Is Buying Organic Really Beneficial, Or Just A Money Grab?

Organic food can often cost 60% more than conventional alternatives. But is it actually healthier and worth the cost?

It’s not uncommon nowadays to be bombarded with “organic” labels on food and produce as soon as one enters a supermarket, marketed as the superior healthier option.

And according to the 2019 Australian Organic Market Report, Australia’s organic industry is worth AUD $2.6 billion, a number that continues to rise every year. Globally, the organic industry is estimated at USD $97 billion dollars.

But what stops a lot of people from making the switch is the associated price tag. With reports suggesting organic food is often 60 per cent more expensive than conventional produce, is it worth the splurge?

Further, 49 per cent of shoppers listed personal health as the primary reason for choosing to purchase organic products, but is it actually healthier?

Bondi Beauty investigates.

Do organic fruit and vegetables contain less chemicals?

It’s a commonly held belief that organic produce contains less chemicals than their conventional counterparts.

In order to be classified as “organic”, produce and crops must be free from any synthetic pesticides or chemicals.

Organic food
To be certified organic, produce must not be contaminated with pesticides or chemicals.

Yet it’s also beneficial to realise that Food Standards Australia and New Zealand (FSANZ), which regulates the marketing and production of all food products, has strict maximum residue limits.

This provides a legal limit as to the amount of chemical or pesticide residues in all food products. Further, the level is well below the maximum that could cause health and safety risks.

So, while organic food may be labelled as completely chemical free, regular fresh produce is also monitored to ensure that pesticide limits are well below the maximum levels that could pose a health risk.

Is organic better for the environment?

Organic farmers are not allowed to use phosphorous fertiliser or water-soluble nitrogen, which is manufactured by using fossil fuels.

Organic farming
Organic farming reduces the use of fossil fuels. Photo credit: National Geographic

According to organic farming expert Professor Carlo Leifert from Southern Cross University, using these has negative environmental impacts, such as releasing carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. As such, organic produce can be seen as limiting these negative impacts, through the use of renewable energy.

In addition, other benefits of organic farming are said to include greater biodiversity, better soil health and soil fertility, as well as long-term sustainability, says the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations

Why does organic food cost so much more?

If organic food is said to be better for one’s health, it can be frustrating when the price tag is significantly more.

A 2016 report conducted by the Department of Agriculture revealed that fresh organic products, such as milk, eggs and green vegetables, can cost 60 per cent more than non-organic alternatives.

Usually, this price increase is because the labour-process is more intensive and must be separated from non-organic processes. Additionally, according to organic.org, it takes three years for a farmer to convert their land to organic status, which involves increasing the fertility of the land. For the first two years, any crops produced cannot be labelled as organic.

As a result, organic farms are usually smaller than conventional farms that can mass-produce products, meaning the price increases to cover the excess costs.

So, is organic actually healthier and worth the cost?

Consuming fewer synthetic chemicals and pesticides is obviously beneficial for the body, according to Professor of health services at RMIT, Marc Cohen, who says its “common-sense” that “eating less poison is good for you.”

However, to date there has been no scientific proof or studies completed that concretely says organic food is healthier or more nutritionally dense than non-organic food.

Organic food
While organic is better for the environment, there has been little evidence its healthier.

And while some studies have claimed organic produce has higher levels of antioxidants, vitamin C and certain minerals, WebMD highlights that the difference is so small, it’s likely to have little impact on overall health in the long term.

So, while there is little proof that organic food has a higher nutritional value, the practices used in organic farming can be seen as better for the environment. Whether this warrants the price tag has to be an individual choice.

Zoe Bradbury

Zoe is a self-confessed health and fitness fanatic. She loves working out and being active, almost as much as she loves going out for brunch and eating avo toast. If she’s not in the gym, you’ll usually find her online shopping, buying something she definitely does not need, or updating her Pinterest board with travel and adventure ideas for the future. Her other loves include dark chocolate, coffee and cats, all enjoyed while watching bad (or really good?) reality TV

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