Eating organic reduces pesticide exposure.  Various pesticides have been linked with adverse effects on fertility and fetal development and with increased cancer risk.  More than 90 percent of conventionally grown produce contains pesticide residue, compared with 20 percent of organically produced fruits and vegetables, and these have much lower concentrations, according to Benbrook. 

Eating organic also decrease your intake of food additives such as monosodium glutamate or MSG, food coloring agents and artificial sweeteners.  Additives and dyes have been linked to food allergies, hyperactivity, neurological disease and cancer.  In organic product there are no growth hormones or antibiotics in meat or dairy.  These growth hormones, which are injected in cows, have been linked to early puberty development and a higher risk of cancer.

Organic food does not contain genetically modified organisms.  Jury is still out on the health effects of eating transgenetic food, such as wheat that’s had a fish gene spliced into it.   Organic food tastes better.  Alyson Mitchell, PhD, who led the antioxidant studies at UCD, says that “organic produce tends to taste better, most likely because of higher antioxidant levels, which help it, store long too.”  Benbrook also believes it can encourage people to reach the daily recommendation of five to 10 serving more easily.   

In food industry survey of U.S. consumers taken in 2004, there are 66% say they use organic products at least occasionally.  27% ate more organic food than they did the previous year and 70% worry about the health risks of pesticides, hormones, antibiotics and other chemicals in food.  Also 32% say organic food tastes better and 54% think that organic food is better for their health and 58% also think organic food is better for the environment.

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