'Organic'
food labels
misleading
Organic is a word often used in connection
with foods these days.
To a growing number of advocates, organic
food is synonyjnous with nutritious and
healthful food. Enthralled by these supposed
benefits, users are willing ta piy 30 to 100 per
cent more for organic food.
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But is organic food worth it?
Organic refers to fruits and vegetables grown
without chemical (inorganic) fertilizers and
pesticides. This farming method is suited only
to small operations and requires manpower
rather than mechanized equipment.
According to organic food , promoters,
chemicals used in food production are a major
cause of food poisoning and poor health.
"Natural" fertilizers (such as animal wastes)
and the elimination of pesticides not only
reduces these dangers but provides highr
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quality nutrients, according to advocates.
On what facts are these arguments based?
Seemingly, none.
If the scientifically grown foods we have
been living on for decades are so dangerous,
health departments should be reporting massive
epidemics of food poisoning.
The claim that use of chemicals in food
production is potentially harmful is not only
unfounded but biologically illogical as well.
All living cells are chemical. The natural
fertilizers used in organic farming will
eventually break-down into the same chemicals
i used in organic farming. Just as the human r,
, body uses t Vitamin C, whether it comes from .
orange juice or a pill, a plant absorbs the
chemicals it needs, no matter what the source.
The reasoning behind the use of artifical
chemicals is mostly one of expediency. Why
not use artificial chemicals instead of goinq
though the excess work, cost and mess of
natural fertilizers. The time involved in the use
of natural fertilizers is one reason farm
operations must be limited and prices inflated.
Another impressive argument against organic
foods comes from noted nutritionist Jean
Mayer.
"While organic foods may escape chemical
pollution, biologically speaking they tend to
become the most contaminated or an," Mayer
said. "Organic fertilizers of animal or human
origin are obviously the most abundant in
pastronomical parasites."
The moral: don't confuse the meaning of
pure with organic.
Advocates of organic food forget just how
much science has done for the health and food
supply. For example, many health food faddists
consider raw milk superior to pasteurized milk.
That notion is false. Pasteurized milk contains
the same nutrients as raw milk, plus it is free
for tuberculosis germs, the cause of many
hunchbacked children and adults a few decades
ago.
As for the higher quality nutrients argument,
all nutrients are chemicals. And chemicals are
not of higher or lower quality. They are simply
chemicals. Nutrient value is better described in
amount or balance rather than quality.
Then there is the pesticide argument. Many
people eat organic food to avoid an
accumulation of pesticides in their bodies.
Again there is no evidence of widespread illness
from these chemicals.
Many people are not aware of the federal
government's relatively strong pesticide control ,
measures. In 1954 the Food, Drug and
Cosmetic Act was amended to control and
minimize potential hazards arising from the
misuse of chemical pesticides.
Under this amendment, a food may not be
marketed if it bears the residue of a pesticide
considered unsafe, or if the amount of residue
exceeds the level established as safe.
More than 2,450 tolerances have been
established at different levels and for various
crops for more than 125 pesticide chemicals.
Federal inspectors make continuous checks
for residue amounts on all agricultural
commodities.
The continued use of pesticides is important
for economic reasons. The Agriculture
Department has reported that if the use of
pesticides were banned, the yield of many crops
would be reduced from 10 to 80 per cent, and
the price of most items would increase.
The federal government has not established
jany standards for organic food. And, unless hs ,
"YqocT has been through interstate commerce,
' tfiere is no guarantee it has been inspected and
declared wholesome and pure.
The next time you think about buying
organic food, remember these facts. Not only
will the safety of the food be questionable, but
your budget won't be any safer either.
f -i
Daaer sees unanue
for booze on campus
An on-campus alcohol policy has a reasonable chance of,
being approved, according to Kenneth L. Bader, vice,
chancellor for student affairs. But he said that policy may not
be approved this year.
Any acceptable alcohol policy must be enforcable within
the confines of state law, Bader said. . ,
When asked if he would give his support to an acceptable
alcohol policy, Bader said, "If Dick Armstrong from Housing
gives his approval, I will most likely support the proposal."
In response to a question concerning coed visitation, Bader
said his goal is to" work for a variety of environmenments
the student can pick. He added that he opposes 24-hour
visitation for security reasons.
Bader spoke Thursday evening at the weekly meeting of the ,
yResidence Hall Association Council.
L
Human sexuality is topic
of psychology symposium
Human sexuality is the topic of this year's Psychology
Department annual Nebraska Symposium on Motivation which
continues Friday, and Saturday at the Nebraska Center for
Continuing Education.
Friday's session features a 9 a.m. address by Dr. William
Simon of the Institute of Juvenile Research in Chicago.
A discussion session is set for 1:30 p.m. with Simon, Dr.
Henry Biller of the Psychology Department at the University
of Rhode Island and Dr. John Gagnon of the Sociology
Department at the State University of New York, Stony
Brook.
Both Biller and Gagnon spoke Thursday during the opening
day of the three-day symposium.
Dr. Alan Bell of the Institute for Sex Research at Indiana
University will speak Saturday at 10 a.m. Bell, whose topic
will be "Homosexualities: Their Range and Character," has
worked on the homosexuality research project at the Kinsey
Institute.
Bell was on the UNL campus last fall for the Time Out
Conference on Human Sexuality.
doily nobfoslcon
Gray. Managing Editor: Tom
Randy Baam East Campus Editor:
Editor-in-chiaf : Jim
Lansworth. Naws Editor:
John Ruwnogla.
Tha Daily Nabraskan la writtan, aditad and managad by
studants at tha University of Nabraska-Lincoln and Is
' aditorlally. 'indapandant of tha Unlvarsity " faculty,
v .... ,dpjfilstratlon and studant body.
Tha Daily Nabraskan is published by tha CSL
subcommittaa on publications Monday, Wadnasday,
Thursday and Friday throughout tha school yaar, axcapt on
holidays and vacations.
Sacond class postaga paid at Lincoln, Nebraska 68508.
Aaarass: Tna Daily Nabraskan34 Nebraska
UnionLincoln, Nebr., 68505. Talaphona 4024722588.
aWlEtWjj
(FEAi OF CHRISTMAS SHOPPI
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DECEMBER im
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page 2
daily nebraskan
friday, december 8, 1972
