Of course, the Guardian would go nuts about the Boy Dave (M)’s statement that organic food is no better nutritionally.
His views were condemned as "patronising" to consumers and "insulting"
to organic farmers by theSoil Association, the organic farmers’
organisation. Its director, Patrick Holden, said: "I actually think it
is rather sad because it suggests that David Miliband is profoundly
ignorant of the benefits that are motivating people to buy organic
food. The industry has grown without the support of the government and
we thought we finally had it on our side. I find it amazing the
minister is being so dismissive." Asked about the benefits claimed for
organic food, Mr Miliband said: "It’s a lifestyle choice that people
can make. There isn’t any conclusive evidence either way."
Peter Melchett, also of the Soil Association, said: "Half the baby food
market is organic. This isn’t just posh people making lifestyle
choices. It’s about people being worried about the quality of the food
they give their babies and worried about the use of pesticides and
antibiotics."
Agreed My Lord, but the question is whether people are being sensible to worry over the use of pesticides and antibiotics.
John Barrow, founder of the Organic Delivery Company, said he
disagreed with Mr Miliband. "I think the general public also disagree,
going by the number of new customers we have every week.
"It’s
not only the taste of organic products but the environmental benefits
and health benefits too. It is not a lifestyle choice, there are health
issues involved. I discovered organic food about 15 years ago when I
had a chronic illness and went to an alternative health practitioner. I
told him I was a vegetarian and he said ‘but your diet’s wrong, you are
not eating organic food’.
"He said I should eat food that is
grown in harmony with the planet and the seasons. I did and within a
month, my problem had gone."
Really? Anecdote is now evidence?
However, a new study shows that a pint of organic milk has on average
68% more omega 3 fatty acids, which are vital for normal brain
functioning, than conventional milk.
Indeed, and this is not a direct effect of being organic. It’s a side effect of planting clover in the pastures to fix the nitrogen.
Leave a Reply