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Hi my name is Maria I am a freshmen in Professor Rosenfeld's English 113B class. I hope readers gain insight on the different level of amount of pesticide residue found in non-organic foods. My blog will provide ways in which consumers can limit their exposure to pesticide residue in their foods. One thing that I found the most interesting about this project was how the amount of pesticide residue found in children can either decrease or increase their chances of developing ADHD. Some things that I have learned are that fruits with softer skins are more capable of holding the most pesticide residue than fruits with thicker skins. I will apply what I have learned about pesticide residue when I go grocery shopping by being more careful about my selection of fruits and vegetables. I want readers to understand the fruits and vegetables with the lowest and highest amount of pesticide residue, and how the amount of residue in these foods may cause ADHD in children.

Hello, my name is Daisy! I am one of the contributors of this blog. I am a Freshman in Professor Rosenfeld's class at Cal State Northridge. I hope our viewers and readers can gain insight in a few nutritional differences between Organic and Non-organic foods. It was a real pleasure participating in this project; just gaining so much more knowledge about an issue that has so much point of views in. Researching about this topic was quite tough! Since there is no concrete evidence on organic foods at this moment. There was so many different arguments on this topic. I really tried my best to try and find the most recent news on this topic for my viewers. What I learned for the rest of my life is about applying the right diet. I feel that I will consume organic versus non-organic because from what I have searched, it seems to be more on the safe side than gengetically modified foods. I think for now I plan on shopping organic until there is further evidence that non-organic foods are safe. What I can recommend for our readers is just try to do a little but of research on your own. Finding things out on your own can benefit you. -Daisy


My name is Taline. I'm in professor Rosenfeld's 113B class. By following this blog, I hope readers will gain some basic knowledge about the differences between organic and non-organic foods. I found it interesting how different organic produce looks compared to non-organic produce. I learned why they look so different and you will too! Learning all these differences makes me want to only eat organic fruits, and I recommend you all do the same. Enjoy! -Taline

FAQ:

 What techniques can farmers do to reduce the amount of pesticide residue in their produce?

Farmers can change the way they farm to decrease the level of pesticide seen in their produce.  They can switch to Integrated Pest Management or to Organic Production Methods. Integrated Pest Management farming uses less toxic chemical pesticide  rather than synthetic chemicals to regulate pest control. Whereas, Organic farming uses no synthetic pesticides.Synthetic pesticides are chemical pesticides.

What is organic food? and who regulates the certification of it?

Organic food is any food that is processed and grown with the organic practices.

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) decides whether a food should be labeled organic or not based on the governmental standards they set. Organic foods have labels such as the one shown below which indicate that the product is organic based on the USDA requirements of organic farming. In order for food to be labeled organic, the food has to be processed and produced in the national organic standards meaning that no synthetic chemicals were used .  Foods made with less than 70 percent of organic ingredients will  not be labeled organic.

http://www.usda.gov/wps/portal/usda/usdahome?navid=ORGANIC_CERTIFICATIO"

 What steps can indivduals do to decrease the pesticides on their food?

In order to decrease some of the pesticides not visibly seen on fruits and vegetables consumers should always wash and peel their produce with cold or warm water. Some people recommend steaming and cooking your vegetables while others find that no difference is made when you steam the vegetables. It has been said that consumers should buy frozen organic produce since it has less pesticide residue. Consumers should also peel off the outer leaves of of vegetables such as lettuce and cabbage. Health experts recommend buyers to buy the dirty dozens fruit and vegetables organic to limit their intake of pesticides in their food .They also recommend users to still eat their fruits and vegetables because they can prevent themselves from other diseases

One of the items that has been recommended by health experts to invest on are fruit scrub brushes. These brushes are suppposed to remove some of the pesticides found on the surface of fruits and vegetables. Individuals can use these brushes on vegetables with either thicker or softer skins such as oranges.







Pesticides within our fruits and vegetables


 Fruits and vegetables infested with pests





These images  above show the different kinds of bugs, and worms  on fruits and vegetables. These  images also indicate one of the reasons why farmers use synthetic chemicals to crops since they do not want to see their produce to go to waste.

I chose the video above because it demonstrated the type of fruits and vegetables with the most pesticides. Peaches was  known as the number one fruit with the most pesticide residue. This video also provided interesting and useful points regarding ways to wash produce. It also mentioned that by simply washing your produce is not enough , the combination of vinegar and water is needed to wash away most of the residue. It is said that in each serving of fruits or vegetables consumers ingest nine pesticides. 

 Since the EWG knows people do not have that much money to buy every food organic ,The Enviornmental Group(EWG) has come up with a list called the "Dirty Dozen".The EWG is non-organtional group which focuses on public health and has derived a list of the most "dirty"and "clean" fruits and vegetables. The fruits and vegetables in the group the "dirty" dozen have the most pesticide residue  in them than the fruits and vegetables in the Clean 15. The enviornmental group recommends consumers to buy items that are considered to have the most pesticide residue organic.

"Data from the Pesticide Data Program reveals conventional produce with the highest percentages of positive (insecticide residue) findings were:celery(96%), pears (95%), apples (94%), peaches(93%),strawberries(91%),oranges(85%),spinach(84%),potatoes(81%),grapes(78%),cucumbers(74%)" (Crinnion 8).
-The data derived from the Pesticide Data Program shows the fruits and vegetables with the highest percentages of incenticide residue. The highest vegetable with the highest percent is celery,peaches come in the second highest with a percentage of 94%. This shows shocking results how the food in which people consume have high amounts of pesticide residue in them. These fruits and vegetables are known to be the most vulnerable to residues since they have soft skin,whereas the fruits and vegetables with thicker layers have less exposure.

http://web.ebscohost.com.libproxy.csun.edu/ehost/pdfviewer/pdfviewer?sid=1c653a3d-d76b-47d6-8dea-3e6f66cdb1bf%40sessionmgr15&vid=2&hid=15 (used quote)

.http://www.cnn.com/2010/HEALTH/06/01/dirty.dozen.produce.pesticide/index.html?iref=allsearch( used advice). http://www.fda.gov/Food/FoodSafety/FoodContaminantsAdulteration/Pesticides/ucm114992.htm#.T3CzHezKf0o.email.fda.gov/Food/FoodSafety/FoodContaminantsAdulteration/Pesticides/ucm114992.htm#.T3CzHezKf0o.email

Physical Difference Between Organic and Non-Organic

Many People Assume that there is no difference between organic and non-organic foods. There are actually a few differences, but people don't know them because they never really see completely organic foods.They look a bit different and definitely taste different. The most easily detectable differences between organic and non-organic products can be seen through fruits and vegetables. I personally prefer organic fruits to non-organic ones. they're usually smaller than market bought fruit but they taste so much more delicious that it's worth growing it at home. Vegetables are different. I prefer store bought veggies because I'm more used to the taste. Organic vegetables taste funny to me. They have a strong, earthy taste. Below are a couple images of the physical differences between organic vs. non-organic fruits and the difference in taste.




Say hello to these adorable organic strawberries (bottom image). They don't look too different from the strawberries we're used to, (top image),  except they are much, much, smaller. They are about a little larger than a blackberry, about an inch long where as a typical strawberry you find in the market is about two to three inches long. The chemicals used to grow strawberries are soil fumigants known as chloropicrin and and methyl iodide. Organic strawberries are also usually a deeper brighter red than non-organic strawberries. I always eat organic strawberries in the summer and regular non-organic strawberries the rest of the year and they taste very different. They have a stronger and sweeter taste. And their juice is darker red rather than a watery color.



The apricots in the top photo are non-organic, and the ones on the bottom are. The chemical used to grow the apricots at the top is known as chlorothalonil. The differences are obvious; the non-organic ones are larger and lighter in color. They're an orange-yellow color. The organic ones are smaller, with yellowish-green and a deep red color, almost like they're blushing. And the tastes and textures are completely different. The non organic ones are a bit harder and crunchier with a little bitter taste. The organic apricots are soft, sweet and juicy with an out of this world flavor. Personally organic apricots are my favorite fruits in the world!

My dad grows grapes, so he knows quite a bit about them. He grows Thompson grapes, then sells them when they turn into raisins. His grapes are not organic, but I have had organic grapes and they are way better than the ones from the market. They're again, smaller, and rounder than the normal grape which is usually large and somewhat oval shaped. The colors are a bit different as well. Organic grapes are a more yellow green and have some tiny spots on them that you don't usually see on non-organic grapes. Organic grapes are also sweeter and much juicier. Most grapes are grown with a chemical nitrogen fertilizer and a chemical called Movento, which kills the worms in the soil that  eat the roots of the plant.



The two images of bananas don't differ too much. Clearly the organic one, the one one the bottom, is much smaller than the one on top; in fact, that whole bunch of bananas is as big as that one non-organic banana. There is hardly a difference in color. The organic bananas have a bit of green coloring at the tips. In order to grow bananas (un-organically) Nematicides must be applied directly to the soil around the base of the tree to protect the roots from being eaten by nematodes. Aerial applications (done by air) of fungicides are done multiple times a year to fight the Black and Yellow Singatoka fungi. Fungicides and disinfectants such as formaldehyde are also applied in packing facilities to protect the bananas during shipment. In the end, the bananas taste pretty much the same.

These little guys in the bottom image are actually completely organic carrots! They look a little different than regular carrots don't they? They are pretty much same color, a little bit smaller, and definitely not the same shape. They don't naturally grow straight. The ends split and curl. The chemical used to grow carrots is called Thiram. Organic carrots taste about the same as non-organic carrots. Their taste is just a little bit stronger.

The most frequently asked question throughout this post is probably, "Why are the organic fruits and veggies smaller than the non-organic ones?" The answer to this is fruits and veggies are grown with chemical fertilizers which are, in other words, chemical salts. Fruits and veggies take in their nutrients dissolved in water, and when they do,the salts cause the plants to bloat, just as too much salt in human diets causes water retention and bloating. That is also why organic fruits are much sweeter. Because non-organic fruits are mostly water.

 

More and more people are starting to take an interest in organic produce. Some people are so health cautious that they wont touch food that isn't organic. In the cartoon above, Adam is asking Satan if the apple he offered him is organic symbolizing all those who rave about being organic.

The image above shows us which produce is safe to eat non-organically, and which ones are not.The produce on the right is grown with little pesticides and is alright to buy from the store. When bought from the store, the produce on the left is grown with a lot of pesticides, and is safer to buy organic or grow yourself.  I'm not a huge fan of organic veggies, but I prefer and recommend everyone to eat organic fruit at least once. Trust me, you wont regret it!





"All I'm saying is that there is a price to be to be paid at the sharp end. . environmentally and and everywhere else. . for the food that is produced in a particular way." 
-Prince Charles

Nutritional Distinctions between Organic and Non-organic Foods

What is considered organic? Organic foods are grown without the use of pesticides, synthetic fertilizers, genetically modified organisms, or radiation. And animals that produce meat, eggs, and dairy products do not in-take growth hormones or antibiotics.

Still trying to determine whether you should spend extra bucks for organic food? Just how much are you informed on organic food? There are several debates among organic and conventional foods. Such as whether one or the other is more nutritious, or if they even do vary in their nutritional composition at all. There is also a lot of confusion between the two. Although there is scientific studies and evidence on both sides, there is still not enough research yet conducted in order to satisfy some people. There has just not been a definitive study yet done. This is due to the number of factors involved in comparing conventionally grown and organically grown foods. Variables such as soil type, climate, crop variety, and harvest handling. The decision to choosing organic vs. non-organic food seems to have become a recent “trend” in the U.S. Even though there is hardly any concrete evidence that organic food may be healthier or nutritious, some results express that they may, even just a little bit. Even if it does not make a significant difference. And if organic food is not more nutritious, it may just be a smarter choice. Some experts note that they recommend organic due to concerns of animal welfare, the use of pesticides, and concerns about the environment.

The video presents a great deal of information on organic and non-organic food. The video's purpose is to inform us the results between organic and non-organic nutritional values. It's great how they gathered average persons opinions in it. The part where the male customer claims that he shops organic because he's believing "the guys" (I'm assuming he means scientists or experts) that tell him it is more nutritious. People might not have done much research themselves online, newspapers, or through books. So they just believe what they hear. Not surprisingly, a lot of us just do not have a lab of our own to just simply conduct research on this concern. They claim in the video that there is a small amount of difference between the two. But even though is it not enough to make a difference, the results still express that their nutritional values still vary. I think in the video they only emphasized on fruits and vegetables. They did not mention anything about meat products. From what I have researched, experts suggest that organically raised meat may prevent spread of diseases, such as mad cow disease. The video also gives a little bit of advice to its viewers, which I feel is convenient. It seems like it was an honest study; since they provided advice and were not just trying to persuade people into buying one or the other. It was personally very insightful to watch. 

I have found several articles which claim different assumptions, ideas, and evidence. Some of which state organic is more nutritious, and some which say there is no difference between the two. I decided to show a little bit of both sides.

Significant Quotes

I want to point out something I found very intriguing in the article: "Nutritional Benefits". It is a short, brief article that points out about a couple of benefits organic foods can offer. Something the article claims that stood out to me was: "studies have found organic fruits and veggies to contain, for example, up to 30% more antioxidants, which promote immune and heart health. Research has also shown organic milk to have more omega-3 fatty acids, which the modern diet dangerously lacks, nutritionists tell us".

Numbers really can say a lot. Statistics are one of the best ways to express the differences between organic and non-organic foods. In this case, the statistics show that organic foods may vary nutritious wise. What's really interesting about the quote/sentence is that nutritionists stated those numbers and facts. Since they specialize in nutrition, I pretty much think the nutritionists know what they're talking about; it seems like credible response. But At the same time though, are these nutritionists conducting the experiments themselves? Or just hearing results from other people?

A quote which I felt was significant from the article "Is Organic Food Really More Nutritious?" is: "Organically grown potatoes, for instance, were found to have higher levels of vitamin C than conventionally grown spuds. In fact, half of the studies the BNF reviewed on vegetables found higher levels of vitamin C in organically produced vegetables particularly in dark, leafy greens like chard and spinach—and no studies showed the organics coming in with lower nutrient levels" (1).

I think it's pretty neat how they pointed out how organic foods are not lower in nutrient levels. If it is not true that organic foods do not have more nutrients or are better for you, at least they do not lack in nutrients. From most of what I read from my research, scientists, and experts hardly claim organic food to be lower in nutrients. Normally they say they are higher, but still hardly make a difference. In the YouTube link I provided above, they did mention some vitamins being lower in some foods though. So I think it varies which nutrients and foods.

The article "Is organic better?" claims: "In nutritional composition, they appear similar. So until more evidence-based studies are available, the decision to eat organic food comes down to this: If you want to eat foods produced without chemicals or pesticides, buy organic" (3).

This implies that some persons have concerns about pesticides, such as the development of cancer from by. If you want to be on the safe side, just shop organic. but since their nutritional compositions do not differ, then just buy the cheapest one, if you'd like. If pesticides are not a concern to you, shop for non-organic foods and save yourself some money. Maybe you can also choose whichever you thin tastes better to you. I think it comes down to a matter of preference. My final thought on this is that just eating more natural, less processed foods are going to be better for your body.

The chart above statistically represents the price differences between some organic and non-organic foods. Although organic foods are sometimes said to have a somewhat higher amount of nutrients by some researchers, their price differences between non-organic can be quite ridiculous. Since organic food is hardly proved having higher nutrients than non-organic, then people will begin to question themselves why should they be waste more money on organic foods if their nutritional value is almost the same or tied with conventional foods? Because of the price differences, less people are convinced to buying organic because it's more costly. Since the both have just about the same nutritional value, I personally would go with what is on sale first. If organic food's nutrients were immensely higher than conventional food's, then maybe people would be more encouraged to invest on organic foods.

This video is very informative about the concerns of non-organic foods. It advises to shop organic, not because it may be claimed to have higher nutrients, but because non-organic food has more pesticides and is genetically modified. They are not good in a person's body. The more natural, less-processed food's are, the more ideally better they are for the body; since the concerns of cancer development in non-organic food which contain pesticides. The women in the video expresses that in other countries, there is a certain requirement limit to labeling what is and what is not genetically modified. She mentions that Europe makes a very big deal in labeling their items. One of the few countries which GMO's (Genetically modified foods) is not a concern is the United States, but is becoming more aware of the issue. It is also suggested that labeling can be a positive thing since people should be aware of what they are putting in their bodies.

The chart above shows the differences between the two. I chose this picture because I feel it gives a short, brief visual summary of the distinctions. It allows the viewers to visually see them quicker. Seems like there is also a list that is pretty straight forward