Organic Food

Here are ten things you ought to know about organic food:

1. Artificial pesticides are not used in organic food prodution, but those produced from natural chemicals are sometimes used.
2. There is no single standard for organic food and the term has no officially approved definition.
3. Organic farmers receive more state aid than non-organic farmers, even though their market is more buoyant.
4. The UK Register of Organic Food Standards has no legal powers.
5. Frozen food chain Iceland hastily dropped its all-organic frozen vegetables range after a dramatic sales slump due to increased prices.
6. There is no scientific evidence that organic food is safer than conventionally produced food.
7. There has been little scientific research to back up the  health claims of organic food producers.
8. A government-backed scheme offers grants for farmers to convert to organic food production.
9. The British population could never be fed on organic food alone, as production could never meet demand.
10. Demand for organic food is growing at an annual rate of 40%, according to the Soil Association.