Organic: relating to, or deriving from living matter
You are the Product of your Environment
As organic beings, it would make sense to eat food that is organic as well. Think about it, the food that one consumes gets digested and is used to become part of that person. The basic structural building blocks which make up all living tissues, the bacteria in and on every person, every component that makes a human, human, all comes from the food that one eats. If the body is provided garbage, the resulting product will be garbage. Keep in mind, the large living population of microorganisms (microbiome) that lives within each persons gut outnumbers the amount of cells that are human (Sender, Fuchs, & Milo, 2016).This symbiotic relationship between humans and bacteria, which is permitting every individual maintain homeostasis, also relies on the nutrients that it is provided. Organic food is real food. On the other hand, conventional food, or food that is not organic, may contain a mixture of synthetic pesticides, genetically modified organisms, artificial ingredients, antibiotics and/or preservatives.
Epigenetics, an emerging field within genetic studies, suggests that effects on cellular and physiological phenotypic traits may result from external or environmental factors that switch genes on and off and affect how cells express gene. In other words, the external environment (i.e., food, bacteria) that one surrounds themselves becomes part of their internal environment via the modification of genes. Researchers are discovering that epigenetic patterns— including some related to cancer risk—can be passed from one generation to the next and is primarily driven by diet (McGuire, Beerman, & William, 2011). If fact, research shows that eating a plant-rich diet nourishes bacteria that turn "on" certain genes that help protect against disease (Krautkramer et al., 2016). The typical Western diet, high in sugars and low in fiber, is not a beneficial source of nutrients for microbes. Consequently, many individuals consuming a modern Western diet may have an increased risk for developing disease.
Epigenetics, an emerging field within genetic studies, suggests that effects on cellular and physiological phenotypic traits may result from external or environmental factors that switch genes on and off and affect how cells express gene. In other words, the external environment (i.e., food, bacteria) that one surrounds themselves becomes part of their internal environment via the modification of genes. Researchers are discovering that epigenetic patterns— including some related to cancer risk—can be passed from one generation to the next and is primarily driven by diet (McGuire, Beerman, & William, 2011). If fact, research shows that eating a plant-rich diet nourishes bacteria that turn "on" certain genes that help protect against disease (Krautkramer et al., 2016). The typical Western diet, high in sugars and low in fiber, is not a beneficial source of nutrients for microbes. Consequently, many individuals consuming a modern Western diet may have an increased risk for developing disease.
What is food that is certified organic?
All products that are sold, labeled, or represented as organic must meet all requirements in the USDA organic regulations. Products must be certified organic by a USDA-accredited certifying agent. The USDA organic regulations ensure that organically labeled products meet consistent national standards. The goal of certified organic food is integrate cultural, biological, and mechanical practices that foster cycling of resources, promote ecological balance, and conserve biodiversity. The organic label prohibits the use of synthetic fertilizers, sewage sludge, irradiation, genetic engineering and more.
What are The ORganic Standards?
The organic crop production standards require that:
Livestock and poultry standards apply to animals used for meat, milk, eggs, and other animal products sold, labeled, or represented as organic. Some requirements include:
The handling standards require:
(“Organic Production & Handling Standards,” 2016)
- Land must have had no prohibited substances applied to it for at least 3 years before the harvest of an organic crop.
- Soil fertility and crop nutrients will be managed through tillage and cultivation practices, crop rotations, and cover crops, supplemented with animal and crop waste materials and allowed synthetic materials.
- Crop pests, weeds, and diseases will be controlled primarily through management practices including physical, mechanical, and biological controls. When these practices
are not sufficient, a biological, botanical, or synthetic substance approved for use on the National List may be used.
- Operations must use organic seeds and other planting stock when available.
- The use of genetic engineering, ionizing radiation and sewage sludge is prohibited.
Livestock and poultry standards apply to animals used for meat, milk, eggs, and other animal products sold, labeled, or represented as organic. Some requirements include:
- Animals for slaughter must be raised under organic management from the last third of gestation, or no later than the second day of life for poultry.
- Producers must feed livestock agricultural feed products that are 100 percent organic, but they may also provide allowed vitamin and mineral supplements.
- Dairy animals must be managed organically for at least 12 months in order for milk or dairy products to be sold, labeled or represented as organic.
- Preventive management practices must be used to keep animals healthy. Producers may not withhold treatment from sick or injured animals. However, animals treated with a prohibited substance may not be sold as organic.
- Livestock must be out on pasture for the entire grazing season, but for not less than 120 days. These animals must also receive at least 30 percent of their feed from pasture.
- All organic livestock and poultry are required to have access to the outdoors year-round. Animals may only be temporarily confined due to documented environmental or health considerations.
- Organically raised animals must not be given hormones to promote growth or antibiotics for any reason.
The handling standards require:
- All non-agricultural ingredients, whether synthetic or non-synthetic, must be allowed according to the National List of Allowed and Prohibited Substances.
- In a multi-ingredient product labeled as “organic,” all agricultural ingredients must be organically produced, unless the ingredient(s) is not commercially available in organic form and listed on Section 205.606.
- Handlers must prevent the commingling of organic with non-organic products and protect organic products from contact with prohibited substances.
- Products sold, labeled, or represented as organic must have at least 95 percent certified organic content.
- Products sold, labeled, or represented as “made with” organic must have at least 70 percent certified organic content. The USDA organic seal may not be used on these products.
- Products containing less than 70 percent organic content may identify specific ingredients as organic in the ingredients list.
(“Organic Production & Handling Standards,” 2016)
What are GMOs?
GMO (genetically modified organism): A plant, animal, microorganism, or other organism whose genetic makeup has been modified using recombinant DNA methods (also called gene splicing ), gene modification, or transgenic technology. Cloned animals and their offspring are also considered GMOs, as are the products of synthetic biology. Any organism or input from an organism—whether used as inputs or as process elements in the creation of substances or materials—is a product of synthetic biology if it is associated with synthetically created nucleic acid sequences and/or genes. Synthetic biology includes growth hormones such as rGBH, rBST.
(“Non- GMO Project Standard,” 2016)
(“Non- GMO Project Standard,” 2016)
What is the NON-GMO Project?
The Non-GMO Project is non-profit organization that aims to identify, create, and/or maintain sources and practices that effectively minimize GMO contamination to the supply chain. The non-GMO label indicates that crops and ingredients (including seeds, fertilizers, human food, textiles, animal feed, supplements, etc) have been tested, by accredited laboratories, through the supply chain. Producted that have been labeled non-GMO assures inputs, work-in-progress, and final products at all points in the production process are traceable. Product manfucture facilities are to be annually inspected of receiving, production, processing, manufacturing, transfer, shipping/transportation and storage facilities. The Non-GMO products label prohibits genetic modication of microbes, enzymes, and hormones (rBGH or rBST).
(“Non- GMO Project Standard,” 2016)
(“Non- GMO Project Standard,” 2016)
IS organic better than non-GMO?
Regarding labeling, yes! The organic label means that the product is non-GMO plus more. If only a non-GMO project label appears, it does not mean that the product is organic; but rather the product is not derived or not does include genetically modified organisms, which has been tested. A product with solely a non-GMO label may still have pesticides and other contaminants. A conventional product, does not meet either of these standards and is subject to a broad spectrum of contaminants.
Image by Joe Pineda
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Pesticides are poisons
Pesticide: any insecticide, herbicide, fungicide or other substance that is used to kill, repel or control and plant or animal life; a product against life
In 2012, pesticides were the 10th leading cause of poisoning reported to the poison control center in the United States. In the United States alone, each year about 1.1 billion pounds of pesticides are used and more than 20, 000 pesticide products are sold (“Environments pesticide exposures,” 2016). With such a wide prevalence, people are exposed to pesticides every day. Exposures to pesticides may be present in your home, at work or at school. Methods of pesticide ingestion may be as obvious as eating or drinking them, or as subtle as skin contact or breathing them in. A wide range of health effects are associated with acute and chronic exposure to pesticides. Pesticide exposure may affect the nervous system, endocrine system, some may cause irritation to the mucous membranes, other may cause cancer. The health risks associated with pesticide exposure depend concentration/toxicity of the pesticide, quantity of exposure, duration of exposure and route of exposure (“Environments pesticide and health,” 2016). A growing number of well-designed epidemiological and molecular studies provide substantial evidence that the pesticides used in agricultural, commercial, and home and garden applications are associated with excess cancer risk (Alavanja, Ross, & Bonner, 2013).
As with many of of man-made substances, various pesticides are recognized as safe and effective when first discovered. Over time, however, researchers generally begin to better understand their true impact on the environment and human health. Let us learn from history; humans have a tendency to make mistakes. Looking back in history, DDT (dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane), a synthetic insecticide introduced in the 1940s, was commonly used and considered effective and safe. Currently, DDT is banned all over the world due to the adverse health and environmental effects. Research has concluded that DDT is severely toxic to wildlife, accumulates in the fatty tissues of humans, and has been shown to cause cancer in laboratory animals (“DDT General Fact Sheet,” 1999). Today, glyphosate, the active ingredient in the world's most widely used herbicide, Monsanto's Roundup, is seeking scrutiny by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) due to increased concerns of cancer (Gillam, 2016). In addition to becoming classified as "probably carcinogenic to humans" by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), a specialized cancer agency of the World Health Organization (WHO), glyphosate has been added to the list of chemicals known to the state of California to cause cancer for purposes of Proposition 65 ("Glyphosate listed effective...", 2017), (IARC, 2017). There is strong evidence that exposure to glyphosate or glyphosate-based formulations is genotoxic based on studies in humans in vitro and studies in experimental animals. One group of researchers evaluated individuals exposed to glyphosate-based formulations within several communities found chromosomal damage in blood cells; in this study, markers of chromosomal damage (micronucleus formation) were significantly greater after exposure than before exposure, in the same individuals. There is strong evidence that glyphosate and glyphosate-based formulations can act to induce oxidative stress based on studies in experimental animals, and in studies in humans in vitro ("Glyphosate", 2017). Furthermore, a report published in Entropy has linked glyphosate to the increasing cases of chronic diseases such as:
As with many of of man-made substances, various pesticides are recognized as safe and effective when first discovered. Over time, however, researchers generally begin to better understand their true impact on the environment and human health. Let us learn from history; humans have a tendency to make mistakes. Looking back in history, DDT (dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane), a synthetic insecticide introduced in the 1940s, was commonly used and considered effective and safe. Currently, DDT is banned all over the world due to the adverse health and environmental effects. Research has concluded that DDT is severely toxic to wildlife, accumulates in the fatty tissues of humans, and has been shown to cause cancer in laboratory animals (“DDT General Fact Sheet,” 1999). Today, glyphosate, the active ingredient in the world's most widely used herbicide, Monsanto's Roundup, is seeking scrutiny by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) due to increased concerns of cancer (Gillam, 2016). In addition to becoming classified as "probably carcinogenic to humans" by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), a specialized cancer agency of the World Health Organization (WHO), glyphosate has been added to the list of chemicals known to the state of California to cause cancer for purposes of Proposition 65 ("Glyphosate listed effective...", 2017), (IARC, 2017). There is strong evidence that exposure to glyphosate or glyphosate-based formulations is genotoxic based on studies in humans in vitro and studies in experimental animals. One group of researchers evaluated individuals exposed to glyphosate-based formulations within several communities found chromosomal damage in blood cells; in this study, markers of chromosomal damage (micronucleus formation) were significantly greater after exposure than before exposure, in the same individuals. There is strong evidence that glyphosate and glyphosate-based formulations can act to induce oxidative stress based on studies in experimental animals, and in studies in humans in vitro ("Glyphosate", 2017). Furthermore, a report published in Entropy has linked glyphosate to the increasing cases of chronic diseases such as:
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For more information on glyphosate, feel free to read the full report on glyphosate by the IARC.
Keep in mind, there are over 350,000 current and historic U.S. registered pesticide products (“PAN pest control product search,” 2000). According to the USDA pesticide program, residues of 59 different pesticides are present in finished drinking water, many of which are carcinogenic and/or hormone disruptors (Hill et al., 2009).
Despite the harms associated with excessive and unsafe pesticide practices, it is commonly argued that industrial agriculture, which is heavily reliant on pesticide inputs, is necessary to increase yields to feed a growing world population. However, even the UN has recently denounced this myth (United Nations, 2017). Using more pesticides has nothing to do with getting rid of hunger. With a population over 9 billion, worldwide production is definitely increasing, but the problem is poverty, inequality and distribution.
Despite the harms associated with excessive and unsafe pesticide practices, it is commonly argued that industrial agriculture, which is heavily reliant on pesticide inputs, is necessary to increase yields to feed a growing world population. However, even the UN has recently denounced this myth (United Nations, 2017). Using more pesticides has nothing to do with getting rid of hunger. With a population over 9 billion, worldwide production is definitely increasing, but the problem is poverty, inequality and distribution.
What is a carcinogen?
A carcinogen is a substance capable of causing cancer in living tissue.
What is a hormone Disruptor?
Hormone disruptors are chemicals that interfere with endocrine (hormone) systems. Such disruptions can cause cancerous tumors, birth defects, and other developmental disorders.
How Do Pesticides Work?
Pesticides control pest organisms by physically, chemically or biologically interfering with their metabolism or normal behavior (Environmental Protection Agency, 2016).
Table of Most Commonly Used Pesticides (herbicides, fumigants, insecticides, fungicides, plant growth regulators) Image by (Grube, Donaldson, Kiely, & Wu, 2011)
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"Estimated use of glyphosate in the USA in 2013 and estimated total use from 1992–2013" - Image by United States Geological Survey
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The Benefits Outweigh the Cost
Researchers have observed that organic foods contain more antioxidants and less levels of cadmium in organic grown produce. The concentrations of various antioxidants, such as polyphenolics, were substantially higher in organic crops/foods:
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19% more phenolic acids
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69% more flavanones
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28% more stilbenes
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26% more flavones
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50% more flavonols
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51% more anthocyanins
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Many of these compounds have previously been linked to reduce the risk of obtaining chronic diseases, such as CVD, neurodegenerative diseases and certain cancers. Furthermore, the frequency of occurrence of pesticide residues was found to be four times higher in conventional crops. Conventional grown crops also contained significantly higher concentrations of the cadmium metal, a known carcinogen. Significant differences were also detected for some other (e.g. minerals and vitamins) compounds (Barański et al., 2014).
Some believe that organic food is too expensive. Not all organic foods are more expensive than conventional foods - it depends on what you purchase. The cost of the food depends on the location and season in which the food is purchased. Keep in mind that conventional foods have a hidden cost that impacts the environment and long-term health.
Side note - we should all know by now, that money does not buy happiness. In fact, research suggests the largest determining factor of happiness is social relationships, as well as, mental and physical health (Clark, Powdthavee, Ward, Layard, & Fleche, 2016). Health is the real wealth. After all, with the known risks of eating pesticide-laden, genetically modified foods, would you pay for your health now, or pay for your sickness later? Think preventatively.
By paying a fraction of the price, you are paying for a fraction of the quality. Junk (food) is still junk (food), even if it is less junky. The ultimate goal is that the majority of an individual's diet should come from local, in-season, organic, plant-based, whole foods. More stores and restaurants are realizing that consumers are informed and choosing quality over quantity. By voting with you dollar, collectively we can make organic food affordable for everyone.
Some believe that organic food is too expensive. Not all organic foods are more expensive than conventional foods - it depends on what you purchase. The cost of the food depends on the location and season in which the food is purchased. Keep in mind that conventional foods have a hidden cost that impacts the environment and long-term health.
Side note - we should all know by now, that money does not buy happiness. In fact, research suggests the largest determining factor of happiness is social relationships, as well as, mental and physical health (Clark, Powdthavee, Ward, Layard, & Fleche, 2016). Health is the real wealth. After all, with the known risks of eating pesticide-laden, genetically modified foods, would you pay for your health now, or pay for your sickness later? Think preventatively.
By paying a fraction of the price, you are paying for a fraction of the quality. Junk (food) is still junk (food), even if it is less junky. The ultimate goal is that the majority of an individual's diet should come from local, in-season, organic, plant-based, whole foods. More stores and restaurants are realizing that consumers are informed and choosing quality over quantity. By voting with you dollar, collectively we can make organic food affordable for everyone.
Practical Applications
Although, eating organic foods is an important element in obtaining the highest potential quality of life, consumption of whole foods is largest determining factor in the process of taking control of your health. Anyone can go to the supermarket and buy some organic food that is is not necessarily good for optimal health. Organic is just one standard that should be expected from food. However, it is the content of that organic food that is powerful.
Dirty 12, Clean 15
The Environmental Working Group (EWG) is a non-profit organization that conducts testing on various produce items. Each year, EWG publishes a list of the "dirty dozen" and "clean fifteen", which is respectively, the foods with the highest pesticide residue and the foods with the lowest pesticide residues. These foods that compose the "dirty dozen" are highly recommended to buy organic. On the other hand, when shopping for organic food on a budget, the clean "fifteen" are foods that can be purchased conventional and have the least amount of pesticide residues. Ideally, all foods should be organic. Support local, organic farms. Be an educated consumer and vote with your dollar. By voting with your dollar, say by purchasing organic food, you thereby are investing and supporting that organization and standard. If you purchase junk food, you support junk food and are making a statement that you want to keep more junk food around.
Dirty Dozen, Clean Fifteen. Image by EWG.
Learn More About Organic Food
Check out the official site for the National Organic Program for more information on organic food.
The Organic Effect
If you do decide to shop organic, you still need to be an informed consumer. Know the product that you are buying. Just because the label says that the product is organic, does not mean that the product is good for you - there are plenty of unhealthy foods that are labeled organic. Recognize that advertisers are aware of consumers shopping habits and tendencies. This phenomena is called the organic effect, and very similar to the natural effect as seen in the video below.
References
Alavanja, M., Ross, M., & Bonner, M. (2013). Increased cancer burden among pesticide applicators and others due to pesticide exposure. CA: A Cancer Journal For Clinicians, 63(2), 120-142. http://dx.doi.org/10.3322/caac.21170
Barański, M., Średnicka-Tober, D., Volakakis, N., Seal, C., Sanderson, R., & Stewart, G. et al. (2014). Higher antioxidant and lower cadmium concentrations and lower incidence of pesticide residues in organically grown crops: a systematic literature review and meta-analyses. British Journal Of Nutrition, 112(05), 794-811. http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/s0007114514001366
Clark, A., Powdthavee, N., Ward, G., Layard, R., & Fleche, S. (2016, December 12). Origins of happiness: Evidence and policy implications. Retrieved December 15, 2016, from http://voxeu.org/article/origins-happiness
DDT General Fact Sheet. (1999, December ). Retrieved December 13, 2016, from National Pesticide Information Center, http://npic.orst.edu/factsheets/ddtgen.pdf
Druker, S. M. (2015). Altered genes, twisted truth: How the venture to genetically engineer our food has subverted science, corrupted government, and systematically deceived the public. United States: Chelsea Green Pub Co.
Environments pesticide exposures. (2016, October 26). Retrieved December 13, 2016, from Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, https://ephtracking.cdc.gov/showPesticidesExposuresLanding.action
Environments pesticide and health. (2016, October 26). Retrieved December 13, 2016, from Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, https://ephtracking.cdc.gov/showPesticidesHealth
Environmental Protection Agency. (2016, October 13). What are pesticides and how do they work? Retrieved January 17, 2017, from Environmental Protection Agency, http://www.epa.nsw.gov.au/pesticides/pestwhatrhow.htm
EWG’s shopper’s guide to pesticides in produce. (2016). Retrieved December 15, 2016, from Environmental Working Group, https://www.ewg.org/foodnews/summary.php
Gillam, C. (2016, December 12). Serious scrutiny needed as EPA seeks input on cancer ties to Monsanto herbicide. Retrieved December 15, 2016, from The Hill, http://thehill.com/blogs/pundits-blog/healthcare/309971-serious-scrutiny-needed-as-epa-seeks-input-on-cancer-ties-to
Glyphosate. (2017). International Agency for Research on Cancer. Retrieved 30 June 2017, from http://monographs.iarc.fr/ENG/Monographs/vol112/mono112-10.pdf
Glyphosate Listed Effective July 7, 2017, as Known to the State of California to Cause Cancer. (2017). OEHHA. Retrieved 29 June 2017, from https://oehha.ca.gov/proposition-65/crnr/glyphosate-listed-effective-july-7-2017-known-state-california-cause-cancer
Grube, A., Donaldson, D., Kiely, T., & Wu, L. (2011, February ). Pesticides Industry Sales and Usage. Retrieved December 16, 2016, from U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, http://www.panna.org/sites/default/files/EPA%20market_estimates2007.pdf
Hill, B., Olsen, A., Pilatic, H., Schafer, K., Kegley, S., & Gillick, K. (2009, May 06). What’s on my food: Pesticides on water, finished. Retrieved December 16, 2016, from Whats On My Food - Pesticide Action Network, http://www.whatsonmyfood.org/food.jsp?food=WR
IARC Monographs Volume 112: evaluation of five organophosphate insecticides and herbicides. (2017). International Agency for Research on Cancer. Retrieved 10 July 2017, from http://www.iarc.fr/en/media-centre/iarcnews/pdf/MonographVolume112.pdf
Krautkramer, K., Kreznar, J., Romano, K., Vivas, E., Barrett-Wilt, G., & Rabaglia, M. et al. (2016). Diet-Microbiota Interactions Mediate Global Epigenetic Programming in Multiple Host Tissues. Molecular Cell, 64(5), 982-992. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.molcel.2016.10.025
McGuire, M., Beerman, K. A., & William, M. (2011). Nutritional sciences: From fundamentals to food (with table of food composition booklet) (3rd ed.). Boston, MA, United States: Wadsworth, Cengage Learning.
Non- GMO Project Standard. (2016, February 02). Retrieved December 14, 2016, from Non-GMO Project, http://www.nongmoproject.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/Non-GMO-Project-Standard.pdf
Organic Production & Handling Standards. (2016, November ). Retrieved December 15, 2016, from United States Department of Agriculture, https://www.ams.usda.gov/publications/content/organic-production-handling-standards
PAN pest control product search. (2000). Retrieved December 15, 2016, from Pesticide Action Network, http://www.pesticideinfo.org/Search_Products.jsp
Samsel, A., & Seneff, S. (2013). Glyphosate’s Suppression of Cytochrome P450 Enzymes and Amino Acid Biosynthesis by the Gut Microbiome: Pathways to Modern Diseases. Entropy, 15(4), 1416-1463. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/e15041416
Sender, R., Fuchs, S., & Milo, R. (2016, January). Revised estimates for the number of human and bacteria cells in the body. Retrieved from http://biorxiv.org/content/biorxiv/early/2016/01/06/036103.full.pdf
United Nations,. (2017). Report of the Special Rapporteur on the right to food. Retrieved from https://documents-dds-ny.un.org/doc/UNDOC/GEN/G17/017/85/PDF/G1701785.pdf?OpenElement
Barański, M., Średnicka-Tober, D., Volakakis, N., Seal, C., Sanderson, R., & Stewart, G. et al. (2014). Higher antioxidant and lower cadmium concentrations and lower incidence of pesticide residues in organically grown crops: a systematic literature review and meta-analyses. British Journal Of Nutrition, 112(05), 794-811. http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/s0007114514001366
Clark, A., Powdthavee, N., Ward, G., Layard, R., & Fleche, S. (2016, December 12). Origins of happiness: Evidence and policy implications. Retrieved December 15, 2016, from http://voxeu.org/article/origins-happiness
DDT General Fact Sheet. (1999, December ). Retrieved December 13, 2016, from National Pesticide Information Center, http://npic.orst.edu/factsheets/ddtgen.pdf
Druker, S. M. (2015). Altered genes, twisted truth: How the venture to genetically engineer our food has subverted science, corrupted government, and systematically deceived the public. United States: Chelsea Green Pub Co.
Environments pesticide exposures. (2016, October 26). Retrieved December 13, 2016, from Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, https://ephtracking.cdc.gov/showPesticidesExposuresLanding.action
Environments pesticide and health. (2016, October 26). Retrieved December 13, 2016, from Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, https://ephtracking.cdc.gov/showPesticidesHealth
Environmental Protection Agency. (2016, October 13). What are pesticides and how do they work? Retrieved January 17, 2017, from Environmental Protection Agency, http://www.epa.nsw.gov.au/pesticides/pestwhatrhow.htm
EWG’s shopper’s guide to pesticides in produce. (2016). Retrieved December 15, 2016, from Environmental Working Group, https://www.ewg.org/foodnews/summary.php
Gillam, C. (2016, December 12). Serious scrutiny needed as EPA seeks input on cancer ties to Monsanto herbicide. Retrieved December 15, 2016, from The Hill, http://thehill.com/blogs/pundits-blog/healthcare/309971-serious-scrutiny-needed-as-epa-seeks-input-on-cancer-ties-to
Glyphosate. (2017). International Agency for Research on Cancer. Retrieved 30 June 2017, from http://monographs.iarc.fr/ENG/Monographs/vol112/mono112-10.pdf
Glyphosate Listed Effective July 7, 2017, as Known to the State of California to Cause Cancer. (2017). OEHHA. Retrieved 29 June 2017, from https://oehha.ca.gov/proposition-65/crnr/glyphosate-listed-effective-july-7-2017-known-state-california-cause-cancer
Grube, A., Donaldson, D., Kiely, T., & Wu, L. (2011, February ). Pesticides Industry Sales and Usage. Retrieved December 16, 2016, from U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, http://www.panna.org/sites/default/files/EPA%20market_estimates2007.pdf
Hill, B., Olsen, A., Pilatic, H., Schafer, K., Kegley, S., & Gillick, K. (2009, May 06). What’s on my food: Pesticides on water, finished. Retrieved December 16, 2016, from Whats On My Food - Pesticide Action Network, http://www.whatsonmyfood.org/food.jsp?food=WR
IARC Monographs Volume 112: evaluation of five organophosphate insecticides and herbicides. (2017). International Agency for Research on Cancer. Retrieved 10 July 2017, from http://www.iarc.fr/en/media-centre/iarcnews/pdf/MonographVolume112.pdf
Krautkramer, K., Kreznar, J., Romano, K., Vivas, E., Barrett-Wilt, G., & Rabaglia, M. et al. (2016). Diet-Microbiota Interactions Mediate Global Epigenetic Programming in Multiple Host Tissues. Molecular Cell, 64(5), 982-992. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.molcel.2016.10.025
McGuire, M., Beerman, K. A., & William, M. (2011). Nutritional sciences: From fundamentals to food (with table of food composition booklet) (3rd ed.). Boston, MA, United States: Wadsworth, Cengage Learning.
Non- GMO Project Standard. (2016, February 02). Retrieved December 14, 2016, from Non-GMO Project, http://www.nongmoproject.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/Non-GMO-Project-Standard.pdf
Organic Production & Handling Standards. (2016, November ). Retrieved December 15, 2016, from United States Department of Agriculture, https://www.ams.usda.gov/publications/content/organic-production-handling-standards
PAN pest control product search. (2000). Retrieved December 15, 2016, from Pesticide Action Network, http://www.pesticideinfo.org/Search_Products.jsp
Samsel, A., & Seneff, S. (2013). Glyphosate’s Suppression of Cytochrome P450 Enzymes and Amino Acid Biosynthesis by the Gut Microbiome: Pathways to Modern Diseases. Entropy, 15(4), 1416-1463. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/e15041416
Sender, R., Fuchs, S., & Milo, R. (2016, January). Revised estimates for the number of human and bacteria cells in the body. Retrieved from http://biorxiv.org/content/biorxiv/early/2016/01/06/036103.full.pdf
United Nations,. (2017). Report of the Special Rapporteur on the right to food. Retrieved from https://documents-dds-ny.un.org/doc/UNDOC/GEN/G17/017/85/PDF/G1701785.pdf?OpenElement
