By: Chris Jones

Chris Jones — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 20:28:01 +0000

Thank you for taking the time to write and express your views in such a detailed commentary.
The term organic chemistry was originally applied to the study of carbon compounds in living “vital” systems but since it was discovered how versatile the carbon molecule is, most organic compounds destined for commerce are now synthesized in the laboratory and you are right, some of them are extremely toxic. These would include the organochlorine pesticides DDT, banned for over 30 years now, and Endosulfan, which is banned in 50 countries but not yet in the U.S.A. The use of the term “organic” when applied to most carbon containing substances today has nothing to do with the term that is applied to the growth of produce. I would choose organic and pesticide-free produce over sprayed crops any day because I know that by doing so I will greatly reduce or possibly completely eliminate pesticide residues from my body. (http://www.health360.info/?p=401). We are swimming in a sea of toxins today, most of which have not been properly tested for safety (http://www.ewg.org/kid-safe-chemicals-act-blog/kid-safe-chemicals-act/) and anything we can do to reduce that load is very welcome to me and my family. Children are now suffering from conditions that were relatively rare over 30 years ago and babies are being born already polluted with heavy metals and industrial toxins including pesticides (http://www.health360.info/?p=444, http://www.health360.info/?p=435). This is an outrage and a disgrace.
As for the 650 million meals eaten every day, I agree that they are generally free from infectious agents but you can be sure that a significant percentage of these meals are processed, calorie rich and nutrient poor, essentially junk food whose effects are manifested in the appalling epidemic of obesity we are seeing in America today. There are some physicians that consider obesity to be an illness in itself and we know for sure that it is major risk factor for type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, coronary heart disease, stroke, certain cancers and a range of other ailments (http://www.health360.info/?p=143). These illnesses are very costly not only not only in terms of the pain and suffering experienced but also emotionally and financially (http://www.health360.info/?p=203).
Organic produce is usually more expensive than sprayed produce and this is partly because sprayed crops are subsidized more than organic crops and fees are charged to organic producers (Health Reform should begin at the UDSA. Environmental Working Group. http://budurl.com/x3da). If the government is serious about health reform then this policy will have to change.

By: Derrell Kelso

Derrell Kelso — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 06:41:25 +0000

Some of the most dangerous chemicals and compounds in the world are “Organic”. Don’t let the word “Organic” give you a false sense of security. America is the safest place to eat food in the world. Today, in the U.S. there were over 650 million meals eaten, this past week times that times 7. I heard of no one complaining or getting sick. Farmers spend 10′s of thousands of dollars a month to ensure we have the safest, freshest, best tasting food in the world to eat. Today we spend 7% less our take home pay to eat than we did 20 years ago. The world pays U.S. Farmers premiums for our produce because of our reputation for clean safe food. You want organic, that is fine! Make sure it is for the right reasons. Just because an organization is “Non Profit” don’t think they don’t have agendas. Most “Non Profits” agenda is a need to keep a job. Create a need through “Fear”. I’ve worked in the cherry industry for years. You want a perfectly clean cherry, follow Europe and allow irradiation. That way you can do away with Chlorine which is used in the water to clean a cherry which is the “Chemical” that shows up in testing! Don’t tell me you don’t swim in a public pool without Chlorine do you? Conclusion: I would bet you if you sampled 20 fruits and veggies in your produce Isle (include the “Dirty Dozen”) and then sampled 20 public water samples in 20 government buildings in 20 different states and after looking at the results would welcome a cherry as your H2O needs. Americans are afraid of healthy produce when they are the fattest nation in the world eating unhealthy fast food, or food that is so processed it won’t even spoil.

Comments on: Organic Produce: The Facts

By: Chris Jones

By: Derrell Kelso