Definition: organic - Extra Nutrition - Brief Article

Muscle & Fitness/Hers, August-Sept, 2002

"Organic foods are grown without the use of persistent and highly toxic pesticides, herbicides and fungicides, but organic should not be construed to mean pesticide-free," says Margaret Wittenberg, vice president of governmental and public affairs for Whole Foods Market Inc. "Organic farmers typically use environmentally friendly methods to keep pest problems under control." Jeff Stier, associate director at the American Council on Science and Health, reports that pesticide residues on fruits and vegetables -- they at the trace levels found on conventional produce or at the even lower levels found on organic foods -- have no negative effect on human health.

More problematic may be the use at agricultural pesticides in the environment and effects on field workers.