Organic Food and Contamination

The supporters of organic farming claim that this method produces healthier and safer food products because of the low and controlled use of natural pesticides. But critics of this method argue that organic products can be less safe compared with non-organic food. They justify this view with the fact that organic products are more exposed to food-borne diseases and biological contaminants. Particularly, critics say that manure might contain mycotoxins from molds or human pathogens. According to them, the use of organic materials in the production process could contaminate the crops.

A French study, which evaluated both conventional and organic food between 1999 and 2000, warned that biological toxins present in certain organic products such as wheat and apples should be monitored closely. It must be noted that food contamination usually occurs due to unhygienic storage and handling. It can also happen due to the use of contaminated water. But so far, no concrete evidence linking food contamination to organic farming has been found.