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Organic Food and Kids: A Pediatrician’s Viewpoint

by Dr. Phil Landrigan

Parents often ask me questions about appropriate nutrition for their children. A healthy well-balanced diet for children of any age is essential for their proper physical and mental growth. As our crops are harvested this fall, keep in mind that a very important way you can help protect your children's health is to provide them with food that is grown and processed organically. Many of the chemicals used for standard crop production are toxic to the nervous system, can cause cancer, can damage endocrine and reproductive organs, and can be toxic to the immune system. Organic farming systems do not use toxic chemical pesticides or fertilizers. Organic foods are minimally processed without artificial ingredients, preservatives or irradiation.

Also realize that buying organic food will increase the demand for organic products, thus encouraging more farmers to participate in this healthy and lucrative business. Organic farming has become one of the fastest growing segments of U.S. agriculture. As this growth occurs, more and more farming families are able to reduce their exposure to a toxic environment. At the same time, the earth's ecosystems will become safer for all of us. Look for organic produce at natural food stores, your standard grocery store, farmer's markets and even many restaurants.

There is increasing evidence connecting pesticides in our environment to childhood diseases such as cancer, asthma and learning disabilities. In 1996, Congress passed a law called the Food Quality Protection Act (FQPA). It requires for the first time that federal standards for pesticides used on food crops be set at levels that will protect the health of children. Previous laws were written to protect 150-pound adults. Unfortunately, the 1996 FQPA law is being implemented very slowly. Most of the food your child is eating is still based on what is "considered" safe for a full-grown adult male. That is why I suggest that the best thing you can do is add as much organic food to your meals as you can fit into your budget. And, of course, be sure to wash all fruits and vegetables thoroughly before feeding them to your family.

Article reproduced with permission from "The CHEC Report #7," The Children's Health Environmental Coalition (CHEC) www.checnet.org