The organic food scam? Is organic better for you?

[Malcolm]

According to the following article, it is not

 

The organic food scam? Fruit and veg that is grown without the use of pesticides is NOT healthier for you than ordinary items, says former head of the Food Standards Authority

• Baron Krebs said organic food was not 'more nutritious' but was better for planet

By SUKHMANI SETHI

PUBLISHED: 12:43 EDT, 1 April 2024 | UPDATED: 12:46 EDT, 1 April 2024

 

Organic food is no better for you than ordinary food, despite the conception that non-organic goods can contain harmful pesticides, said the former head of the Foods Standards Agency.

John Krebs said that whilst organic food is better environmentally, it is not necessarily 'more nutritious'.

The 78-year-old crossbench peer told the Private Passions podcast he 'stands by' the controversial assertion he made whilst he was head of the UK's FSA.

 

Baron Krebs admitted non-organic food has come 'at a cost' to the planet, but added: 'That doesn't mean that organic food is more nutritious, or healthier.

'You might want to eat it because you believe that it's a movement that's worth supporting.

 

John Krebs said that many of the aspirations of the organic movement are 'admirable' and showed 'ladership'

'Less pesticides are used in the production, but then, conventionally farmed food is monitored very carefully for the pesticide levels.

'So, when you go to the supermarket and buy you know, spinach that's not organic, it's not going to have pesticide levels that will do you any harm.

'I do still stand by the assertion that I made that organic food is not healthier for you, but it may be healthier for the environment.'

Baron Krebs, who is also a member of the food, diet and obesity Lord select committee, became the first Chairman of the UK Food Standards Agency in January 2000. He left after five years, in April 2005.

During his tenure, he made the 'controversial' statement which saw a backlash from the organic farming community.

He continued: 'I'm not against organic farming and I believe that many of the aspirations of the organic movement, to farm in a more sustainable way are admirable, and they are showing leadership.

Baron Krebs, who is also a member of the food, diet and obesity Lord select committee, became the first Chairman of the UK Food Standards Agency in January 2000

The former head of the FSA said that we needed to 'rethink how we produce food' to 'farm sustainably'

 

Baron Krebs admitted non-organic food has come 'at a cost' to the planet, but added that it 'doesn't mean that organic food is more nutritious, or healthier'

'Because, the truth is, although modern farming has brought us plentiful cheap food, it's brought it to us at a cost, a cost of pollution of the environment, damage to habitats, loss of species, loss of biodiversity.

'And, I think what organic farmers have said to us is that we need to rethink how we produce food.

'And, they are right. I wouldn't necessarily agree with the particular way they propose to do it, but the general principle, let's try and farm sustainably, is right.'

Baron Krebs was the principal of Jesus College at Oxford University from 2005 until 2015.

He was also the President of the British Science Association from 2012 to 2013.

The Food Standards Agency (FSA) is responsible for food safety and food hygiene in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.