Organic food ‘no healthier’: Stanford University

Organic food is no healthier than conventionally-produced produce, according to researchers at Stanford University.

The scientists found no differences in nutritional content after comparing more than 200 studies of the health gains of organic and non-organic foods.

But organically-produced food was nearly a third (30%) less likely to contain pesticides.

'No convincing differences'

Researcher Prof Alan Dangour, from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, said: "Consumers select organic foods for a variety of reasons. However this latest review identifies that at present there are no convincing differences between organic and conventional foods in nutrient content or health benefits."

The research, published in the journal Annals of Internal Medicine, analysed two sets of studies. One set of 17 studies contrasted the health of those who ate organic food with those who did not, while another set of 223 studies compared the levels of nutrients, bacteria, fungus or pesticides in foods. The foods included: vegetables, grains, meats, milk and eggs.