Organic refers to a method of farming, but it’s not a health claim.

When seeing An organic logo on food don’t be confused. That logo does not mean that the food is automatically healthy. it doesn’t tell you about the calories, fat, salt, sugar or vitamin content of food. An organic fried chip is still a fried chip — it’s not suddenly “healthy” because the potato was grown using organic farming methods.

To be considered organic:

  • No synthetic fertilizers
  • No synthetic pesticides
  • No GMOs (genetically modified organisms)
  • Antibiotics as a last resort *
  • Better animal welfare

*The animal products we consume must be kept disease free for this and many conventional farmers regularly use antibiotics to prevent disease. These can end up in our food chain. On organic farms, the use of antibiotics is strictly limited. It is allowed only when absolutely necessary for the health of the animal, in order to avoid suffering and when natural remedies are not effective.

What doesn’t mean it’s organic:

  • It is grown locally
  • “Green” packaging: Words such as “natural,” “green,” or “eco” on labels and packaging do not necessarily mean that a product is organic.
  • “Healthy”: when a product is labeled organic it does not directly mean that it is healthy, and vice versa. There are many organic products from burgers to pizzas and wine. Being organic doesn’t mean it doesn’t have a lot of sugar, saturated fat, etc. Too much fat, salt and sugar still have negative effects whether the product is organic or not.

What to do to verify if a product is organic?

European symbol

NOTE: In other countries you may encounter different symbols and different regulations for what can be considered organic or not.

Ιnteresting: studies support that organic food has higher levels of polyphenols (beneficial for the body) than conventional food. Also, eating organic foods has been associated with a reduced risk of certain types of cancer as well as other health benefits. HOWEVER, more studies are needed!
What I suggest is:
If there is the possibility to buy organic food when it is consumed often for example on a daily basis and not when something is consumed more sparsely. Also, good washing of fruits and vegetables. Removing the skin is a good tactic.

What I would 100% avoid is obsessing over such products and overdoing it.

Scientific Articles:
  • Mie A, Andersen HR, Gunnarsson S, Kahl J, Kesse-Guyot E, Rembiałkowska E, Quaglio G, Grandjean P. Human health implications of organic food and organic agriculture: a comprehensive review. Environ Health. 2017 Oct 27;16(1):111. doi: 10.1186/s12940-017-0315-4. PMID: 29073935; PMCID: PMC5658984. 
  • Giampieri F, Mazzoni L, Cianciosi D, Alvarez-Suarez JM, Regolo L, Sánchez-González C, Capocasa F, Xiao J, Mezzetti B, Battino M. Organic vs conventional plant-based foods: A review. Food Chem. 2022 Jul 30;383:132352. doi: 10.1016/j.foodchem.2022.132352. Epub 2022 Feb 5. PMID: 35182864.
  • Glibowski P. Organic food and health. Rocz Panstw Zakl Hig. 2020;71(2):131-136. doi: 10.32394/rpzh.2020.0110. PMID: 32519524.
  • Baudry J, Assmann KE, Touvier M, Allès B, Seconda L, Latino-Martel P, Ezzedine K, Galan P, Hercberg S, Lairon D, Kesse-Guyot E. Association of Frequency of Organic Food Consumption With Cancer Risk: Findings From the NutriNet-Santé Prospective Cohort Study. JAMA Intern Med. 2018 Dec 1;178(12):1597-1606. doi: 10.1001/jamainternmed.2018.4357. Erratum in: JAMA Intern Med. 2018 Dec 1;178(12):1732. PMID: 30422212; PMCID: PMC6583612.

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