7234: Contaminants and micro-organisms in organic and conventional food products

van de Vijver, L.P.L.; Broex, N.; Hoogenboom, L.A.P.; van der Roest, J.; Bokhorst, J.G.; Northolt, M.D.; Mevius, D. and Meijs, J.A.C. (2006) Contaminants and micro-organisms in organic and conventional food products. Paper presented at Joint Organic Congress, Odense, Denmark, May 30-31, 2006..

Summary

In the Netherlands we investigated animal and plant products on potentially hazardous contamination with heavy metals, mycotoxins, pesticide residues, patho-genic micro-organisms and nitrate. In most cases, the organically produced foods had equal or lower amounts of contaminants than conventionally pro-duced products. These results conflict with a common idea that organic farming theoretically increases food safety risks. For many contaminants organic food showed a large diversity in the amount of contamina-tion. Experience with organic farming, managing and manure use partly explain these differences. Understanding of these cultivation parameters can help in further improvement of organic cultivation practices.

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