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Organic foods versus conventional foods

As organically grown foods increase in popularity, many people are asking: Is there a nutritional difference between organically and conventionally grown foods?

In 2002, U.S. retail sales of organic foods totaled $9 billion. In addition, the United States Department of Agriculture released the National Organic Standards, which identify guidelines for products that are labeled “organic.”

Research shows that nutritionally there is no evidence that organic produce is better or safer than conventionally grown produce. Organic foods differ from conventional foods only in the way in which they are grown and processed.

But remember, whether they are organically grown or conventionally grown, fruits and vegetables are essential to health and disease prevention. Organic or not, try to include at least five servings every day in your eating plan.

Produced by ADA’s Public Relations Team

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