Facts About Conventional And Organic Foods

1. USDA's examination of pesticide residue on produce has concluded that over 99 percent of produce has residue levels well below the safety tolerance levels set by EPA.

True

False

There’s a myth going around that pesticide residue levels of foods are extremely high, but in reality, less than 1% of both organic and conventional produce has residue levels above the safety tolerance levels set by the EPA. EPA has found these levels to still be extremely low and they do not pose a food safety risk.

Explanation

There’s a myth going around that pesticide residue levels of foods are extremely high, but in reality, less than 1% of both organic and conventional produce has residue levels above the safety tolerance levels set by the EPA. EPA has found these levels to still be extremely low and they do not pose a food safety risk.

2. Organic milk is healthier for you: switching from drinking conventional to organic milk can increase your intake of omega-3 unsaturated fatty acid levels by over 50%.

True

False

The British Journal of Nutrition released research indicating that switching from conventional to organic milk provides a 56% increase in omega-3 fatty acids, but in reality, this increase is only true to milk fat and not whole milk (what people drink). Whole milk only contains 4% fat, so in actuality, making the switch to organic milk will only increase omega-3 levels by about 1.5%.

Explanation

The British Journal of Nutrition released research indicating that switching from conventional to organic milk provides a 56% increase in omega-3 fatty acids, but in reality, this increase is only true to milk fat and not whole milk (what people drink). Whole milk only contains 4% fat, so in actuality, making the switch to organic milk will only increase omega-3 levels by about 1.5%.

3. Pesticide residue levels in organic and conventional foods are tightly regulated by the:

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)

U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)

All of the above

The USDA and FDA share responsibility for monitoring levels of pesticide residues in and on foods. The EPA develops strict limits for the amount of pesticide residue that can be present on food.

Explanation

The USDA and FDA share responsibility for monitoring levels of pesticide residues in and on foods. The EPA develops strict limits for the amount of pesticide residue that can be present on food.

4. Which of the following statements are true about organic food and farming?

If a product is labeled organic, it means that zero pesticides were used to produce that product.

Organic produce is grown with the use of pesticides

Organic products are safer than conventional ones

Organic foods are more nutritious than conventional ones

Although some people believe that organic produce is grown without the use of pesticides, organic farmers also use pesticides. The difference, however, is that they use “natural” pesticides. “Natural” pesticides have been found to be less effective than conventional pesticides, so organic farmers tend to use larger quantities. When you buy fruit and vegetables, regardless if organic or conventional, make sure you wash them thoroughly before consuming.

Explanation

Although some people believe that organic produce is grown without the use of pesticides, organic farmers also use pesticides. The difference, however, is that they use “natural” pesticides. “Natural” pesticides have been found to be less effective than conventional pesticides, so organic farmers tend to use larger quantities. When you buy fruit and vegetables, regardless if organic or conventional, make sure you wash them thoroughly before consuming.

5. What is the estimated number of strawberries a child would have to eat before experiencing any negative impact from pesticide residue?

50

100

550

More than 1500

Anything in extremely high doses can cause negative health effects. For example, the naturally occurring oxalic acid in spinach can harm the body, but only after eating about 10 pounds of spinach! The amount of pesticides on fruits and vegetables is so small that it has to be measured in parts per billion. A child would have to eat over 1,500 strawberries in one day before there would be any negative impact from pesticide residue.

Explanation

Anything in extremely high doses can cause negative health effects. For example, the naturally occurring oxalic acid in spinach can harm the body, but only after eating about 10 pounds of spinach! The amount of pesticides on fruits and vegetables is so small that it has to be measured in parts per billion. A child would have to eat over 1,500 strawberries in one day before there would be any negative impact from pesticide residue.