ORGANICS

Organic foods, especially raw or non-processed, contain higher levels of beta carotene, vitamins C, D and E, health-promoting polyphenols, cancer-fighting antioxidants, and flavonoids that help ward off heart disease, essential fatty acids, and essential minerals.

Organic food doesn't contain pesticides.  More than 400 chemical pesticides are routinely used in conventional farming and residues remain on non-organic food even after washing.  Children are especially vulnerable to pesticide exposure.  One class of pesticides, endocrine disrupters, may be responsible for early puberty and breast cancer.  Pesticides are linked to asthma and cancer.

Organic food doesn't contain food additives or  flavor enhancers such as MSG and artificial sweeteners (like aspartame and high-fructose corn syrup; contaminants (like mercury) or preservatives (like sodium nitrate).  These can cause health problems.

FOOD FOR THOUGHT:

Our food is coded to indicate how it is produced.  Conventionally grown produce is grown with chemical inputs.  The PLU Code on the sticker consist of four numbers.   Organically grown fruit has a five-numeral PLU which starts by the number 9.  Generically engineered (GM) produce has a five-numeral PLU prefaced by the number 8.