Organic food Quote by John Stossel
““In 1999 the National Research Council concluded that 'the total exposure to naturally occurring carcinogens exceeds the exposure to synthetic carcinogens.'... The point was that even if organics were pesticide-free, the gain wouldn't make up for the downside of organic food: It's more likely to be infested with bacteria because it's grown in 'natural' fertilizer. Natural fertilizer is the health food business's euphemism for cow manure. (The much-criticized 'nonorganic' produce is grown in nitrogen fertilizers. Although organics advocates sneer at the chemicals, 'chemical' nitrogen is perfectly healthy; air is 78 percent nitrogen, after all. We have a choice between foods grown in nitrogen taken from the air, and 'organic' food grown in cow manure.)””
About This Quote
Source Television: Stossel’s segment on organic vs. conventional food, 2009
Stossel argues that natural fertilizers (cow manure) may be less safe than synthetic nitrogen, questioning organic food’s health claims.
In simple terms: Organic food isn’t always healthier than conventional.
Key Takeaway
Examine food production methods critically.
Themes
food safety
science
environment
Mood
informative
questioning
Type
educational
analytical
When to use this quote
- grocery shopping
- diet planning
- policy advocacy
Key Concepts
Agricultural chemistry
risk assessment
Questions to Reflect On
- What evidence supports synthetic versus natural fertilizers?
- How do consumer perceptions affect food choices?
A Different Perspective
The argument may oversimplify complex nutritional science.
![“As he pushed the shopping cart down the narrow aisles [of Whole Foods]he noted two distinct types: the wild-haird bohemians who worked there, and the middle-aged yuppies who shopped there. Organic food was healthy, yes? So how to explain the unsightly appearance of the patrons--their sallow…” quote by Dan Pope](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/94a/dan-pope-192807_health-food_as-he-pushed-the-shopping-cart-down-the_150348.jpg)
