Misleading Headlines Scare the Wits Out of Concerned Organic Shoppers!

Wedge members Toni and John Jesmer sent the following email to the Wedge expressing concern about the 5/8 Associated Press story that the Star Tribune published under the headline "Report: Organic produce is not pure."

"Please, can you set our minds to ease about this???" (Hyperlinks to online versions of the story were included in the email).

We'll try. Here's what we know:

Is the story true? Undoubtedly. There is pesticide residue at the Arctic Circle though no one ever farmed there. Our globe is one eco-system. Poison inserted anywhere can end up anywhere else, given time and the right circumstances. Drift on the wind and in the rain happens despite the best efforts of organic farmers to keep their crops unsullied.

The story indicated that many of the residues are from chemicals lingering in the soil that were banned decades ago. The price we pay for experimenting with DDT and similar compounds. There was one sample of organic fruit that had enough pesticide residue to indicate direct spraying.

As long as humans are involved in an enterprise there will be mistakes, even deception, but the overwhelming majority of organic growers have the highest integrity.

Please note that significantly fewer organic samples contained residue than did conventional produce. If anything, the headlines should have read "Report: Conventional produced laced with pesticides - organic a better choice" but that's the media for you. If your concern is a reduction of exposure, your best bet is certified organic. If your goal is less future contamination of the planet, certainly organic is the way to go.

The solution is more organic cropland, not giving up on organic. We can't fix this problem overnight or without a return of significant acreage to organic production. So far, organically-farmed land is a tiny percentage of total cropland. Under those circumstances, the greatly reduced residue level is quite impressive.

The anti-organic forces are having a field day with this report. I don't know why, since it indicates that three-quarters of conventional produce showed residue, but they'll take whatever they can get. Don't be fooled into thinking you've been taken for a ride. Buying organic is part of the solution but it isn't a quick fix. Hang in for the long haul. Our grandchildren will thank you.