Organic diets

Juhler RK, Larsen SB, Meyer O, et al. 1999a. Human semen quality in relation to dietary pesticide exposure and organic diet. Arch Environ Contam Toxicol 37 415-423. 

Healthy non-smokers, 6 males, 10 females Duplicate whole diet menus from organic or conventional sources, 22 day duration Significant increase in urinary flavonoid excretion for organic diet. No difference in antioxidant status between organic or conventional diets. (Grinder-Pedersen et al., 2003)... 

Lu, C., Toepel, K., Irish, R., Fenske, R. A., Barr, D. B. and Bravo, R. (2006). Organic diets significantly lower children s dietary exposure to organophosphorus pesticides . Environ. Health Perspect., 114(2), 260-263. 

Lauridsen, C., Jorgensen, H., Halekoh, U., Christensen, L.P. and Brandt, K. 2005. Organic diet enhanced the health of rats. DARCOF [Danish Research Centre for Organic Farming] Enews. 1. . Accessed 16/1/06. 

Approved lists are also open to interpretation. An example is calcium carbonate, an approved organic source of Ca. Is ground limestone, a natural and common source of calcium carbonate and prepared from mined calcareous rock, approved as calcium carbonate It is a well-established ingredient in conventional poultry diets and one assumes that it is acceptable in organic diets. In cases such as this the producer should verify with the certifying agency that this interpretation is correct. This example adds weight to the conclusion of Wilson (2003) in Chapter 1 (this volume) that it would be very helpful if lists of approved feedstuffs could be very specific. 

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