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No big advantage to organics for children

A new report from the American Academy of Pediatrics finds no advantage to children eating organic produce as compared to conventional produce. The AAP conducted an extensive analysis of scientific evidence surrounding organic produce, dairy products and meat and concluded that while the organic produce may contain lower pesticide levels and organic meat is less likely to be contaminated with drug-resistant bacteria, “there is no evidence that consuming an organic diet leads to improved health or lower risk of disease.”

The report stresses that “What’s most important is that children eat a healthy diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains and low-fat or fat-free dairy products whether those products are conventional or organic foods.”

Dr. Janet Silverstein, endocrinologist at the University of Florida in Gainesville and one of the lead authors of the report says many families have a limited food budget, “and we do not want families to choose to consume smaller amounts of more expensive organic foods and thus reduce their overall intake of healthy foods like produce.”

The study was published in Pediatrics online on Monday. A recent Stanford University study also found that while exposure to pesticides may be reduced with organics, the levels found in conventional produce is well within safety limits.

Read more from the AAP here:

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