A September 22 Associated Press article by Christopher Dunagan of The Sun, about mainstream scientists' skepticism about "organic food," quotes ACSH's Dr. Ruth Kava:
Last month, for example, the American Chemical Society sponsored a symposium in Philadelphia titled "Is Organic Food Healthier than Conventional Food?" Nutritionists and toxicologists reported on all the relevant studies they could find.
Ruth Kava, director of nutrition for the American Council on Science and Health, said her review for the symposium found that claims of higher vitamin or mineral content in organic foods were largely unjustified. One study from Rutgers University, commonly cited by organic food proponents, compared one region of the country to another.
"The study wasn't even about organic," she said.
Certainly, many people can eat better, Kava said, and increasing consumption of fruits and vegetables can be an important improvement.
"To me, if someone is concerned about the nutritional value, I would say don't waste your money," she said. "I would hate for people not to eat fruits or vegetables because they are not organic."