When it comes to eating organic, the question isn't whether or not it's good for you — for most consumers it's about whether or not you can trust the labels.
According to a new study by market research firm Mintel, consumers still don't trust organic labels. In a similar study from 2013, 63 per cent of men and 54 per cent of women stated that they felt the word organic was just used to charge higher prices.
Betsy Rakola, the USDA’s organic policy advisor, tells Time that while consumers know organic foods are better for them, it's the production process that can be confusing. And Billy Roberts, an analyst at Mintel says big corporations aren't helping clear the air either. “It’s a question of whether the whole supply chain is delivering on an organic promise,” he says.
But in Canada and the U.S., strict guidelines have been put in place regarding the use of the controversial term. According to the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, organic foods must be verified by the government before displaying an organic logo, the food must also be made with 95 per cent organic ingredients.
So the next time you look at an organic label, you can rest assured the product really is what it says. But that sentiment doesn't hold up when looking at labels that use terms like all-natural or artisanal, reports Time. While these terms give the impression that they are healthier or are made in smaller batches, companies are not bound to government regulations when using these buzzwords.
While the high prices might be a deterrent for most organic shoppers, there is a way around it. Researchers say that not all foods need to be organic, but there are a few that really should be. Here you can find a list of 15 foods the Environmental Working Group recommends you buy organic.
Foods You Don't Need To Buy Organic
Avocados(01 of15)
Open Image ModalThanks to their thick, scaly skin, the pesticides used on avocados don't make their way into the flesh we love in guacamole, in salads, or pretty much on anything. (credit:Shutterstock)
Sweet Corn(02 of15)
Open Image ModalThe husk of the corn keeps pesticide levels low. However, many proponents of clean eating note that GMO corn is not marked, and if that is a concern to you, buying organic for this product might be a good idea. (credit:Shutterstock)
Pineapple(03 of15)
Open Image ModalNot a lot of pesticides are getting through the rather intense shell of the pineapple — heck, even we have difficult cutting in. (credit:Shutterstock)
Mango(04 of15)
Open Image ModalYou can buy non-organic mangos without a worry, but be sure to wash the fruit carefully before eating anyway. (credit:Shutterstock)
Sweet Peas(05 of15)
Open Image ModalFor the ambitious who love to shell their own peas, you can blissfully buy the non-organic sort (but for a shortcut in the kitchen, we definitely suggest the frozen kind). (credit:Shutterstock)
Asparagus(06 of15)
Open Image ModalAs asparagus doesn't attract many insects, fewer pesticides are used on the veggie, so feel free to pluck it from the non-organic aisle. (credit:Shutterstock)
Kiwi(07 of15)
Open Image ModalThat thick brown skin doesn't only work as a useful shell to keep from getting juice all over you, but also protects the delicious skin inside from pesticides. (credit:Shutterstock)
Cabbage(08 of15)
Open Image ModalAlthough the leaves of cabbage can be used in full, the plant is not sprayed heavily with pesticides. (credit:Shutterstock)
Eggplant(09 of15)
Open Image ModalEggplant is actually one of the veggies with the higher percentage of pesticide on the 'clean' list, but if non-organic is your only option, you can feel fine buying eggplant grown conventionally. (credit:Shutterstock)
Cantaloupe(10 of15)
Open Image ModalThat's a hard shell cantaloupes boast, so non-organic is fine for this melon. To err on the side of caution, though, you might want to avoid cantaloupes from Mexico, where they can be heavily sprayed by pesticides. (credit:Shutterstock)
Watermelon(11 of15)
Open Image ModalThe same advice applies to watermelon — you aren't eating the rind (we hope), so pick one up wherever you'd like. Just be sure to wash the outside before cutting into it and eating. (credit:Shutterstock)
Grapefruit(12 of15)
Open Image ModalA burst of citrus can be lovely at the beginning (or end) of your day, and rest assured you're fine to buy these thick-skinned fruits in the non-organic aisle. (credit:Shutterstock)
Sweet Potato(13 of15)
Open Image ModalThough potatoes show up on the 'dirty dozen' list of what to buy organic, sweet potatoes actually have far fewer pesticides and are fine to buy non-organic. (credit:Shutterstock)
Sweet Onions(14 of15)
Open Image ModalThanks to their many layers of skin, onions (even the sweet kind) don't get attacked by pests, and therefore, aren't sprayed with as many pesticides. (credit:Shutterstock)
Onions(15 of15)
Open Image ModalJust like their sweet cousins, the lack of pesticides on onions can be attributed to insects' disinterest. As a staple of so many cooked dishes, we're happy to report you can pick up onions anywhere. (credit:Shutterstock)