Pediatricians: Organic foods may not be better

Michelle Healy, USA TODAY

The jury is still out on whether eating organic foods offers kids greater health benefits than conventional foods, concludes a report out today by the American Academy of Pediatrics.

Based on an analysis of scientific studies surrounding organic produce, dairy products and meat, the report says that the health advantages are inconclusive.

"Current evidence does not support any meaningful nutritional benefits or deficits from eating organic compared with conventionally grown foods, and there are no well-powered human studies that directly demonstrate health benefits or disease protection as a result of consuming an organic diet," it says.

The report does cite lower pesticides in organic produce and potentially lower risk of exposure to drug-resistant bacteria, but the needed long-term studies do not yet exist to show that eating pesticide-free food makes people healthier, says Joel Forman, an associate professor of pediatrics at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York and co-author of the report, in November's issue of the journal Pediatrics.

It was released at the academy's meeting in New Orleans. "We don't really have a 100% answer," says Forman.

A study released in September in the journal Annals of Internal Medicine concluded that organic products have no significant nutritional advantage over conventional foods, even though consumers often pay more than them. For that report, researchers looked at 240 studies conducted from 1966 to 2011 covering nutrient and contaminant levels in foods.

Sales of organic food and beverages totaled $29.22 billion in 2011, according to the Organic Trade Association in Brattleboro, Vt.

Organic foods make up 12% of all U.S. fruits and vegetable sales, nearly 6% of the market for dairy product sales, and only 0.375% of meat, fish and poultry sales, says the group.

In a statement, Christine Bushway, president of the trade group, agreed that additional scientific research is needed to improve understanding of long-term health effects from dietary choices. But she added, "It is clear that organic presents a valuable option for consumers who want to lower their family's exposure to pesticides and antibiotic-resistant bacteria, and reduces risk to farm workers and their families from exposure to toxic pesticides while maintaining agricultural productivity."

Organic or not, parents should focus on getting their children to eat a diet rich in fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and low-fat or fat-free dairy products, says Forman. The health benefits of eating that kind of diet "are very well proven and we need to do that first," he says.

If opting for organic, get "the most bang for your buck" by selecting organic versions of foods that retain the most pesticide residue -- such as apples and grapes, Forman recommends. Save money on items such as corn and onions, which have the least amount.The report cites organic shoppers' guides like those provided by Consumer Reports and the Environmental Working Group as good references for consumers.