The Organic vs. Conventional Food Debate: What You Need to Know

Organic food has become increasingly popular in recent years, with many people believing it is healthier and better for the environment than conventionally grown food. But is buying organic really worth the extra cost? In our most recent podcast episode we explore the key differences, pros, cons, and myths around organic and conventional produce.

Organic produce is grown without the use of synthetic pesticides, fertilizers, genetically modified organisms (GMOs), irradiation, or sewage sludge. The lack of pesticides is often seen as a major benefit, but often overlooks the fact that organic produce still uses pesticides; they’re just natural versions. Critics often argue that natural pesticides are actually less studied than synthetic pesticides and, thus, may carry their own risks. In both cases, pesticide levels are well below toxicity limits and are a classic example of how “the dose makes the poison.”

When looking at the environmental impact of each type of produce, it's commonly believed that organic farming is more sustainable. When looking at all of the factors that go into organic and conventional farming, picking a clear winner in the “more environmentally conscious” department gets far more convoluted. More land is required to grow organic crops, though less energy is used to do so. The increasing demand for organic products is resulting in a larger environmental footprint as goods are being exported farther and farther from where they are grown. This demand has led to higher incidence of fraud in organic labeling, as regulators have a harder time keeping up with enforcing organic standards. It’s not all negative news, however. Organic meat does come with higher animal welfare standards and lower emissions from said farms.

It's important to note that the organic label primarily focuses on the production methods rather than the nutritional composition of the food - something we often overlook by thinking organic foods are just about nutrient profile. While organic food is often perceived as healthier, evidence supporting significant nutritional differences is pretty limited.

The overall consensus is that there isn't a significant difference in the nutritional content between organic and conventional produce. The nutritional composition of any food is influenced by various factors, such as soil quality, ripeness when harvested, and storage conditions, so claiming that organic foods are inherently more nutritious isn't scientifically supported.

This doesn’t mean there are no differences. Organic produce has been found to have higher levels of certain nutrients, and flavonoids. Organic meats, dairy, and eggs from animals raised according to organic guidelines may contain higher levels of omega-3 fatty acids. They may also contain higher levels of antioxidants and certain micronutrients like vitamin C, zinc, iron, vitamin E, and some carotenoids.

So, what do we know? Fruit and vegetable intake is good for us. Period.

There's a lot of fear mongering about "toxic" substances in non-organic food, but completely avoiding conventional produce due to pesticide fears can do more harm than good. While we don't fully understand the long-term impacts of pesticide exposure, we do know that increasing our intake of fruits and veggies has far more beneficial impacts than avoiding consumption of produce for fear of pesticides.

Organic food costs significantly more, with prices sometimes doubling those of conventional foods. Organic foods are often inaccessible for many low-income consumers, and can play a role in worsening food inequality. 

Considering organic foods morally superior is an oversimplification. Conventional farming has enabled more plentiful, affordable food that carries far more benefits than harm and is often the best choice for the majority of consumers. 

One of the best things we can do as individuals is to become more educated about the foods we buy and eat so that we can make decisions for ourselves, rather than relying on what an IG post or fearmongering Tik Tok video tells us.

Purchasing organic can feel like a noble quest, but is it effective? Listen to the podcast for more details!