Organic Center Contests Link Between Organic Farming and Mycotoxin Contamination

Organic Center Contests Link Between Organic Farming and MycotoxinContamination

FOSTER, R.I.-- The Organic Center released a report challenging theassociation between organic farming practices and mycotoxin contamination infoods, especially grain-based products. The report, titled "Breaking theMold Impacts of Organic and Conventional Farming Systems on Mycotoxins in Foodand Livestock Feed" (www.organic-center.org/science.htm?articleid=59),gathers and analyzes evidence from scientific studies and literature comparingthe incidence of mycotoxin contamination in organic versus conventional foods.

"Our analysis found that conventional samples of food containedmycotoxins about 50 percent more frequently than the organic samples in a set ofcomparison studies, at average levels a little over twice as high," saysCharles Benbrook, Ph.D., study author and chief scientist with The OrganicCenter. "While mycotoxins can be a problem in both conventional and organicfarming systems, the data gives us new insight and hope that organic farmingmethods can work to enhance margins of food safety."