Organic food is no healthier than non-organic food, claims a major new study commissioned by the FSA.
The nutritional content of organic and non-organic foods was "broadly comparable", according to researchers from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine who analysed 162 research papers on the benefits of organic.
"There is currently no evidence to support the selection of organically over conventionally produced foods on the basis of nutritional superiority," said lead researcher Dr Alan Dangour. A small number of differences in nutrient content were found in crops and livestock, but these were "unlikely to be of any public health relevance", he said.
Up to 45% of consumers believe organic food is healthier than conventionally farmed produce, according to a recent YouGov survey. The FSA study will be another hammer blow for a category that has seen sales fall 10.9% over the past year (see Focus on Organic ).
However, said FSA director of consumer choice and dietary health Gill Fine, it should not discourage people from eating organic food. "Ensuring people have accurate information is absolutely essential in allowing us all to make informed choices about the food we eat," she said.
The nutritional content of organic and non-organic foods was "broadly comparable", according to researchers from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine who analysed 162 research papers on the benefits of organic.
"There is currently no evidence to support the selection of organically over conventionally produced foods on the basis of nutritional superiority," said lead researcher Dr Alan Dangour. A small number of differences in nutrient content were found in crops and livestock, but these were "unlikely to be of any public health relevance", he said.
Up to 45% of consumers believe organic food is healthier than conventionally farmed produce, according to a recent YouGov survey. The FSA study will be another hammer blow for a category that has seen sales fall 10.9% over the past year (see Focus on Organic ).
However, said FSA director of consumer choice and dietary health Gill Fine, it should not discourage people from eating organic food. "Ensuring people have accurate information is absolutely essential in allowing us all to make informed choices about the food we eat," she said.
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