Are organic fruits and vegetables better for my baby?
Some parents prefer to offer their babies organic fruits and vegetables because they contain fewer pesticide residues than non-organic food. However, the levels of contamination in both organic and non-organic food are well within safe limits. Pesticide levels in food are regulated and monitored in Canada. That being said, if you do want to limit your baby's exposure to pesticide residues by offering organic food, here are three tips for buying organic fruits and vegetables.
Read our article for additional tips on buying organic food for less.
This article was written using the following sources:
Curl CL, Fenske RA, Elgethun K. 2003. Organophosphorus pesticide exposure of urban and suburban preschool children with organic and conventional diets. Environmental Health Perspectives 111(3):377-82
Dangour AD, Dodhia SK, Hayter A, et al. 2009. Nutritional quality of organic foods: a systematic review. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition 90(3):680-5
EC. n.d. Foods for infants and young children – Cereals and other baby foods. European Commission, Food Safety – From the Farm to the Fork. ec.europa.eu [Accessed October 2010]
Ellis KA, Innocent G, Grove-White D, et al. 2006. Comparing the fatty acid composition of organic and conventional milk. Journal of Dairy Science 89(6):1938-50
FSA. n.d. Unsaturated fat – Omega 3 fatty acids. Food Standards Agency. www.eatwell.gov.uk [Accessed October 2010]
FSA. 2009. Organic review published. Food Standards Agency. www.food.gov.uk [Accessed October 2010]
FSA. 2006. Nutritional differences between organic and non-organic milk. Food Standards Agency. www.food.gov.uk [Accessed October 2010]
FSA. 2004. Your questions on pesticides. Food Standards Agency website. www.food.gov.uk [Accessed October 2010]
Magkos F, Arvaniti F, Zampelas A. 2006. Organic food: buying more safety or just peace of mind? A critical review of the literature. Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition 46(1):23-56
Morin KH. 2009. Infant nutrition – Organic baby food: what do you tell parents? The American Journal of Maternal/Child Nursing 34(2):129. www.nursingcenter.com [Accessed October 2010]
Soil Association. n.d. What is organic? www.soilassociation.org [Accessed October 2010]
#1 Focus on the foods with the highest pesticide levels
Organic foods can sometimes be pricey. You may want to focus on offering your baby organic fruits and vegetables that are in the dirty dozen, the top twelve fruits and vegetables with the highest levels of pesticides listed by the Environmental Working Group.#2 Understand what organic means in Canada
Watch for labels and choose certified organic when possible. Certified organic has a very specific meaning. Farmers need to use methods other than herbicides and pesticides to control insects and disease. They also need to avoid the use of synthetic chemicals, antibiotics, growth enhancers, hormones, colouring or artificial additives, ionizing radiation, or GMOs (genetically modified) food. Farms have to follow these practices for 3 years before they can call themselves certified organic.#3 Feed your baby a varied and nutritious diet
Organic foods are not necessarily any more nutritious in terms of the vitamins and mineral they offer for your baby than non-organic. Government research at this time has found that there are no important differences in the nutrition content of organic foods compared to intensively farmed foods. Giving your baby a varied and nutritious diet is the most important thing, organic or not.One more thought to keep in mind, organic fruits and vegetables often have more flavour and this may encourage your baby to enjoy her fruits and vegetables!Read our article for additional tips on buying organic food for less.
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This article was written using the following sources:
Curl CL, Fenske RA, Elgethun K. 2003. Organophosphorus pesticide exposure of urban and suburban preschool children with organic and conventional diets. Environmental Health Perspectives 111(3):377-82
Dangour AD, Dodhia SK, Hayter A, et al. 2009. Nutritional quality of organic foods: a systematic review. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition 90(3):680-5
EC. n.d. Foods for infants and young children – Cereals and other baby foods. European Commission, Food Safety – From the Farm to the Fork. ec.europa.eu [Accessed October 2010]
Ellis KA, Innocent G, Grove-White D, et al. 2006. Comparing the fatty acid composition of organic and conventional milk. Journal of Dairy Science 89(6):1938-50
FSA. n.d. Unsaturated fat – Omega 3 fatty acids. Food Standards Agency. www.eatwell.gov.uk [Accessed October 2010]
FSA. 2009. Organic review published. Food Standards Agency. www.food.gov.uk [Accessed October 2010]
FSA. 2006. Nutritional differences between organic and non-organic milk. Food Standards Agency. www.food.gov.uk [Accessed October 2010]
FSA. 2004. Your questions on pesticides. Food Standards Agency website. www.food.gov.uk [Accessed October 2010]
Magkos F, Arvaniti F, Zampelas A. 2006. Organic food: buying more safety or just peace of mind? A critical review of the literature. Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition 46(1):23-56
Morin KH. 2009. Infant nutrition – Organic baby food: what do you tell parents? The American Journal of Maternal/Child Nursing 34(2):129. www.nursingcenter.com [Accessed October 2010]
Soil Association. n.d. What is organic? www.soilassociation.org [Accessed October 2010]
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