Is Organic a Waste?
Organic Logic
Pesticides used to control insects, fungus, and weeds have health risks. They have been linked to certain cancers and other diseases. Some research suggests that people who eat organic foods have lower levels of pesticides in their bodies.
On the bright side, pesticide spray that is left on foods has been reduced. In some cases, fruits have only 1/100th of the pesticides they had 20 years ago. This is especially true for fruits and vegetables grown in Canada and the U.S. Produce from other countries tends to have a higher level.
Organic Best Buys
Organic produce costs more, but you can save if you buy whole fruits and vegetables and process them yourself. Whole organics can be cheaper than processed or packaged foods. Also, frozen foods can be organic and costs less than fresh foods.
Not all produce has the same pesticide risk. The foods listed below have the biggest payoff for buying organic. Start with these if you want to buy organic:
Vegetables
Fruits
Green Beans
Peaches/Nectarines
Peppers (sweet and hot)
Strawberries
Sweet Potatoes
Cranberries
Carrots
Mandarin Oranges
Organic Sense
Foods that bear the “Canada Organic” label must follow the organic laws. To get the label, the production process must be inspected. In Canada, all products labeled “organic” are considered certified organic. Organic methods consider not only the food item itself, but also the health of the soil, animals, and the environment.
Wash, Don’t Rinse
All produce should be washed before eating. Wash it, don’t just run it under the tap for a second. If the fruit or vegetable is firm, use a brush to scrub it lightly. This is true for organic produce, as well. Vegetables washed in this way don’t need to be peeled. Peels are usually very nutritious. For leafy veggies, discard the outer leaves — they have the most contamination.
Don’t worry too much. We are blessed with a safe food supply in Canada and the US. But if you have the extra cents, it makes sense to eat organic.
