Is Organic Really Better?: John Swartzberg interview

[octavoch]

Poisonous mushrooms can be organic as well are we going to eat those? We just need to be smart in what we eat and educate ourselves more. I'm not defending the use of pesticides or chemicals in our food, but lets be clear that not because something says its organic its good.

[myndy86]

@octavoch Certified organic food has to be approved by a certification body, in many countries the certification body is the government itself. I am not aware of any certification body that would allow the sale of organic poisonous mushrooms. If you are aware of someone selling organic poisonous mushrooms, please contact your local government official responsible for food safety, because it is most likely illegal to sell organic poisonous mushrooms for food in your area.

[userduuude]

it won't be long when we'll be looking back at some of today's pop pseudoscience and laughing.

[maardza4]

No facts in this video whatsoever. I could ask my alcoholic neighbour whats the difference between organic and nonorganic and he would probably say the same. Of course that it's not proven that pesticides are dangerous to human health, because all these major corporations have bought theyr way in, it's just like with the oil companies. How can you tell me that chemicals that destroys soil and that were being used in ww2 are good for me? wtf? really? Think! T H I N K !

[jamisonbrooks]

In vegetables there are trace minerals that has been proven. But if those minerals where not in the grown then the plaint can't take them up. And so organic is healthier in that way but the only thing that makes it cost more is the fact that the USDA and FDA makes organic farms get certified as an organic farm so there for the farmer has to make more money to stay certified.

[myndy86]

@jayhaoliao What studies? Can you reference them? The studies I have seen suggest it about 25% on average.

[canrsiegrl]

this guys an idiot...naturally grown food is DEFINITELY better than PESTICIDE AND INSECTISIDE SPRAYED foods...please..

[cuda1179]

@canrsiegrl

Organic foods are also sprayed with pesticides. These are just "organic" pesticides. The "organic" pesticides are basically the same stuff everyone used in the 1950's, until better synthetic alternatives were introduced. The difference is that the synthetics worked better, so you used MUCH less of them. Overall, small amounts of synthetic are healthier that large amounts of "organic" pesticides.

[canrsiegrl]

@cuda1179 you better get your information right....you dont know what you are talking about...

[cuda1179]

@canrsiegrl

 Yes, I do know what I am talking about. Both the Government and independent labs will tell you the same thing. I also have first hand experience. My Uncle is a Farmer and his neighbor grows organic foods. My uncle looked into it and found out what he needed to do to grow organic too.

[myndy86]

@cuda1179 52% of organic farmers use no pesticides whatsoever and those that do generallu use significantly less and more biological pest control like crop rotation, crop cover, predatory insects etc. than conventional. "organic produce carries significantly fewer pesticide residues than conventional produce." nal.usda.gov/afsic/pubs/faq/Bu­yOrganicFoodsC.shtml

[myndy86]

@cuda1179 Organic does not use synthetic pesticides/hebicides/fungicide­s which is what was mostly used in the 1950's such as DDT. Several pesticides, etc. used by conventional farmers in the 1950's such as 4-chloro-2-methyl phenoxyacetic acid (MCPA) are still being used by conventional farmers today. It is also a misconception that most synthetic pesticides, etc. work better than organic pesticides. If this were true then why would genetically modified crops use Bt(an organic pesticide)?

[Bllackguard666]

@canrsiegrl Prove it. You can't, because "organic" is a marketing scam. Look at how the politicians, and lobbyists have gotten "once organic" brands to abandon that practice and also gotten major companies to hop on the "organic" band wagon. It is quite proven the opposite that "organic" is healthier. It's just more expensive, so you can feel separate and special, and eating "organic" makes you look smarter. But, it's a fraud.

[BigWhistleBlower]

This guy work for MONSANTO for sure. I wonder how much he got paid ...

[kmasciotti]

Holy idiots batman. The ORGANIC produce I purchase is just slightly more expensive than shi$#y conventional. Get your facts straight.

[jayhaoliao]

@kmasciotti 40% more expensive according to studies

[47represent]

organic is better for you, a choice between organic and non organic there shouldn't be a choice, everything should be organic, it should be a basic human right

[cuda1179]

@47represent

Shouldn't be a choice? I thought that Choice and Freedom were the MAIN basic human rights.

[Monkiedee]

This guy sounds like he work the NWO. There are legit studies and research that proves this guy have no clue what he talking about. "you can wash the pesticide out anyways" LOL .. that is the most rediculous thing i've ever heard .. LOL. RAISE UR HAND IF U TRUELY BELIEVE THIS GUY IS PAID TO POST THIS MISINFORMATION to the public.

[Quiet1]

wouldn't the fruit cost cheaper, because the farmers don't have to spend so much money on pesticides, since they don't believe in putting them in the soil ...what's the deal with them being more expensive???? TELL ME THAT

[eurohim]

@Quiet1 No, GMOs are immune to testing regulations and are subsidized to a greater extent thus they don't have to charge as much. Why is this? Because they (Monsanto) run the FDA. Isn't it nice to know that even if you go pure organic, you get to pay your taxes so prices are lower for the stuff you're not buying?

[xinecallaw]

Lastly, if your a fellow Organic Food consumer, you need to pay VERY, and I mean VERY close attention to ANY bill that has anything to do with food, farms, produce, ect. (food stuff). Monsanto has already tried to get their lobbyist to get a bill past that will deem organic food as unsafe/hazardous, so it can be taken off market. They are even trying to make it a crime to have a fucking garden in your backyard. Lord forbid you give any away, you will get arrested MONSANTO YOUR NOTHING BUT CROOKS

[xinecallaw]

Also, with non-organic, you can not trust what you see,feel, or smell to determine how old it is. Just like the carbon monoxide used by beef industry to make 20 year old beef look fresh. Non-organics do the same thing. They say its safe, nothing to worry about. HOW MANY FUKING TIMES, have we been told that, then 1, or 2, or 4 years later you see a freaking commercial telling you the health implications of what they told you was safe and to call them to get you share of the class action lawsuit.

[xinecallaw]

WTF, who in the hell would take this dumbass seriously. Pesticides okay? Some give this man his Dumbass Certificate. Primarily because he OBVIOUSLY has NEVER tried out organic foods. I say this because is he did, then he would have mention the fact that they spoil faster than non-organic. Then again people like me would flip that back in his face. Oranic foods are not sprayed with preservtives, or wax, this does stop spoilage, but the old it is the lowere its nutritional value *read next post

[FDIGUY828]

Are you going to listen to a man who has not seen a dentist since

[GhstNote66]

He sounds like a Monsanto PR regurgitation

[salamonetalton]

if you look at all the people who believe this i know a lot of vegans personally who are prone to sickness more so than a meat eater.a human being needs food from all 5 food groups.if possible.you can let this stuff consume your whole life.have common sense of course but this organic thing is no more safe than conventional.look into it for yourself.

[FishyMoe]

the biggest problems are that synthetic fertilisers are finite and the amount of petroleum used to transport, process, etc food is getting rediculous. Here in Australia we export as much butter as we inport. Massive waste of energy just for money.

[ralph435z]

It's almost like he's never read Zizek!

[MajesticChicken]

How about the rivers being contaminated by the pesticides, and I can't eat the larger fish because of it. You can't wash off the pesticides half of the time, the skins on fruits and vegetables absorb them -apples are the worst. I understand the cost issue he's talking about, but I don't buy the "no clear proof" etc. about pesticides and their danger. Ever seen a pesticide container? ...skull and crossbones or hazard placard right on the jug.

[emjate77]

He hit the nail on the head when he said, "...well, there's not a lot of good evidence that those pesticides are dangerous, at least to the people who are consuming those products." I agree, the people consuming any product - organic or conventional - are all subject to the testing going on by chemical companies and their D.C. lobbyists. They have more money and louder voices. The scientific studies such as the ones showing pesticides in amniotic fluid have not been widely circulated!

[canascot02]

and remember the farmer has to pay for certification and also since there is not a lot of demand it's more expensive... if the government made it mandatory for it to be organic the price would drop drastically

[canascot02]

sure there isn't much proof now, but 10 years down the road when they tell us that one of the pesticides is cancer causing we'll be sorry, so why not be safe than sorry and just eliminate all the synthetic chemicals. personally i don't mind spending an extra couple of bucks to have better tasting, chemical free produce.

[Uuuuurk]

@canascot02 what do u base that the synthetic chemicals are worse then the natural chemicals?

they might aswell tell us that one of the natural pesticides are cancer causing..

better tasting is only in your mind.

[canascot02]

@Uuuuurk thing is they don't use natural pesticides, they don't use pesticides at all. and if you dare say yah they do! yes in the USA they do but I'm ducking Canadian and I don't buy your shity USDA organic

[canascot02]

@Uuuuurk oh and the better tasting is not just in my mind.... I have taste buds, I know. When I bite into a nonorganic cellery stalk I taste chemicals, when it's organic, I taste, well, I taste cellery

[Uuuuurk]

@canascot02 you decide before you eat that it will taste better or worse depending on what it is. your mind makes it taste better or worse, its like wine, if you tell someone how much more exclusive it is, it will taste better for that person. chemicals are not bad... the air u breath aswell as yourself are 100% chemicals.

[whatthewhat11]

what a douche

[CBasie2856]

lol "fruits and vegetables"

strict vegetarian

this guy sucks! you need meat in diet. Cannot give credit to this vegetarian.. AsSWhoLe!!!

[joshua246810]

who the fuck is this guy. he sounds like hes either unemformed or payed to back gmo's. hes right about conventonal food it isen't that bad, but gmo's are not safe and most convetional food may allready be and is gmo. theirs usually no way of knowing the difference in a lot of food. if the produce has four digits its conventonal. thats why its a much better idea to buy organic and if money is a problem grow a garden.

[Uuuuurk]

@joshua246810 theres no proof that gmo is not safe, its just something that hippies claim because they dont know shit.

[joshua246810]

@Uuuuurk hope your right, besides the truth that gmo corn fed cows, also reguler corn fed cows, give you a chance to cetch the new ecoli stran which comes from their crap encrusted hides from factory farms and the run off goes to the crops like spinage.

[canascot02]

@Uuuuurk there doesn't need to be proof, we are just playing it safe, i have money and I am entitled to spend more on organics if I want to and by no means must I justify my reasoning, no'one is forcing you to buy it so what's the big deal

[Uuuuurk]

@canascot02 if you belive in organic well buy it im not arguing that u shouldent! however plants produce theire own poisons and will atleast in theory produce more of its own poisons if no pesticides are being used. i come from swe, our organic farmers dosent use pesticides. but if i buy organic food like bananas that comes from abroad theres a big chans they had used pesticides.

[monticae]

Does he thin we're idiots??? He's a frigenn Lyer!!!

[lunadormir]

lead is naturally occuring in the environment...mercury naturally exists in the environment....you dumbass

[BusinessButterfly]

wash Pesties? is he kidding..

[kakmolnia]

Ok i challenge all of you....go to walmart and buy a plum. Than go to an organic store and buy an organic plum and put them side by side and taste the difference. This might blow your mind

[BusinessButterfly]

is not of what the taste says is what the inside says the old sayings are very true not the external is what is internal and what it does when going in...

We are biological creatures this is the GOLDEN LAW all that enters must enter an exit .... Birth comes from an exit womb SIR is all energy in the end... what the fruit went through Sir.. means allot

[kakmolnia]

ok i was just making a point klown... taste does make a difference...organic actually is not only better for you but tastes a lot better...what are you even arguing about...why dont you go practice safe sex and go fk urself mam

[kakmolnia]

and everyone notice how he says "may" not be instead of the are not. What a joke...fat is not bad for you either ...MSG's are bad, high fructose and lack of nutrients are bad...organic is an obvious choice and yes do research...real research not just listen to this idiot

[Aspenly]

Many different people back up what this guy says. I think it's YOU that has neglected to do research and you are just making assumptions based on your insecurities and lack of knowledge on the chemicals used in the food industry. Do some research on the medical side of things. Many people have, and are getting sick (and in some cases dying) because of organic food, not to mention the decreased harvests will eventually lead to insufficiant quantities of food for our increasing population.

[kakmolnia]

Ok listen Mr.German retard speaker...cigarets are also not bad for you in small quantity. ANd do not cause cancer and disease right away. They kill you after a long period of time just like all the crap you eat daily...think about it and use common sense people

[beccabowmeow]

I also agree that people should listen to his arguements. Being open-minded is an important skill to have. Buying organic food may not be the best solution for all people's lifestyle. Additionally, I think itf people would actually do some research concerning this in scientific journals, then they would find that he is actually right.

[PointySponge]

People should take the time to listen to his arguments, instead of making a blanket statements like he is retarded. He is making the point that for many lower socioeconomic status people, it would be much better for them to use their limited income to buy more fruits and vegetables. He would probably agree that pesticides are a huge environmental problem as well as a major occupational hazard/carcinogen. I would say that being so fervent that you can't listen to other ideas is bad.

[Kaede069]

"pesticides have not ever been shown to be dangerous for human health..." OMG such a RETARD!! In case some people would like to know, pesticides were identified by a National Cancer Institute study as a likely cause of elevated rates of cancers among farmers. Farmers using pesticides are at higher risk than the general population for certain cancers like non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, skin melanomas, leukemia, and stomach, prostate, & brain cancers! Wake up people and stop listening to this BS!

[ShellySports]

He must have a significant financial interest in non-organic produce. What a joke.

[mmilkyway2012]

Ignorance....... Hes saying Dont buy Organic Beef. eggs Ect. When its Still Bad For You.. Fuck With The Veggies and Fruits.. Heres a Hint:: Anything Cooked Is Poisonous to the Body. Look That One Up/

[zorandubajic]

Go fuck your self, you retard.... All of this that you talking about is nonsence!!!!

[renavatio1947]

You fucking piece of shit...I don't have much money, but I buy organic!!! You must be getting money from the Fucking Monsanto Company!!  Go fuck yourself!!!

[linsildiedar]

He sounds sooo dumb!!! listen to how much he contradicts himself!

[x1101011x]

Different species are different.

What's lethal to one creature may be harmless to another. Try feeding a dog chocolate or a couple onions and see what happens...

Most creatures that pesticides are designed to kill are built very differently from humans. These differences are exploited to keep the bugs dead and us alive.

If we didn't use pesticides, we wouldn't have enough food to keep (all of us) alive.

[goldie6175]

WHAT AN IDIOT!!!!

[neffg13]

great teeth bud!

[DarkXAce]

Just look at the man's teeth! no wonder he eats non organic!

[XnightboiX]

this character isn't even convincing HIMSELF of this B.S. ha ha ha

[RastaBot]

This guy prolly works for Monsanto! Bumboklatt!

[DarkXAce]

LOL!

[asajerob]

What he's saying isn't actually incorrect. However he's leaving a lot out. Everyone concerns themselves so much with pesticides that most people do not think of the other inorganic things that are used on our agriculture. The common fertilizers used on inorganic plants are void of trace minerals and they kill all microorganisms that make food nutritious. These "chemical" nutrients are focused specifically on size, speed and what the plant looks like, instead of the overall nutritious qualities.

[subsonictonic]

I'd rather eat organics due to the fact that they are grown on sustainable farms which don't use artificially produced chemicals and hormones. This prevents pesticides from making their way into the ecosystem and causing long term risk to the fauna and flora that has earned its right to be on the earth. It's not all about YOU. Think outside the box that is your ego.

[NewKreature517]

There are so many errors in this guy's statements.. if I worked for Monsanto.. I would almost hire him as a spokesman.

[Becksdad0803]

@NewKreature517 He's hired! Big AG's posterchild!

[NewKreature517]

@Becksdad0803 Thanks for the response.

[subiesvx]

@NewKreature517

You do know who "This Guy" is, don't you? He's an MD who is Chair or the editorial board of the University of California, Berkeley Wellness Newsletter Published by the UC School of Public Health. Please point out some of the numerous errors he made... please be specific and cite some of your qualifications so that we know who is commenting.

[adam64897]

lol, pesticides (aka toxins) aren't bad for you according to this guy...what a goofball.

[Greenmarine6]

(continued)... that way there is no one to blame for bad food but your self. I agree with NSV102A to many people today are incompetent and are unable to do anything for them selfs or anyone else. I have fired many people with good college educations because incompetence and work ethic is a huge factor. I'd rather hire someone with good work ethics than someone who is educated they can always be trained or sent to school in the long run it's better for the company.

[Greenmarine6]

Grow your own veggies you lazy people. Get up off the damn couch or get away from that stupid video game and do something for your self. I grow all my own veggies it really isn't hard. Just takes (are you ready for this..sit down) a little extra work. Some of you lazy over paid office workers could benefit from growing your own food. Instead of rushing to the market after work you could just go to your backyard..you only need a small space for some good veggies.

[matama666]

he must eat a lot of pesticide to have that ugly face lol

[ExplicitContent81]

i wounder how much this guy is getting paid to say this bullshit

[adam64897]

he's probably a non-organic grocery store owner.

[Axivah]

Nicotine is a natural pesticide. Does it mean it's good for us. Humm, maybe I should start smoking again! (Nicotine is highly addictive and causes cancer, yet cigarette maker add nicotine to make you buy more and they are still allowed to do so)

[canascot02]

@Axivah I don't undersatand your point, they don't use ANY pesticides in organics, atleast they don't in Canada and I'm Canadian so don't start talking about USDA because I don't buy that shit

[DaShadowInc]

@Axivah coal mines cause cancer etc, but nicotine has never ever ever ever been linked to cancer, yes it causes heart disease, emphysema and may complicate pregnancy but it has never ever been linked to causing cancer. Every weed smoker grows there pot without it being organic and not one has died from it ...

[47represent]

@Axivah cigarettes contain alot of other shite too tho to be fair

[jambog82]

@Axivah Nicotine doesn't cause cancer. In fact it can reduce chances of breast cancer in some women as well as risk of ulcerative colitis and can help patients with forms of epilepsy and OCD. Other than being very addictive, nicotine has a lot of positive effects. It is all the other chemicals in cigarettes that give people cancer, but nicotine in no way is a cause of cancer in itself. My point is, make sure what you say is correct, otherwise you are no better than those organic food nutjobs!

[NSV102A]

Now this is the most logical explanation of reality I have seen yet on this subject. Kudos.

[b22uk]

well i never took u seriously in the first place buddy, let people make their own mind up then, im not against organic, its good for some farms to find their niche in the market, just dont market it as healthier with no evidence, thats the only thing that pisses me off.

[bassplyr0]

Even if organic now does have "certain" pesticides on it, its still closer to nature and better for you than commercially grown food.

Thats really all I was trying to say. Sorry you couldn't see that.

[bthorold22]

peole dont just create farms and start growing organic, your living in la la land buddy!!!!!!!!!!! ur the one who has been brainwashed!! how easily led u must be, try having ur own conceince for a change.

[bassplyr0]

Ok, I'm done with this argument.. its gotten a little old, and I've come to realize I'll never get my point across with you. You've been believing something too long for to try and change your opinion on anything. Which quite frankly is fine with me.

It was people who don't know who I was trying to inform, since you're just so good at making it sound like the pesticides used aren't harmful to the bit.

[b22uk]

youve not said anything i have not heard before from other peole with similar ideads about the world, didnt listen then wont listen now, im surrounded by organic and conventional farms, i know whats going on from my own experience, your arguments are what u have read or watched.

[bassplyr0]

But ofcourse in todays world, now that "organic" is getting more popular, you have these fat cats don't want to miss out on any money that could possibly be theirs.. Therefore creating half ass farms that sell half ass food labeled as organic, just barley meeting the (now lowered) certification standards. Sad thing.

[bthorold22]

the sad thing is you dont understand where your food comes from and how it is grown.

Americas health problems come from eating your mcdonalds and ready meals all day. if u ate what came from the farms as they are harvested then there is no problem and theres fuck all evidence to prove otherwise.

[bthorold22]

now if u drink alcohol organic or normal which is a known carcengenic then you are inputing parts per hundreds, so to be honest if anyone argues apart pesticide usage and then drinks alcohol is contridicting himself.

anyway you eat what u want and il do the same!! good day!

[bthorold22]

nobody wants to grow organic, farms are switching back- it is a waste of time! sorry!, u two couldnt farm a window box between u.

[bassplyr0]

Cheating your way into the farming world using poisons to grow food, so you dont have to do the extra work it TAKES, isnt farming. Maybe if you didnt spend so much damn time on here trying to "knowledge" people, you could spend it on growing food the right way. Go suck your daddies cock

[bthorold22]

oh well. cheers for that. insulting my family to get your point across, very clever!, well done little boy!.

[bassplyr0]

I guess now were even after you called me a wanker, a "tosser" and then insulted my knowledge.

[bassplyr0]

besides that was purely intended for you, not your family.

[bthorold22]

ok, organic farming uses pesticdes,as much as conventional farming, just some are not allowed, i use some pesticdes that say suitable for organic, we go sprayin on a crop maybe 3 times while its growing, one tank of spray which is maybe 1 to 3 litre pesticde and 3500 litre water does 50 acres at a time, very very minimal amount of pesticde goes on food. parts per million,

[bassplyr0]

Yup and these frauds should be put out of business. The true definition of "organic" means there is no use of pesticides, herbicides, polluted water, soil, or the food being put through any unnatural process before being sold.

[bthorold22]

soaringeagle, theres no point debating with you because you are clueless, bassplyr has a bit more sense but still a wanker, i conclude u two are a couple of tossers!! 

little knowledge is dangerous- how true that is with you two!

[bassplyr0]

You must think you got all the knowledge in the world because your daddys a farmer. I was curious to know why you were so committed to telling people organic is over priced. Hah!

Grow up. Im sorry your dad still supports your ass.

[bthorold22]

noddy, when did i tell anyone organic was overpriced!! dumbass,

[SoaringEagle5344]

This filthy corporate shill propagandist conveniently leaves out the rest of harmful shit in non-organic foods. Besides pesticides, non-organic foods also contain food additives, sewage sludge, GMO, radiation, and grown w/ chemically ridden fertilizers. Take your big corporate propaganda elsewhere and have someone else suck satan's cock.

[NSV102A]

Yea, you keep pounding that San Francisco bitch line everywhere. "You you you co co corporate sh sh sh shill". Get a job. You fucking modern day bum. This You Tube is a corporation. I see you have no problem here. Hypocrite.

[SoaringEagle5344]

Do an honest day's work and stop living off of daddy's trust fund. You Bush loving whackos are all alike. Not only would you sell your mother to make a buck, you would send her COD. Now get your dirty giant corporate agribusiness out of my food you sick & twisted fuck.

[SoaringEagle5344]

... and furthermore, Youtube was a much more beautiful place before Google bought it and corporatized the hell out of it.

[NSV102A]

So you were fired from a corporation and your one of those disgruntled employees. The "beautiful place" dig gives you away. Incompetence has no place in real world business. I fired many people like you many times and never regretted it.

[SoaringEagle5344]

Fortunately I learned how to make a living w/out ever once having to work for a giant soulless corporation. You on the other hand have lived off of daddy's trust fund your entire life w/out ever doing an honest day's job.

[NSV102A]

I noticed you didn't say a good and rewarding living. A soulless corporation? I worked for some of the worlds largest medical corporations and many people all over the world benefited from our hard work. I am sure you will benefit from my hard work some day too. What have you done for me? Except for bitching.

[SoaringEagle5344]

"Medical corporations=many people benefited"? Gee, a lying soulless corporate shill. What a surprise. The only thing medical corporations do is mask health problems w/ drugs instead of resolving the root issue. If Doctors learned more about nutrition instead of firmly wedging themselves in bed w/ pharmaceutical companies, this country might actually get on track towards a genuine health care system as opposed to what we have now; a disease management system brought to you by corporate greed.

[SoaringEagle5344]

(continued) .... The only thing you benefit is your pocket. You don't give a rat's ass about someone else's health you filthy corporate shill.

[NSV102A]

Your so full of shit, You must believe your own story. They have drugs for that problem you have or you can put a gun in your mouth and pull the trigger. The world will be better for it. Get to answering my question!(What have you done for me!) Or are you a chicken shit! (or is it soaring eagle shit)

[bthorold22]

your right that evidence is shown, i was reading a report from newcastle university about a 18 million pound study, well i suppose if someone was going to give me 18 million pound to prove something id tell them whatever they wanted,

[bthorold22]

copper

[bassplyr0]

There is indeed evidence organic produce is far better than non organic.

It was shown in a study that an organic apple had 300 times the nutritional value than a non organic apple.

A tomato is susposed to have over 50 minerals in it. A non organic tomato was shown to only have 8.

It is definately worth that extra dollar or 2 to buy organic!

Do a little more research before you start brainwashing innocent people.

[bthorold22]

haha, if you say so buddy! just remember 5 percent of the market is all organic is ever going to be!

also i was talking to a organic apple grower who told me opper sulphur and arsenic are allowed in growing organic apples! lovely xx

[bassplyr0]

You have no argument. Its clear as day what the better choice is and I dont need someone like you to try and convince me otherwise. What this guy says in this video is nothing but an opinion, nothing based on facts. I can assure you that I've experienced it all on my own, and that I feel better eating organic food. I use to get bad headaches often, I never get any anymore. I use to get sick all the time, I can now be around people who are and never even catch a symptom.

[bassplyr0]

And the fact you pointed out that only 5 percent of the market is organic proves my point even more. I've met people who dont even know what organic is and they're the sickest people I know.

[b22uk]

good video, its the only one giving a balanced opinion.

the problem seems people dont fully understand how food is grown and the amount of work that goes into producing healthy crops.

Organic food isnt ever going to take over from conventional food, it will struggle to make 5% of the market, the weather in uk has hopefully woken a few people up about food maybe shouldnt be taken for granted

[shawndturner]

The increase of cancer is due to american diet. We eat 80% of our diet processed. We should be eating 80% whole foods. There is no difference between ORGANIC fertilizer and Synthetic. All nutrients must be water-soulable before a plant can use it.

[bthorold22]

also, if you think your getting no chemicals if you buy organic, you should just go ask your local organic farmer what chemicals he is allowed to use! you might be in for a shock!

because we cannont grow food without chemicals, or do you antipesticide people have a soloution for blight, caterpillers, locus etc etc, im afraid good intentions will not work!

[CaliforniaConnected]

Check out the description of this video for a link to California Connected's newsroom blog entry on the topic.

[bthorold22]

the pesticides used today will hardly kill greenfly in a cabbage crop, so i very much doubt there going to hurt a human being. also, if i go spray a 20 acre field of cabbage for example with pesticide, within maybe 10 minutes of doing so there will be pigeons hares and rabbits helping themselves to these plants, and as i drive around 2000 acre of veg i am yet to see any of these animals dead from doing so! anyway you eat your poison and il eat mine.

[bassplyr0]

If thats the case and they "hardly kill", why waste all that time and effort putting it on the food in the first place?

All you are fools including the saggy fuck who made this video. This is pure common since. Take an apple, pump it with chemicals after it loses all its natural flavor from those "harmelss" pesticides, rub it in wax, and tell me you'll eat it.

I suspose you think tap water is just as good as purified water too? Not to mention cheaper.

[loeverate]

naturally occuring pesticides are not equal to synthetic chemicals. what does he think is causing the rapid increase in cancer diagnosis

[bthorold22]

you think pesticides in conventional crops are increasing cancer?! tell me why you think that and your evidence.

do you know pesticides is not some new idea? there have been used in farming for last 60 years beacuse we couldnt produce enough food, and yet today life expectancy has never been higher.

i think that the increase in cancer is less to do with eating fresh healthy conventional food and more to do with eating junk food.

[loeverate]

Acetochlor has been shown to induce expression of thyroid hormone. The food dye Violet #1 used for 2 decades to stamp every piece of meat sold in the US was banned after found to be carcinogenic. All junk foods nowadays contain numerous artificial flavors, colors, and preservatives. The expentancy of life is increased thanks to medical technology. There's no single cause to cancer, but ingesting synthetic chemicals that can act to cause hormonal imbalances only exacerbates this health issue.

[bthorold22]

the expectancy of life is due to medical technology, thats a bit of a broad statment, surely we are not all releying on the medical industry to keep us alive are we?.

people have been using acetochlor for last 30 years or so. how many people have actually had an induced expression of the thyroid hormone?

food is always being tested and made sure to be under any levels that can do any harm.

as for the dye violet, its not relevant to the growing of food, or did you run out of examples?

[loeverate]

The dye example is relevant because it's not just pesticides like acetochlor that are harmful, but synthetic flavors, colors, and preservatives as well. Clearly there's not enough room in a comment to ist 100s of examples. I use that example to point out how people just accept chemicals in their food as harmless because the company selling it says its harmless, when often the toxicology tests done only look at LD50 and not low levels of exposure over long periods of time.

[bthorold22]

im talking about the producing of food, the added colours etc are just that "added".

as for exposure, i would think the tests are not done because the extremely low levels will not cause any problems over time. which relates to life expectancy being higher, surely if these pesticides were so dangerous we would be dying from them, but we are not.

[loeverate]

Well I am concerned about all man-made chemicals not found naturally produced in nature. I see that you believe that toxic pesticides are safe to ingest and that I am not going to convince you otherwise. If you are interested in seeing this issue from my perspective, then I would suggest you read the book The Hundred-Year Lie by Randall Fitzgerald.

[TheGiantRobot]

Actually, Loeverate is right, we are dying from something. Cancers, thyroid diseases, Alzheimer's, muscular dystrophies, and autism have all increased, and are dramatically higher in the U.S. than they are in countries with less chlorine/fluorine agents in their food and water. Even though you can usually survive cancer now because of our incredible technology, life expectancy has just dropped for the first time in centuries.

[bassplyr0]

How could you even say that? Look around..how many people have some sort of health problem around you? How many people are on medication? Everyone is dying from unnatural causes. Just because something doesn't kill you after you consume it, doesnt mean its not harmful. I think if someone ate an apple that killed them, people would be suspicious and that farm would be sued. You can bet overtime it does its damage, but by then no one expects it to be the problem!

[Boucrate]

i rather eat lest and encourage farmers and producers who respect nature then the others that respect only there profit.we eat too mush anyhow! that poor man is just tryng to be intelligent. it's not it fault he's just another sold out.and he dare's telling us how to feed ourself! pity..

[lubom416]

sold his soul. see you in hell boy.

[bizprogram]

This person speaking here got no clue at all on organic food! Most of the people would tell you the taste difference with the eyes closed! Plus the chemicals that would make his kids muttants

[ShieldLessLink]

I don't believe this dude what's so every what he just said is bullshit. If you keep eating unhealthy you can pretty much die from Colon Cancer the best method to doing a Colon Cleansing is eating Organic foods. Also I'm sure you all read Kevin (I forgot his last name) "Natural Cures They DOn't Want You To Know About" I read the hole book and I agree with him 100%.

[iateababy123]

(organic = carbon based substance) = the shit on the inside of your chimeny... organic + food = eating the stuff on the inside of your chimeny. Pesticides... are most likely carbon based, and therefore organic, cigarette smoke, is very much organic. The exaust from your car = CARBON monoxide + CARBON dioxide + dihydrogen monoxide, and O2, and is therefore... organic. Organic food is nothing but a crazed communist movement.

[BryanTayara]

WE ARE ALL CARBON BASED!Mix the carbon-based air we breath with the poison your hummer pumps out...and you have a carbon-based POISON! USDA Organic is free from poisons...therefore HEALTHIER. Obviously you have never eaten organic produce, there are no signs of black ash...moron. You really should've stayed awake during elementary school chemistry!

[kristofferdub]

laughable man! ahahahahah. bush league sucka stuff. i'll see you next wednesday

[Smetch]

This is retarded. Non-organic is bad for the body. The pesticides & herbicides seep into the produce, you can't wash it off. Would you spray raid on an organic apple & then wash it off? No! Unfortunatly this would be healthier than a non-organic apple. This is blatent propaganda!

[TheGiantRobot]

Yeah, where did this guy learn about pesticides, or nature for that matter? Wash it off? Not a lot of good evidence pesticides are dangerous to consume? Organic fat is still fat? What's that supposed to mean? Fat stores more toxins than just about any other food - does he not know that? And what's with this theory that people buying organic won't buy enough food? Someone doesn't reach for straws like that without an agenda.

[Travistyyy81]

It might not be bad directly but it is dangerous indirectly, through destruction of the environment. Pesticides degrade soils and kill or injure flora and fauna. Read Silent Spring. You can't wash away pesticides, it soaks to the inner layers. Yes, ethics and local are important but he should condemn pesticide use. Organic food is not overpriced, modern agriculture is largely subsidized, cutting the cost at the store. You pay the subsidies in the form of taxes!

[Cannomore]

This guy is clearly muddying the water -for what purpose I hardly know. Who do you do work for John? Peticide control? Hmmmm? As a doctor at the University of Berkeley, specialized in the area of infectous disease, John does know that organic food is better for the body, the health, and the planet.

[doddsalfa]

one more fool.

[turquoisenet86]

this is very good....the issue here, is that we seem ot need lables to tell us what we're doing right. this is on e thing i've been loking at lately,too, and it has been very frustrating to find 'truth". him asking what the real question is is a good point(ie, helth, or low environmental impact). the whole local produce thing, i think, is just as important as the oganic/grown sustainably aspect, as they are interrelated as well.