Eating organic food could have benefits for health, university researchers have found. Dated: 1 August 2007 By Graeme Whitfield, The Journal
A study by Dr Kirsten Brandt at Newcastle University used analysis of organic carrots, apples and potatoes to reveal greater concentrations of vitamin C and chemicals that can protect the body against heart attacks and cancer.
The research could challenge official UK government guidelines which say that there is no evidence of organic food being healthier than conventional produce.
That guidance led Environment Secretary and South Shields MP David Miliband to say that organic food was a "lifestyle choice", though he later added that he ate organic food because of its taste and environmental benefits. But Dr Brandt's findings will lend scientific weight to the widely-held view that organic food is good for people.
Dr Brandt says, "My research shows that there are benefits. The reason why it's such a grey area is because it's extremely difficult to measure the health benefit in any food; but we can say that if you eat 400 grams of fruit and vegetables per day you would get 20 percent more nutrients in organic food."
The new studies found that organic tomatoes had more vitamin C, beta-carotene and flavonoids, which are known to have benefits in the fight against cancer and heart disease; though they also had less lycopene, which is thought to help prevent skin ageing, diabetes and osteoporosis. Organic apple purée was found to contain more phenols, flavonoids and vitamin C than conventional versions.
Dr Brandt—who her own vegetables—hit the headlines two years ago when she published research that claimed eating carrots could help reduce the risk of cancer.
Sales of organic food rose by 30 percent last year in the UK but until now the health benefits of organic food have been the subject of intense debate, with the Advertising Standards Agency advising against claims of nutritional benefits and the Food Standards Agency cool on those claims.
Peter Melchett, policy director of the organic food pressure group the Soil Association, comments, "There is clear evidence that a range of organic foods contain more beneficial nutrients and vitamins and less of things known to have a detrimental health effect such as saturated fats and nitrates."
(1 September 2008) The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) says food from cloned cattle and pigs is safe, and there are no implications of animal cloning on the environment. One of the key findings...
(30 July 2008) The European Federation of Associations of Health Product Manufacturers (EHPM) said it is ‘reassured’ by a statement from the European Commission that its recently published novel ...
(4 July 2008) Food and nutrition policy consultancy EAS has released its latest, easy-to-follow regulatory guide to help companies launch nutritional products in 10 Asian markets. The guide give...
(1 May 2008) All across the world, populations of Muslim people can be found in almost every society and country. Comprising over a quarter of the world’s 6.4 billion population, or about 1.8 b...
(25 April 2008) Spectrum China LTD announced that its Analytical Laboratory, located in Shanghai Zhang Jiang Hi-Tech Science Park, has received full accreditation by China National Accreditation S...
(1 April 2008) Aroma raw materials are natural or synthetic compounds that have unique taste or smell signatures. In the US, they are generally recognized as safe for human consumption by the FDA...
(20 March 2008) The US Food and Drug Administration has received approval from the US State Department to establish eight full time permanent FDA positions at US diplomatic posts in the People's R...
(1 March 2008) HQ Sustainable Maritime Industries (HQS) has had it products certifi ed organic. The company runs integrated aquaculture and fi sh-processing operations in the pristine island prov...
Germany's METRO Group is making plans to open its first Metro Cash & Carry wholesale store in Kazakhstan in the summer of 2009. The Group officially agreed to the investment with the Government of the Republic of Kazakhstan on Wednesday, a move which will extend METRO's activities to 33 countries.
Trent Ltd, the retail arm of the Tata group in India, is likely to invest around Rs 20billion ( €0.3 billion ) over the next five years in the roll out of 50 Star Bazaar hypermarket stores, according to Indian press reports.
The recent credit crunch has led all the major supermarket chains in the UK to increase promotions of cheap, unhealthy food, according to the country's National Consuner Council (NCC).
Auchan has published half year results for the first time as a result of new European regulations governing transparency. Although there has been a slow-down in mature markets, emerging markets remained buoyant for the French company and as a result sales for the first six months of 2008 were 9.4% higher than in 2007 reaching EUR18.7 billion.
Price promotions and the decision to only partially pass on food price inflation to customers have led to a downturn in second quarter margins for Ahold. Net sales for second quarter 2008 were EUR 5.8 billion, down 0.8% from the same period last year. At constant exchange rates, net sales increased by 7.3%.
Despite the credit crunch, drinks giant, Diageo reports another year of strong organic growth with net sales up 7% and operating profit up 9%. Sales rose to £8.09bn up from £7.48bn last year while sales volumes increased by about 3%.
