Britain's 50-year research results impact industry myths
Organic food may not be more healthy
According to the "Morning News" news, with the continuous improvement of living standards, organic food has embarked on more and more families' dining tables. Compared with traditional foods, organic foods are grown or cultivated in a pollution-free environment. Not only do they use chemicals such as pesticides, chemical fertilizers, and growth regulators, but they also go through the quality certification of professional organizations before they can enter the market. Many consumers think that the nutritional content of organic vegetables is much higher than traditional vegetables. However, according to a report by the British "Daily Telegraph" on July 30th, after a period of 50 years of research, the scientists found that such a conclusion is not valid. Organic foods may not have more nutrients or health benefits.
Higher nutritional value without evidence
In 1958, the British Food Standards Agency commissioned the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine to conduct research on the nutritional properties of organic foods.
In the ensuing 50 years, the scientists conducted 160 independent experiments first, comparing the differences in nutrients between organic foods and traditional foods, but finally found that both were important nutrients for human health such as vitamins and minerals. There is no difference at all. The subsequent 50 trials focused on the impact of organic foods on the human body, but did not find sufficient evidence that they have a higher nutritional value.
Dr. Alan Dungu, the head of the study, the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, described the latest report as "the most comprehensive analysis of the nutritional value of organic foods to date." He said: "Our work shows that organic foods are more nutritious and have not been fully supported by evidence."
Organic farmer expresses dissatisfaction
Gill Farn, senior director of the British Food Standards Agency, who is responsible for guiding consumer choice and healthy eating, said the study also means that consumers do not need to specifically buy expensive organic foods because of nutritional considerations. In supermarkets in the United Kingdom, the price of organic foods is significantly higher than that of ordinary products. For example, organic milk is 10% more expensive, and organic chicken is three times more expensive than regular chicken. It is reported that the British spend more than 2 billion pounds (about 22 billion yuan) on organic food every year.
"Financial Times" had previously reported that the sales of organic food in the United Kingdom increased by 26% from 1993 to 2008, which was quite remarkable. However, in 2009, due to the economic recession, consumers turned to low-priced food, and the growth rate was estimated to be only 7.5%. The publication of this report is a blow to the difficult organic food industry. Many organic farmers and celebrity chefs have already expressed their dissatisfaction.
Anthony Thomson, a famous British chef, said that insisting on eating organic foods in the past 14 years has made him more and more healthy. “Perhaps organic foods are the same as non-organic foods, but research neglected other factors, such as residual pesticides on non-organic foods. The problem".
Lauder Melchet, a policy adviser to the British Land Institute, argued that organic foods are better than ordinary foods and should remain the first choice for consumers. China Quality News