Consumers Buy Organic For Health Reasons

VANCOUVER - Jul 7/01 - STAT -- Consumers are buying organic foods because they think they are healthier and safer to eat than their conventionally grown counterparts, not because of any perceived environmental benefits.

While the industry has shown good growth in recent years, the majority of consumers are not interested in organic foods. This is made clear by a study in the United Kingdom, which found 7% of consumers bought 58% of total organic goods sold at retail.

Observers believe the substantial growth now being experienced stems from recent food scares like BSE and foot-and-mouth and the fact the organic industry was quite small already. Once memories of the food concerns fade from public view, the organic industry might be faced with a once very promising industry that has fallen flat.

In order for organic foods to thrive after foods have been "safe" for awhile, health benefits must be found, or the importance of healthier soils and reduced pesticide, herbicide, and fertilizer use becomes more important to the general public.

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