Organic Center Announces 3 Science Initiatives

BOULDER, Colo.The Organic Center, a research institute focused on the science of organic food and farming, announced three major science initiatives for 2011 designed to provide consumers with credible, evidence-based education on the benefits of organic to human health and the environment.

The Organic Center is updating analysis of foods posing relatively high and typically low risks from pesticides in specific foods, highlighting the often major differences in residues and risk in domestically grown food versus imported food. The Organic Center will develop the standards using the most recent data from USDAs Pesticide Data Program, coupled with EPA dietary risk assessment methods.

Two new Organic Center studies focusing on comparisons of organic and conventional foods are also underway. The first is a grain and grain-based products research program that will examine the benefits of organic grains versus conventional varieties. The study will compare the nutritional quality and safety of a range of organic, conventional and natural grains and grain-based products and will assess both modern varieties of wheat, oats and rice, and ancient grains such as spelt, kamut, and quinoa. The second is a milk quality study that will evaluate and measure the benefits and differences of organic, natural and conventional milk.

A comprehensive research project is also underway, conducted in partnership with the Natural Marketing Institute (NMI), designed to provide a clear understanding of how organics fit into the way consumers eat, shop and live. The study will help to increase consumer understanding of the difference between organic and conventionally grown foods.