warning Hi, we've moved to USCANNENBERGMEDIA.COM. Visit us there!

Neon Tommy - Annenberg digital news

The Aftermath Of Stanford's Organic Food Gamechanger

Anita Dukart |
October 30, 2012 | 11:55 a.m. PDT

Contributing Writer

Organic produce. (Anita Dukart)
Organic produce. (Anita Dukart)
More than three-quarters of the population still chooses to purchase organic food, despite a recent study published by the Stanford School of Medicine that says that organic food may not be more nutritious. 

Stanford did conclude that organic food has lower levels of pesticides, and that meat has fewer bacteria.

The study added that pesticide levels in non-organic produce were almost always below government-regulated levels, and all bacteria are killed during cooking. 

For many people, buying organic is about avoiding chemical contamination. 

“I buy organic food because of chemical concerns—I didn’t even know about it supposedly being more nutritious. That’s not what it’s about,” said Amanda Schubert, a student at the University of Southern California.

USDA defines organic food using three terms. The 100% organic label can only be placed on food that is made entirely with organic ingredients, “meaning no antibiotics, hormones, genetic engineering, radiation or synthetic pesticides or fertilizers can be used,” according to The Daily Green. 

An “organic” label means that ingredients are 95% organic. 

“Made with organic ingredients” means that the product is at least 70% organic. These products may only display the certifier’s logo, but not the USDA organic logo.

Consumer Reports recommends that their readers purchase organic food. 

"Fewer pesticides and antibiotics, 100% organic animal feed (which cannot have poultry litter and other animal byproducts), hygiene management on the farm: These are all healthier practices for the environment and in some cases, humans too,” Consumer Reports said. 

In local stores, organic stock varies.

Billy Brink, the store manager at Ralphs in South Central Los Angeles, said, “Organic produce is really starting to grow. It depends on the store. In some places, it’s trending.” 

Brink said that the location of other organic specialty stores, like Whole Foods or Trader Joe's, also affects the amount of organic stock that Ralphs carries. When there is competition and demand for organic products, Ralphs keeps more organic products in stock. 

4 in 10 families say that they are buying more organic products than they were a year ago, according to the Organic Trade Association.

Manvel Gyulog, who manages Superior Grocers near the University of Southern California, said that he feels like there is a lot of demand for organic products in the community. 

“I try to include all kinds of specialty foods, including organic, in my store,” he said. 

He estimates that up to 35% of his revenue comes from organic products. 

At the Fresh & Easy near USC, however, organic products are not requested as much.

“We have a lot more demand for ready prepared meals, and our own brand,” said Gio Luna, the store manager.

He added that some of their in-house brand is organic, and it is clearly labeled. The brand accounts for about 85% of the products that they carry in-store. 

Prices at Ralphs. (Anita Dukart)
Prices at Ralphs. (Anita Dukart)
“Little by little, we integrate more organic products into our store,” he said.

According to a Consumer Reports authorized survey, 58% of people are extremely, very, or somewhat concerned about the contamination of organic products by genetically modified organisms. 

GMOs are “plants that have been modified in the laboratory to enhance desired traits such as increased resistance to herbicides or improved nutritional content,” said Deborah Whitman in her article, “Genetically Modified Foods: Harmful or Helpful?”

Whitman said that while GMOs are resistant to pests, disease, droughts, and are sometimes are more nutritious, it’s possible that they also cause life-threatening food allergies in humans, and harm other organisms without intention. 

“There is a possibility that introducing a gene into a plant may create a new allergen or cause an allergic reaction in in susceptible individuals,” said Whitman.

That’s one reason why GMOs are controversial.

Eating organic food also protects against other potential long-term affects, said Consumer Reports. 

“It could take many years for the cumulative effects of pesticide buildup in the body from eating conventionally grown food to show up. Cancer risks, for example, are calculated over long periods of exposure to carcinogens. The human studies in the Stanford analysis lasted at most two years.”

However, organic products are more still expensive than other options. According to a Mint.com article, production costs are typically higher, and shipping is more costly, among other reasons for expensive organic food. 

“Organic food is typically 20% to 100% more expensive than a conventional counterpart,” said Annie White in her article for Mint.com.

Some grocery stores are trying to change that. 

At discount retailers like Wal-Mart, customers may be able to find less expensive organic food.

Ralphs is also making an attempt to help customers pay less for organic food. 

“We’re trying to get organic produce at the same price as normal produce,” said Brink, “We have some buying power because of our brand, so our buyers are working on it.” 

The Environmental Working Group has prioritized organic buying for their customers. Their “Dirty Dozen”— produce that they allege is most important to buy organic—includes apples, celery, sweet bell peppers, peaches, strawberries, nectarines (imported), grapes, spinach, lettuce, cucumbers, blueberries (domestic), potatoes, green beans and kale.

Onions, sweet corn, and pineapples all top the “Clean 15” list, which summarizes produce that is safer in a non-organic form.

Some people still choose to buy organic exclusively. 

“I think it’s important [to buy organic],” said Luna, “I mean, that’s all I ever feed my daughter.” 

Reach Reporter Anita Dukart here.



 

Buzz

Craig Gillespie directed this true story about "the most daring rescue mission in the history of the U.S. Coast Guard.”

Watch USC Annenberg Media's live State of the Union recap and analysis here.