Just 21 months ago I wrote about a large EU-funded study that concluded organics are healthier. Officially. Now a comprehensive review of research published today in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition says there is no evidence organic food is more nutritious.
This one was funded by the British agency that regulates food production and sales, but Science Daily says the funder had no role in the selection or interpretation of the data. So far, The Guardian’s report is the only one I’ve seen that notes — in the first paragraph — the conclusion is being questioned by some experts and some organic food advocates.
Aug 2 – Important update: The EU study was excluded from the review of research for this study.
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This, to me, is a companion piece to your recent post on organics. All we can really do is consume as much good, reliable information as we can (like your blog!) and then use our own conclusions and intuitions to make the best choices for us as individuals. And the advice from that movie, “Follow the money.”, is worth considering.
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It does complement the earlier post this month (thanks for linking to it!) and you’re absolutely right about taking in information and making a decision. It reminds me of the wonderful slogan of Syms, a clothing discounter in NYC: An educated consumer is our best customer.
I am semi-amazed, though, at the amnesia in the reports of this latest study. That EU study was huge. Of course untold journalists have lost their jobs since then, thanks to the recession, so perhaps context is a victim too.
And this just in from HuffPo: “Study ignores documented benefits of Organics”
(I apologize for linking elsewhere, but it’s more fuel for balance on this important issue.)
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No apology needed — thanks, Muse! It’s a shame it took 2 days for someone else to notice but I guess that’s beside the point. The Telegraph (aka: Torygaph) ran an interesting follow-up article – I didn’t know the FSA (which funded this study) has a history in this regard. The piece begins “What’s with the Food Standards Agency and organic food? It just can’t leave it alone. Not, of course, in the sense of wanting to wolf it down, but in trying to persuade the us not to do so.” Should have been noted in the original report, I think.
(And I’m still wondering how our prarie dogs could look different from yours and wishing I could find those slides!)