You’ve probably heard about the growing popularity of organic produce. But do you know that Canadian farmers rank 11th in the world regarding organic land use? And what about GMOs? It’s easy to get confused over the pros and cons of organic food and the benefits it offers your family. Here’s some information to help you make an informed decision.
Canadian organic land use ranks 11th in the world:
Canada is lagging behind many other countries when it comes to organic production. Our land-use statistics rank 11th globally, behind several countries with significantly lower arable land area. We must start converting Canadian farms to organic farming practices to guarantee our land’s long-term sustainability and profit from premium prices.
Benefits of organic pesticides:
Using organic pesticides on a family farm is advantageous for several reasons. The first benefit is a reduction in pesticide residues in the food. The second benefit is the reduction in exposure to toxins in the environment. Organic farming practices use less toxic pesticides than conventional methods and may also be more environmentally friendly.
Most organic pesticides have low residues, making them safe for consumers. It is also beneficial to farm workers and rural communities, as they are exposed to fewer pesticides. Pesticide residues are typically far below the MRL for the product, and in 43.7% of organic samples, the amount was below the level. MRLs represent the maximum allowed concentration of a pesticide in a particular food and are not necessarily indicative of the toxicological relevance of residues.
Sources of organic food in the dirty dozen:
Organic produce is a great way to limit pesticide exposure while still eating the benefits of fruits and vegetables. Many items on the ‘Dirty Dozen’ list are organic, but you can still save money by purchasing conventional versions. Although organic produce is more expensive than conventional, it’s often worth the additional money to avoid serious health problems. It’s also possible to save money by purchasing produce in season or on sale.
The Environmental working group has published its yearly “Dirty Dozen” list of the 12 most toxic fruits and vegetables. The group also publishes the ‘Clean Fifteen’ list of produce with the lowest levels of harmful pesticides. This year, strawberries clinched the top spot on the Dirty Dozen list, indicating that conventionally-grown strawberries have a high concentration of pesticide residue. For this reason, EWG recommends purchasing organic versions of these products whenever possible.
