Anhata's picture

May I ask?

Submitted by Anhata on Thu, 03/29/2007 - 10:29am.

Where did you get the information that organic fertilizers are any more bacteria-laden than conventional ones? This is the first time I've heard the idea that organically raised vegetables have a higher risk of bacteria. What's your source?

This is not an attack, I'm just asking.

I did a quick internet search with the keywords "organic produce saftey" and found references to an article written in 1998 that claimed organic foods had a higher occurance of E. coli, which was later disproved.

Manure is not the main fertilzer used in organic farming, but when it is used, it's been composted, heat treated, or otherwise carefully managed to eliminate pathogens. Besides, manure is used just as much in conventional farming as it is in organic, so wouldn't the risk be the same either way?

The E. Coli outbreak last year with the spinach was because of the manure from the livestock farm nearby contaminating the ground. That's raw manure, not compost.

I can't imagine that anyone in this day and age would use raw manure on purpose to fertilize anything, it's too dangerous.

Food contamination is usually caused by unhygienic handling and storage, including use of contaminated water, which can occur on-farm, in transit, and at the point of preparation. from the Wikipedia article on Organic Farming.

Anhata
www.familynaturally.com
Your Family's General Store, Naturally

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