Considerations for buying organic? Food options for baby and toddler (and adults too).

The main reason I decided to make my own baby food was to minimize any unknown and unwanted elements in my daughter’s food. I wanted her to just have food and not all the preservatives and additives that come with pre-made baby food. A recent report from the U.S. House of Representatives, Subcommittee on Economic and Consumer Policy, Committee on Oversight and Reform was released regarding dangerously high levels of heavy metal in many popular baby brands, including some organic brands.¹ This data doesn’t have comparison levels to other “adult” foods or the base ingredients themselves so it’s hard to base all decisions off this alone but for me it certainly strengthened my opinion to buy organic and make my own foods when possible. 

Organic food was a no brainer for me, especially once I did some more research. The Department of Agriculture in the United States collects data regarding pesticides present on foods and the EWG analyzes this data annually. Approximately 70 percent of the non-organic fresh produce in the US was found to contain potentially harmful chemical pesticides. Multiple pesticides are tested in this process. There are some particular pesticides, such as DCPA, that are suspected to be human carcinogens, or others that have harmful effects on child neuro-development such as acephate and chlorpyrifos. There are also others that the quantities of and the effects of are unknown due to a lack of data. Additionally a fungicide known as Imazalil has been detected on approximately 90 percent of non-organic citrus fruits in the US which is also suspected to have carcinogenic effects.²

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) did have a publication regarding the consumption of organic foods in 2012. They confirmed that organic diets decrease consumers’ intake of pesticides linked to human disease. In regards to meats and dairy, organic meats limited the use of non therapeutic antibiotics given to the animals therefore decreasing the presence of antibiotic resistant bacteria which ultimately decreases the risk of human disease from these resistant organisms. Organic meats and dairy also do not come from animals treated with growth hormone. It was also noted in this report that organic foods had higher levels of vitamin C and phosphorus than conventional foods but the significance of this is not officially known. These are known benefits of organic foods however formal data regarding the benefits of organic diets versus conventional diets is just not available due to limitations in completing such a study. This is limited by the ability to have a large sample size and also effective randomization of the groups while controlling all of their intake. Their final recommendation included the importance of regardless of what types, organic or conventional, foods are available, an emphasis on a good variety in the diet including a high volume of fresh fruits and veggies.³

Aside from dietary benefits, there are environmental impacts to organic eating as well. Preserving the environment is something that is very important to me as I want my daughter to be able to travel the world and see all its wonders. If we destroy it, that won’t even happen. We became vegetarians initially because of this. Organic farming has been shown to have less damaging effects as there is not release of synthetic pesticides into the environment which have impacts on the soil, water, wildlife and plantlife. Organic farms also use less energy and the soil has been found to have better soil quality with higher water retention. ³

I buy organic whenever I can. Fruits, Vegetables, Dairy, Spices. I am fortunate to live in a region where these are available to me. I realize not all people have this option and that is OKAY. Another barrier is also cost. Organic foods are typically more expensive, but depending on where you do your shopping the degree of increased cost does vary. Below is the list of the Environmental Working Group’s (EWG) “Dirty Dozen List”, the items that have the highest levels of pesticides and you should always buy organic when possible. These lists are an awesome place to start. Quick Tip – save them digitally or post them somewhere handy for when the grocery list is being made!

2021 Dirty Dozen List:

1. Strawberries
2. Spinach
3. Kale, Collard and Mustard Greens
4. Nectarines
5. Apples
6. Grapes
7. Peaches
8. Cherries
9. Pears
10. Bell and Hot Peppers
11. Celery
12. Tomatoes

In contrast, here is EWG’s “Clean Fifteen List”, or the list of foods that are of lesser importance to buy organic as they are less likely to have pesticides.

2021 Clean Fifteen List:

1. Avocados
2. Sweet Corn
3. Pineapples
4. Onions
5. Frozen Sweet Peas
6. Papaya
7. Eggplant
8. Asparagus
9. Broccoli
10. Cabbage
11. Kiwi
12. Cauliflower
13. Mushrooms
14. Honeydew
15. Cantaloupe²

Questions, comments, tips for the mamas? Type them below.

Let’s Talk Soon,
Al

References:

1. “Baby Foods Are Tainted with Dangerous Levels of Arsenic, Lead, Cadmium, and Mercury” U.S. House of Representatives Subcommittee on Economic and Consumer Policy Committee on Oversight and Reform. 4 Feb 2021. https://oversight.house.gov/sites/democrats.oversight.house.gov/files/2021-02-04%20ECP%20Baby%20Food%20Staff%20Report.pdf. Accessed 2 Jun 2021.

2. EWG Science Team. “EWG’s 2021 Shopper’s Guide to Pesticides in Produce™”. Environmental Working Group. 17 Mar. 2021. https://www.ewg.org/foodnews/summary.php. Accessed 2 Jun 2021.

3. Joel Forman, Janet Silverstein, Committee on Nutrition and Council on Environmental Health. “Organic Foods: Health and Environmental Advantages and Disadvantages” Pediatrics. November 2012, 130 (5) e1406-e1415; DOI: https://doi.org/10.1542/peds.2012-2579