Organic Foods: Worth The Extra Cost?

There are literally hundreds of items labeled "organic," everything from spinach to snack foods.

So, what does it really mean to say something is "organic," and is it worth it to pay the higher prices organic foods command?

It's harder than you might think to answer those questions.

Organic food sales have grown approximately 15 percent to 21 percent every year over the past decade, which indicates Americans are concerned about what's in the food they eat.

These days, the term "organic" is applied not only to fruits and vegetables, but also beef, chicken, milk, eggs, grains and even snack foods.

On The Early Show Monday, medical correspondent Dr. Emily Senay clarified the meaning of the term "organic," and offered her thoughts on whether that food is indeed healthier, and whether it pays to pay a premium for it.

WHAT DOES ORGANIC REALLY MEAN?

A standard that defines "organic" was established by the Organic Foods Production Act in 1990, because there was a lot of confusion.

It means food with no artificial fertilizers (the ones made with sewage sludge), genetic modification, irradiation (a process that reduces spoilage and kills bacteria and pests), or conventional pesticides.

Livestock raised organically must be fed organic feed, can't be given antibiotics or growth hormones, and have access to the outdoors, according to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA).

WHAT'S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN SOMETHING THAT SAYS "100 PERCENT ORGANIC" AND SOMETHING OTHER THAN THAT, BUT STILL "ORGANIC?"

There are different levels of organic foods. "One hundred percent organic" means the food must contain only organically produced ingredients. In order to be labeled organic, at least 95 percent of the ingredients in the food have to have been organically produced.

Processed products that contain at least 70 percent organic ingredients can use the phrase "made with organic ingredients" and list up to three of the organic ingredients or food groups. For example, soup made with at least 70 percent organic ingredients and only organic vegetables may be labeled either "made with organic peas, potatoes and carrots" or "made with organic vegetables."

WHAT'S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE TERMS "NATURAL" AND "ORGANIC"?

Natural foods are different from organic foods. Only products inspected and certified by the USDA can have a label that says organic. Natural foods can't contain any additives, such as preservatives or artificial coloring.

WHAT ARE SOME OF THE BENEFITS OF BUYING ORGANIC FOODS?

Eating organic foods can reduce the amount of pesticides and chemicals that non-organic foods may get into your body. You are also reducing your exposure to antibiotics, genetically modified crops, hormones, and irradiated foods. Still, the long-term health effects aren't clear.

WHY IS IT THAT ORGANIC FOOD USUALLY COSTS MORE?

Organic fruits and vegetables can cost up to about 30 percent more than regular produce. One reason is that organic farms are usually smaller than conventional farms, yielding less even as demand for their crops is high. Controlling pests and weeds without using artificial pesticides is more labor-intensive, harder, and more expensive than using most pesticides. Also, organic feed for livestock is more expensive.

ORGANIC FOODS CONSIDERED SAFER AND HEALTHIER?

The USDA doesn't officially offer any opinion about whether organic food is safer or more nutritious than non-organic food. It only says that organic standards have been met. This includes the companies that handle or process the foods before they get to the supermarket. That said, organic foods have lower levels of artificial pesticides, are not genetically modified, don't have artificial hormones, and reduce your exposure to antibiotics. On the other hand, the EPA regulates pesticides in foods. Strict standards must be met.

As for being healthier, some studies have found that organically grown oranges have more vitamin C and possibly iron and magnesium. Organic milk has been found to have higher levels of omega-3 fatty acids. More research needs to be done on this. One thing to keep in mind is that organic potato chips are still junk food. Being organic doesn't mean you can load up on them.

IS IT BETTER TO BUY ORGANIC FOODS CLOSER TO WHERE THEY ORIGINATE?

It is better to buy it locally because nutrients start depleting in food as soon as it's harvested. The further organic food has to be transported, the more nutrients that are lost.

For a guide to how much pesticide can generally be found in different fruits and vegetables, click here.