Conventional thinking is that organic foods cost more, but are no better for you than conventional foods. Numerous studies have proven that organic foods are better, and now a new study in the journal Public Library of Science adds to these prior findings. Researcher John Reganold, professor of soil science at Washington State University, conducted a comprehensive analysis of strawberries, both commercial and organic. Here is what Reganold and his team found: Organic strawberries contain far more antioxidants, vitamin C and beneficial polyphenolic compounds than conventional strawberries; and they have a longer shelf life. In addition, organic strawberries taste better overall, in terms of sweetness and general strawberry flavor. The soils were also measured. The organic soils tested extremely rich in key nutrients, enzymes and biological and chemical elements that were lacking in conventional fields. The study also revealed that organic produce can be raised with the same, or ev…

When Big Business Enters Organic Food: Why Labels Don’t Always Tell the Full Story The organic food movement began with a simple promise: cleaner food, fewer chemicals, and greater transparency. But as demand for organic products has surged, so has corporate interest—and that has complicated the picture for consumers. Today, some products marketed as “organic” may not reflect the values or practices people expect, especially when large corporations enter the space and distribution systems lag behind product changes. How Mislabeling Can Happen Investigations by The Cornucopia Institute, a nonprofit that advocates for organic integrity and small farmers, have highlighted how barcode and classification issues can lead to consumer confusion. In several cases, products that had lost organic certification were still placed on shelves alongside organic items because: The barcode was never updated Retailers reasonably assumed the products remained organic Shelf p…