| ORGANIC FOOD AND WINE IMPORTERS, FOR THE | | | | the subject) found no proof that organic food offers |
| BEST TASTE AND NUTRITIONAL VALUE | | | | greater nutritional values, more consumer safety or |
| | | | | any distinguishable difference in taste. |
| The biggest study ever of organic food was | | | | A new report published in March 2008 by The |
| completed in 2007 and found that organic fruit and | | | | Organic Center, which promotes organic wine and |
| vegetables contain up to 40% more antioxidants | | | | food, claims that organic food is on average 25% |
| than conventional equivalents, and that the figure | | | | more nutritious than conventional food. |
| was 60% for organic milk. The 4-year study was | | | | Cost |
| funded by the European Union and was the largest | | | | For the organic wine importers it's important the price |
| of its kind ever undertaken. A 2001 study by | | | | of this products. Organic products typically cost 10 to |
| researchers at Washington State University | | | | 40% more than similar conventionally produced |
| concluded, under judgment by a panel of tasters, | | | | products. Processed organic foods vary in price when |
| that organic apples were sweeter. Along with taste | | | | compared to their conventional counterparts. An |
| and sweetness, the texture as well as firmness of | | | | Australian study by Choice magazine in 2004 found |
| the apples were also rated higher than those grown | | | | processed organic foods in supermarkets to be 65% |
| conventionally. These differences are attributed to | | | | more expensive, but noted this was not consistent. |
| the greater soil quality resulting from organic farming | | | | Prices may be higher because organic produce is |
| techniques compared to those of conventional | | | | produced on a smaller scale, and may need to be |
| farming. Some studies have shown higher nutrient | | | | milled or processed separately. Furthermore, there is |
| levels in organic fruit and vegetables compared with | | | | an increase in shipping costs from more centralized |
| conventionally grown products. However, due to the | | | | production in otherwise regional markets. In the case |
| difficulty with designing such experiments, the | | | | of dairy and eggs, the animal's requirements such as |
| evidence was not considered conclusive until the | | | | the number of animals that can be raised per acre, or |
| release of the University of Sheffield study in 2007. | | | | the breed of animal and its feed conversion ratio |
| A 2002 meta-analysis (a review of all past studies on | | | | affects the cost. |