Young people who eat organic food have high levels of toxins in blood, study finds
Young people who eat organic food frequently have high concentrations of toxins in their blood and urine, according to a study reported by VRT. The Federal Agency for the Safety of the Food Chain (FASFC) responded by saying it carries out spot checks on food to ensure that all products are safe, without distinguishing between organic and non-organic food.
The study, which has not yet been published, was carried out by cancer expert and VUB professor emeritus Nick Van Larebeke. His research team examined the presence of toxins in a representative sample of 600 Flemish adolescents.
Those who reported eating organic food more than 7.5 times a week on average were found to have higher than normal concentrations of a number of toxins in their blood and urine. These include lead, arsenic, PCB118 and PCB153, the PFAS PFNA, several other chlorine compounds and glyphosate. The problem lies with eggs, dairy products, seeds and nuts rather than potatoes, vegetables or fruit.
Possible environmental pollution
One possible reason for the presence of these substances is that organic farming in Flanders seems to be a victim of environmental pollution. For example, to produce organic eggs, hens must be allowed to roam freely. Van Larebeke also does not rule out fraud and deception. However, he points out that more research is needed because he has examined the concentration of toxins in blood and urine but not in the food itself.
The FASFC said it was aware of the study and that it had been analysed by the Risk Assessment Directorate and FASFC management. It was also discussed at a meeting of the Bureau of the Scientific Committee.
A spokesperson said the study compared organic and non-organic food but that this is different from what the agency does in its controls and analyses. "It carries out random but also risk-based sampling throughout the Belgian food chain to ensure that all products are safe and comply with the limits set for the contaminants in question," they said. "This is done regardless of whether a product is certified organic or not."
Organic food is, therefore, monitored in the same way as non-organic food. If a food is found to be non-compliant, measures are taken. The FASFC's annual report shows that 1,583 samples were tested for heavy metals last year. Of these, 99.4 per cent were found to comply with the legislation.
The spokesperson adds, as the authors of the report acknowledge, that only blood and urine samples were monitored, not food. The results may be influenced by several factors, it said, including regional exposure, the amount of one type of food consumed and the consumption of home-grown crops.
#FlandersNewsService | © PHOTO HANS LUCAS / AFP
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