While I'm all for environment-friendly agriculture, I don't think it should be conflated with human health issues. Unfortunately, that conflation is part and parcel of ther organic food movement. I've had a look at the Soil Association's FAQ page 'Why organic'?

The ten reasons given are as follows:

1. It's healthy
On average, organic food contains higher levels of vitamin C and essential minerals such as calcium, magnesium, iron and chromium as well as cancer-fighting antioxidants.

2. No nasty additives
Organic food doesn't contain food additives which can cause health problems such as heart disease, osteoporosis, migraines and hyperactivity. Amongst the additives banned by the Soil Association are hydrogenated fat, aspartame (artificial sweetener) and monosodium glutamate.

3. Avoids pesticides
Over 400 chemical pesticides are routinely used in conventional farming and residues are often present in non-organic food. The UK government has recently found high levels of pesticide residues in baby food, spinach, dried fruit, bread, apples, celery, and chips.

4. No GM
Genetically modified (GM) crops and ingredients are not allowed under organic standards. Read more...

5. Reliance on drugs removed
There is growing concern about the high use of antibiotics on farm animals and the possible effects on human health. Soil Association standards prohibit the routine use of antibiotics. Read more...

6. No hidden costs
Compare this with the £120m that tax payers fork out to pay for removing chemicals from drinking water, mainly as a result of the pesticides used in farming.

7. High standards
Organic food comes from trusted sources. All organic farms and food companies are inspected at least once a year. The standards for organic food are laid down in European law.

8. Care for animals
Animal welfare is taken very seriously under organic standards. The benefits of the organic approach are acknowledged by animal welfare organisations such as Compassion in World Farming as well as the UK government. Read more...

9. Good for wildlife and the environment
The UK government has said that organic farming is better for wildlife, causes lower pollution from sprays, produces less carbon dioxide - the main global warming gas - and less dangerous wastes. Read more...

10. Top for taste
Many people prefer organic food because they say it tastes better. A number of top chefs choose organic, and every year many are involved in the Soil Association's organic food awards. Read more...

Reasons 1, 2, 7 and 10 are ecologically irrelevant and they are also, scientifically speaking, garbage. Non-organic food is equally healthy (1), has additives that are no less nasty than nature herself (2), has equally high standards (7) and tastes equally well (10.

At any rate there is certainly no evidence-based nutritional science or medicine for these claims. They have nothing to do with environental issues.

Perhaps the best foodstuff from the environmental angle would be one that poisons us all.