Organic fruits are fruits grown with a minimal amount of chemicals and pesticides. This means that they are free of traces of potentially toxic chemicals, making them, in general, better for you. Women who are pregnant or nursing and children are especially susceptible to the chemicals found in many non-organic fruits. Children and infants have less developed livers and generally weaker immune systems so they are less able to filter toxins from their diets. For them eating organic can be especially important because the toxins they consume in food can negatively impact their development.
The chemicals used in many types of agriculture build up overtime and cause problems. Agricultural run-off pollutes rivers and lakes and can affect algae and fish populations. One of the most common pollutants that comes from agriculture is phosphates. High levels of phosphate can deplete oxygen levels in lakes. Without oxygen fish cannot live and lakes slowly die.
The health and environmental benefits of organic foods are especially magnified in fruits. Some fruits are more difficult to wash and chemically intensive to grow. Any fruit that has a generally edible skin should be considered carefully. Some of the biggest offenders are strawberries, raspberries, apples, pears, peaches, apricots and cherries.
Buying organic fruits can be difficult depending on your location. Many chain grocery stores carry some organic produce, and it is also often possible to work with local farms to be provided with whatever organic produce they have. The typical way to partake in local organic foods is to visit the farmers market or to sign up with a community supported agriculture (CSA) group. Use the internet to find farmers market or CSA in your area.
When looking for organic fruits, make sure the products you buy are certified organic by a reputable source. Most organic produce is certified by the United States Department of Agriculture. These products have a clear “USDA Organic” label. There are other independent certifications especially in the western United States. When dealing with these certifications it is important to do your homework. The USDA requires the farm seeking organic certification to provide records and pass an inspection for each product sold under the organic label. When researching an independent certification make sure that they are also meeting these rigorous standards. Find out what that organization considers to be organic, and research their certification techniques. When it doubt, it is best to go with the “USDA Organic” label.