Obama Advisors: Eat Organic To Reduce Cancer Risk

Obama Advisors: Eat Organic To Reduce Cancer Risk

Organics Aotearoa New Zealand (OANZ) is endorsing a report from US President Barack Obama's Cancer Panel, calling on consumers to choose food grown without pesticides, artificial fertilizers and antibiotics, which the report says can increase risks of contracting cancer.

The Annual Report of the President's Cancer Panel - two leading medical professors - is entitled 'Reducing environmental cancer risk: what we can do now', and was released on Friday.

The report warns that everyone is exposed on a daily basis to numerous agricultural chemicals.

"The chemicals most commonly used in agricultural settings are pesticides [...] and fertilizers", according to the report.

The report states that "In addition, residues of agricultural chemicals are found in fruits, vegetables, grains and beverages", noting that "Meats and dairy products can also be contaminated [...]."

"Approximately 40 chemicals classified by the International Agency for Research on Cancers as known, probable, or possible human carcinogens, are used in EPA-registered pesticides now on the market."

Dr Jon Tanner, OANZ Chief Executive Officer, said "The panel recommends that people choose food grown without pesticides or chemical fertilizers.

"People can dramatically reduce the likelihood of consuming pesticide-contaminated food by choosing certified organic products," Dr Tanner said.

"The report notes that an average of 18 new pesticides are introduced to the United States every year, and that only a few hundred of the more than 80,000 chemicals in use there have been tested for safety.

"By comparison, organics is smarter farming which produces safe food using natural processes.

"This report also confirms that children are at higher risk for adverse health effects from pesticide exposures.

"People should be concerned about the unknown cumulative effect from decades of exposure to residues - and about the emerging evidence that genetic modification is resulting in even higher pesticide use", Dr Tanner said.

ENDS

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