In the Los Angeles Times, Greg Critser pooh-poohs the $7 billion organic foods industry’s contention “that the only vegetables and fruits that are truly safe and conscionable to eat are organic.” The industry’s position, he says, has had some unintended consequences, not the least of which is an increase in cases of produce-related food poisoning (organic vegetables may be pesticide-free, but they are grown in manure instead). Critser asks, “Faced with the high cost–and just plain weirdness–of a $2 tomato, what kid wouldn’t rather go on a Doritos binge?” His advice: ignore the organic hype and focus on basic nutrition.
