SPECIAL REPORT:
Organic Center Releases Two New State of Science Reviews That Confirm the Benefits of Organic
Reduction in pesticide risk and increased nutrients are two of the most talked about benefits of organic. Making the case even stronger, The Organic Center has now taken published data on these topics and created two state of science reviews that boil all of it down to the hard facts.

Increased Nutritional Content
Organic produce has on average 25 percent more key nutrients than conventional versions according to The Organic Center’s report, “New Evidence Confirms Nutritional Superiority of Plant-Based Organic Food.” This is the first major, in-depth review of the published scientific literature on the nutritional benefits of organic food completed since 2003. Since then, over 40 new studies have come out on this subject, bringing the total number up to over 100.

The two-year project leading to this report required the creation of a database to compare the results of these studies, as well as the development of methods to identify those studies that were both well-designed and carefully conducted. From these studies, there were 236 scientifically valid “matched pairs” of measurements that include an organic and a conventional sample of a given food.

Using only studies that stood up to 17 different screens and selection criteria, the review compared levels of 11 nutrients in both organic and conventional including four measures of antioxidants (total phenolics, total antioxidant capacity, quercetin, kaempferol), three precursors of key vitamins (vitamins A, C, and E), two minerals (potassium and phosphorous), nitrates and total protein.

The magnitude of the differences in nutrient levels strongly favored the organic samples. Across all 236 matched pairs and 11 nutrients, the nutritional premium of the organic food averaged 25 percent.

Organic samples contained higher concentrations of the very important polyphenols and antioxidants in about three-quarters of the 59 matched pairs representing those phytonutrients. Increasing intakes of these nutrients is a vital goal to improve public health since daily intakes of antioxidants and polyphenols are less than one-half of recommended levels.

Matched pairs involving comparisons of potassium, phosphorous, and total protein levels accounted for over three-quarters of the cases in which the conventional samples were nutritionally superior. A positive finding of these three nutrients is of lesser importance than the other eight nutrients because, in general, these nutrients are adequately supplied in the average American diet.

Over the next few years another 20 to 30 studies will likely be completed and published. The Organic Center will add the results of these studies to their database and over time the Center’s database will grow to the point where we can explore linkages between specific organic and conventional production practices and the nutrient density of foods.

Decreased Pesticide Risk
In addition, The Organic Center recently released a historic report that concludes converting the nation’s eight million acres of produce farms to organic would reduce pesticide dietary risks by about 97 percent. In “Simplifying the Pesticide Risk Equation: The Organic Option,” Dr. Charles Benbrook, the Organic Center’s chief scientist, based his conclusion on estimates on up-to-date pesticide residue data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and the Environmental Protection Agency’s current methods for estimating pesticide dietary risks. The 97 percent risk reduction can only be achieved if converting domestic cropland to organic is coupled with consumers choosing only imported produce that is certified organic.

Other findings and information shared in the report includes:

• Rankings of dietary risk levels in select conventionally-grown fruits and vegetables, arranged to help guide consumers seeking to minimize pesticide risks.

• Suggestions on how to meet dietary guidelines for fruit and vegetable intake in the winter (when we rely on imports), while also reducing pesticide exposures.

• An overview of pesticide residues in milk.

Benbrook noted, recent USDA pesticide residue and food consumption surveys show that most people consume three to four residues daily just through fruits and vegetables. “Accounting for residues in conventional milk, tap water and other foods, the average American exposes him or herself to ten to 13 pesticide residues daily,” he added.

Multiple residues are eight-times more likely in conventional produce than in organic produce.

The Organic Center offers a free download of both of these reports at www.organic-center.org.

Plan to Attend the Spring 2008 NOSB Meeting
The National Organic Standards Board Meeting is taking place in Washington, D.C., May 20th through the 22nd. This is the organic community’s chance to share information and insight that could help shape organic regulations. You’ll witness first hand how the National Organic Standards Board works and have the opportunity to have your voice heard regarding issues that are important to you. Some of the topics include group site certification, aquaculture and hydroponics as well as items petitioned for inclusion the National List. For more information, go to www.ams.usda.gov/nosb.

Organic Fashion Designers Strut Their Stuff For Charity
Green and pink were the hot colors at this year’s thinkVitality Fashion Show held at Natural Products Expo West. Bringing together over 20 eco-apparel designers and other leaders in natural and organic, the event not only put the spotlight on sustainability with “green” clothing made out of materials such as organic cotton and hemp, but also helped raise money and awareness to help fight breast cancer. The eco-charity event was a success with the 18,000 square foot tent practically bursting at the seams with a capacity crowd. Even after all standing room was taken, there was a line of people outside hoping to get in.

“Collaboration among sustainable businesses is the key to environmental and social change,” said Matt Reynolds, co-founder and president of Indigenous. “It’s our pleasure to participate in an event that merges some of the most notably humanitarian companies in the industry with such a high-impact method of delivery.”

Other green designers included Deborah Lindquist, Ecolution, Green Babies, Koi, Linda Loudermilk, Livity International, Stewart+Brown and Under the Canopy. The sponsoring companies of the show included Whole Foods Markets, Seventh Generation, United Natural Foods, Inc., Ecover, Ideasphere, Giovanni Cosmetics and Kiss My Face, among others.
—contributed by Claire Greene


Green Business Conference/Green Festival In Chicago In May
On May 14th and 15th, Co-op America’s Green Business Network brings its seventh Green Business Conference to Chicago’s Navy Pier. Gathering together the most powerful minds in green business today all under one roof, the two day event offers speakers, workshops, numerous marketing opportunities, and the chance to network with others dedicated to green issues. The conference is followed by the Green Festival, the nation’s largest green consumer event, on May 17-18.


Forum Brings Together Organic Leaders This June
The Organic Summit, a leader-level forum for the organic industry, hosted by the Organic Farming Research Foundation and New Hope Media, will take place in Boulder, Colo., June 25-27. The focus this year will be on “Cultivating Innovation and Transparency in the Organic Community," and will include sessions on everything from eco-labels, domestic fair trade and venture philanthropy to food security and nanotechnology. For more information go to www.theorganicsummit.com.