spray. Still, I do agree that both organic and non should be washed. That should be obvious. It's your food.

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919. Posted by orangeguy75 on Fri, Aug 10, 2007, 3:46 pm PDT

While Maggie is correct that organic is grown without synthetic inputs, organic can be grown with pesticides, as long as those pesticides aren't synthetic. Many organic growers rely on Bacillus thuringiensis, a naturally occurring bacterium that kills caterpillars. As long as the interts are not synthetic, then Bt, as it is called, can be used on organic produce. Maggie--before you write about organic produce, you may want to get your facts straight. I hate it when journalists get it wrong in print.

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920. Posted by badapplejoe on Fri, Aug 10, 2007, 4:37 pm PDT

Where do I begin? The general public (and the author) have a great deal to learn about "organic", "food safety" and "saving the planet". Organic farming DOES NOT mean that no pesticides have been applied or that no pesticide residues will be found. It means that the pesticides that have been applied come from a specific list that has been approved for use on farms that wish to be certified organic. Food safety issues like the presence of E.coli 0157:H7 are significant in organic production because of the common use of animal waste material as fertilizer (either composted - which, theoretically, kills these pathogens- or uncomposted). Crops grown near the ground have significantly greater risk factors for biological contamination and limited options for removing these contaminants from the surface of the fruit or vegetable. To correct one on-going myth: The spinach recall was for spinach that was grown on an organic farm. Sorry folks, but although you may be entitled to your own opinions, you are not entitled to your own facts. Unfortunately, this article (and the follow-up comments) contained multiple misrepresentations of the facts. Maybe someday someone who has a clue could write an article worth publishing on the subject. The well intentioned, but misinformed population might learn something. There is no question that the organic and environmental zeolots don't have much use for any facts that run contrary to their belief system.

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921. Posted by dcooper1958 on Fri, Aug 10, 2007, 5:55 pm PDT

Can you supply any objective information to support your claim that non-organic fruit is less safe than the organic fruit you claim is a "must"? I ask anyone out there to document an death from eating fruit that is non-organic and the cause of death is from the pesticide residue. On the other hand, organic spinach killed severval people(I apologize for not knowing how many) last winter from e-coli contamination. How can anyone say organic is safer. The facts do not support that claim

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922. Posted by northcoastbarb on Sun, Sep 23, 2007, 2:58 pm PDT

I have had toxin poisoning so well buy local and ask what is with it Farmers Market and local stores that put in our produce from local farmers I do find produce sometimes cheaper at health food stores than markets. Have friends that give me produce from their lasnds and meats from their own cattle.

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923. Posted by Mike P on Fri, Oct 12, 2007, 8:21 pm PDT

Exactly, DebbieDay. Bacteria doesn't hurt you, our own skin contains large amounts of healthy bacteria and our digestive system too. In eating large amounts of meats containing antibiotics and toxins, our own bodies immune systems are fighting off healthy bacteria therefore contributing to autoimmune disorders where the immune system starts attacking our own organs. Alot of points have been made on organic vs. nonorganic. Pretty much, yes, if you are not on the higher end of the social scale, you cannot afford organic...For the upper class, yes, organic is the way to go. Bottom line, some forms of bacteria are healthy for your body, our bodies get diseases from eating large amounts of things that command our immune systems to fight against healthy things. We need to emphasize toxins are ten times as worse as bacteria. I used to live in a city where lots and lots of disinefectants and chemicals were used in the water for treatment, yes, they ridded the wells of bacteria and microorganisms, but contributed to autoimmune disorders, cancers, and skin problems from the overuse of "cleaning products". After moving to a city with less disinfectant use, I feel and look better. Obviously, there is more potential for bacteria and microorganisms to invade the drinking supply, but again, it's treated and the small amounts leftover serve as a means of your body's protection. AN EMPHASIS HERE IS THAT INCREASE IN DISINFECTANT USE AND THE NEED TO BE CLEAN HAS CONTRIBUTED TO UNHEALTHY BODIES! WE ARE TOO CLEAN IN SOCIETY, A DOCTOR TOLD ME, TAKING 1 SHOWER A WEEK IS ENOUGH, ALL YOU NEED OTHERWISE IS TO WASH SWEAT GLANDS LIKE ARMPITS, GROIN, AND JOINTED AREAS...EVERYTHING ELSE CAN GO UNLESS YOU WORK AROUND DIRTY OR SOILING SUBSTANCES...BOTTOM LINE, THE AVERAGE CITIZEN DOESNT NEED TO TAKE A SHOWER EVERY DAY AND SCRUB EVERY PART OF THE BODY, TAKE LESS FREQUENT SHOWERS AND JUST WASH YOUR FACE AND SWEATGLANDS ON A DAILY BASIS. ORGANIC VS INORGANIC IS A 2 SIDED CONTROVERSY! THE UPPER CLASS, GO FOR ORGANIC. THE LOWER AND MIDDLE CLASS (WORKERS) GO FOR WHATS IN YOUR BUDGET, SOMETIMES FINANCIAL CREDIBILITY OUTNUMBERS THE NEED FOR HEALTHIER FOOD. WE CANT GO BROKE BECAUSE WE WANT TO BE HEALTHIER, WE HAVE TO PRIORITIZE OUR LISTS AND USE THAT AS A LEARNING GUIDE! ANY SUGGESTIONS, I CAN BE REACHED AT Mikepatt90moe23 on yahoo messenger! THANKS!

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924. Posted by Mike P on Fri, Oct 12, 2007, 8:22 pm PDT

Exactly, DebbieDay. Bacteria doesn't hurt you, our own skin contains large amounts of healthy bacteria and our digestive system too. In eating large amounts of meats containing antibiotics and toxins, our own bodies immune systems are fighting off healthy bacteria therefore contributing to autoimmune disorders where the immune system starts attacking our own organs. Alot of points have been made on organic vs. nonorganic. Pretty much, yes, if you are not on the higher end of the social scale, you cannot afford organic...For the upper class, yes, organic is the way to go. Bottom line, some forms of bacteria are healthy for your body, our bodies get diseases from eating large amounts of things that command our immune systems to fight against healthy things. We need to emphasize toxins are ten times as worse as bacteria. I used to live in a city where lots and lots of disinefectants and chemicals were used in the water for treatment, yes, they ridded the wells of bacteria and microorganisms, but contributed to autoimmune disorders, cancers, and skin problems from the overuse of "cleaning products". After moving to a city with less disinfectant use, I feel and look better. Obviously, there is more potential for bacteria and microorganisms to invade the drinking supply, but again, it's treated and the small amounts leftover serve as a means of your body's protection. AN EMPHASIS HERE IS THAT INCREASE IN DISINFECTANT USE AND THE NEED TO BE CLEAN HAS CONTRIBUTED TO UNHEALTHY BODIES! WE ARE TOO CLEAN IN SOCIETY, A DOCTOR TOLD ME, TAKING 1 SHOWER A WEEK IS ENOUGH, ALL YOU NEED OTHERWISE IS TO WASH SWEAT GLANDS LIKE ARMPITS, GROIN, AND JOINTED AREAS...EVERYTHING ELSE CAN GO UNLESS YOU WORK AROUND DIRTY OR SOILING SUBSTANCES...BOTTOM LINE, THE AVERAGE CITIZEN DOESNT NEED TO TAKE A SHOWER EVERY DAY AND SCRUB EVERY PART OF THE BODY, TAKE LESS FREQUENT SHOWERS AND JUST WASH YOUR FACE AND SWEATGLANDS ON A DAILY BASIS. ORGANIC VS INORGANIC IS A 2 SIDED CONTROVERSY! THE UPPER CLASS, GO FOR ORGANIC. THE LOWER AND MIDDLE CLASS (WORKERS) GO FOR WHATS IN YOUR BUDGET, SOMETIMES FINANCIAL CREDIBILITY OUTNUMBERS THE NEED FOR HEALTHIER FOOD. WE CANT GO BROKE BECAUSE WE WANT TO BE HEALTHIER, WE HAVE TO PRIORITIZE OUR LISTS AND USE THAT AS A LEARNING GUIDE! ANY SUGGESTIONS, I CAN BE REACHED AT Mikepatt90moe23 on yahoo messenger! THANKS!

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925. Posted by anna on Fri, Mar 14, 2008, 6:11 pm PDT

We don't need to worry about getting organic bananas? How about poor workers who have to handle pesticides without proper equipment?... Also: go vegan so you dont worry about which animals may see the sun, and which never will.

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926. Posted by myrry_xmas on Fri, Mar 14, 2008, 6:43 pm PDT

luchismtz, pesticides kill pests, not bacteria... meaning the bugs making a meal out of your dinner before you get it. pesticides are primarily neurotoxins.... so if the idea of ingesting nerve gas appeals to you, bon apetit! for the record, bacteria are dealt with through the use of antibiotics... any doctor will tell you, the way livestock are constantly being dosed with them, the breeding of "superbugs" that nothing will kill (see also drug resistant strains of gonnorhea and syphilis) is inevitable. basically... the less petrochemicals you ingest, the better off you will be in the long run.

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927. Posted by ananda1960 on Sun, Jun 01, 2008, 10:14 am PDT

Maggie I am from India and here the word organic means a bit different.The mountain farming system, as typical in Garhwal, comprises forest, cropland, livestock and household as the four components (or subsystems) in organic linkages with each other. No input from outside the system is required. This traditional system is closed, self contained and self reliant. Forest biomass flows into cropland (cultivated land) in the form of organic manure via livestock and human beings. Thas organic, organic living. Just by not adding pesticides doesn't make food any organic.

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928. Posted by Taliesin on Sun, Aug 17, 2008, 9:40 am PDT

Organic = tax for the stupidly paranoid. Make sure all of your produce if harvested on a full moon and that it was prayed over with crystals and incense. Then do twelve liver flushes and an enema and you won't get sick. Promise.

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929. Posted by jcmr on Sun, Aug 17, 2008, 2:09 pm PDT

i'm sorry, i don't see your point on not buying organic with certain fruits and vegetables.. pesticides is only part of the issue. what about genetic modifications? personally, i'd rather eat a banana and not a fda approved and patented "banana".. sure, there is no direct evidence on this practice reeking havoc in our bodies, but the fda says that about every product, supplement, additive, drug, etc until a few years later, then...oops, everyone has cancer, heart disease, diabetes, and the list goes on. wake up, already, Americans.

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