DHA & ARA to be phased out of Organic products, including baby food & formula

Apr 28, 2010 Call to Action, Organics

Hooray!  I have long wondered how it was that Martek’s DHA and ARA could be included in organic products when the additives are extracted from algae using a potential neurotoxin called hexane.  Now comes this report from the Washington Post

“The Obama administration announced Tuesday that two synthetic additives will no longer be permitted in infant formula or baby foods certified as organic because the widely used ingredients have not received legal approval for use in organic products.”   

“This move will give consumers the assurance that the USDA is taking organics seriously and isn’t allowing backroom deals,” said Vallaeys, a food policy analyst with the Cornucopia Institute, an organics advocacy group.  The fatty acids in formula are often produced using a potential neurotoxin known as hexane, prompting many organics advocates to conclude that the regulatory National Organic Standards Board would not approve their use if it took up the matter.

Read the full Washington Post article

Organic Foods are not nutritionally superior to conventional foods

Jul 29, 2009 Organics

A new study for the UK’s FSA (food standards agency) shows that organic foods do not contain a greater level of vitamins or minerals than conventional foods.

In the most comprehensive study ever to be carried out into the nutritional content of organic food compared to ordinary fare, scientists found no significant difference in vitamins and minerals.  Read the Report

A preliminary EU (QLIF) study in 2007 showed that Organic foods likely had higher levels of vitamins and minerals.  This study contradicted another statement by the UK FSA that organic foods were not better than conventional foods.

We think organics are better for a variety of reasons with the lack of pesicides used being the numero-uno reason!  What do you think?

Tags: Organics

Organic Find of the Week

May 18, 2008 Organics, Pinchin' Pennies

I’ve been trying to post my <cheap> Organic food finds when I have gone grocery shopping. 

 Just this Saturday I found Organic Avocados for a pretty smooth price.

Yep, Organic avocados were selling for $3.79 for 4 avocados.

Conventional avocados were selling for $3.69 for 4 avocados.

While there was no bargain here, the cost differential makes buying the Organic avocados pretty cheap!

Learn all about Avocados and what a great first food they make for babies!  We have many avocado “recipe” ideas as well as information about selecting avocados and storing them too!  Visit our  Avocados page!

Tags: Avocados, Organic