To Eat Organic or Conventional

Sometimes the choice to buy organic or conventional produce is not an easy one. It could be that certain items are not available as organic or that the organic variety is too expensive.

The small oval stickers on fruits and vegetables indicate whether or not the item is organic. Conventional produce is labeled with a 4-digit number usually beginning with the number “4”. Organic produce is marked with a 5-digit number starting with “9”. Genetically modified (GMO) produce has a 5-digit code that starts with “8”.

The Environmental  Working Group has created a chart suggesting which produce is better to buy organic based on the amount of pesticides known to be used on the farms. Download a copy of the Shopper’s Guide to Pesticides  you can carry with you to the supermarket.  And if you’re an iphone user, you can download an app. 

If you are interested in other recommendations regarding organic versus non-organic food varieties, or have questions about foods you are consuming on a regular basis, contact me for a complimentary wellness profile.