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Monday, October 22, 2012

The Salt

Docs Say Choose Organic Food To Reduce Kids' Exposure To Pesticides

Parents now have more advice to consider when it comes to choosing organic foods. Here, Theo Shriver, 6, weighs organic produce at the Puget Consumers Co-op in Seattle.

October 22, 2012 It's important for kids to eat a variety of fruits and vegetables, America's pediatricians say, but there are fewer pesticides and a potentially lower risk of exposure to drug-resistant bacteria in organic produce, if you can afford it.

Summary

Tuesday, September 04, 2012

The Salt

Why Organic Food May Not Be Healthier For You

A shopper surveys the produce at Pacifica Farmers Market in Pacifica, Calif., in 2011.

September 4, 2012 Even though organic food has less pesticide residue, a new review of several recent studies finds scant evidence that it has more nutrients or fewer risky bacteria than conventionally grown food. But researchers note that organic agriculture can bring environmental benefits.

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On Morning EditionPlaylist

Tuesday, July 31, 2012

The Salt

Bhutan Bets Organic Agriculture Is The Road To Happiness

A Bhutanese farmer puts her harvest of chilies on the roof of a shed to dry and protect it from wild boars, deer, and monkeys in 2006.

July 31, 2012 Bhutan wants to be the first country in the world to convert to a 100 percent agricultural system. Many farmers in Bhutan are already organic, which experts say should make the transition relatively easy.

Summary

Tuesday, March 06, 2012

The Salt

In Hong Kong, A Growing Taste For Organic Food

Consumers rush to buy organic products from a farmers market in Hong Kong.

March 6, 2012 Demand for organic and local food is rising in Hong Kong. But people find supply limited and expensive, mirroring the early days of the organic movement in other countries.

Summary

Wednesday, February 15, 2012

The Salt

Coming Soon To Your Grocery Aisle: Organic Food From Europe

Edgar Jaime (right) and his brother Jose Luis unload organic vegetables from their farm in Santa Monica, Calif. Now that U.S. and European organic standards are equivalent, more American organic farmers will be able to export to Europe.

February 15, 2012 The U.S. and the European Union are announcing that they will soon treat each other's organic standards as equivalent. In other words, if it's organic here, it's also organic in Europe, and vice versa.

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On Morning EditionPlaylist

Thursday, January 26, 2012

The Salt

The (Un)usual Suspect: Why Organic Spices Aren't Always Safe

These celery seeds look safe, but could be tainted. Even if they're organic.

January 26, 2012 Salmonella contamination in organic celery seed caused headaches — and an FDA recall — for one entrepreneur. Her tale is a reminder that organic certification doesn't measure food safety; it's only about how a food was grown.

Summary

Tuesday, January 03, 2012

The Salt

Can We Expect An Organic Milk Shortage In 2012?

A Safeway customer shops for milk in Livermore, Calif.

January 3, 2012 There's not enough organic milk, especially in states like Florida and Georgia. Inputs — like organic grain and hay for animals — are now dramatically more expensive for farmers. That means organic dairy cows are getting less food and producing less milk.

Summary

Thursday, December 08, 2011

The Salt

Environmental Claims For Farmed Fish Don't Hold Up To Scrutiny

Fish on display at a Whole Foods in Hillsboro, Ore. The retailer is one of the few with its own environmental standard for farmed fish.

December 8, 2011 A study released this week found that many eco-labels for farmed seafood don't guarantee the fish was raised in a way that protects the marine environment.

Summary

Monday, November 07, 2011

The Salt

Organic Isn't Always Safer When It Comes To Botulism

Gourmet and organic, yes. But also a source of deadly botulism.

November 7, 2011 An outbreak of botulism linked to organic Italian olives makes it clear that even food that sounds pristine can harbor deadly pathogens. Organic foods may be more vulnerable to some pathogens because of the way they are grown. Food processors fight botulism with heat, salt, and acid.

Summary

Wednesday, July 20, 2011

Shots - Health News

Costs Temper Demand For Organic Foods

Kevin Gomes shops for produce at Pacifica Farmers Market in Pacifica, Calif., in March.

July 20, 2011 A solid majority of American say they prefer to eat organic over non-organic food. But the fondness for organic food isn't universal. Older people don't care for it nearly as much as the rest of the population. And the cost of organic food is an issue.

Summary

Wednesday, July 13, 2011

Shots - Health News

Organic Water: A New Wave In Marketing

Bottled water goes organic, but how is that even possible?

July 13, 2011 Marketing products as organic may attract customers, but the claim may be a little much for water. A quick Google search and a spin through the Fancy Food Show turn up lots of organic bottled water. It might be time to separate out some popular marketing buzz words from the actual science.

Summary

Friday, June 17, 2011

Shots - Health News

Organic Pesticides: Not An Oxymoron

Sugarsnap peas are ready for harvest at the Many Hands Organic Farm in Barre, Mass., in the summer of 2009.

June 17, 2011 A recently released report on pesticide residues found that about 20 percent of organic lettuce tested positive for pesticides. How could that be? We talked with the University of Minnesota's Jeff Gillman about the state of organic farming.

Summary

Monday, June 13, 2011

Shots - Health News

Foods On 'Dirty Dozen' List For Pesticides

A pesticide sprayer rolls through an apple orchard.

June 13, 2011 An advocacy group came up with a shopping guide for consumers concerned about pesticide residues in produce. The group's "Dirty Dozen" is headlined by apples, celery and strawberries. The fruits and vegetables lowest in pesticides were led by onions, sweet corn and pineapples.

Summary

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