Why should I go organic this September?

With autumn on our doorstep and the kids heading back to school, it’s time for Organic September! We’re here to explain the benefits of eating organic and give you tips on how to do it on a budget.   

Organic September is an initiative of the Soil Association to promote organic farming. This is a way to grow food that minimises the use of fertilisers and pesticides to protect the environment, wildlife and human health.  

What are pesticides? 

Pesticides are chemicals used to kill any type of pest. In the UK around 13,000 tonnes of pesticides are used on crops each year to kill weeds (herbicides, or weed killers), insects (insecticides) and fungi (fungicides). After being sprayed in the fields, small amounts of pesticides can remain on the food you find in shops.  

Some fruit is also treated with pesticides after harvest to prevent spoiling before it’s sold. For example, citrus fruits, such as lemons and oranges, can be treated with fungicides during storage. Look out for imazalil and thiabendazole on packaging labels.  

Am I exposed to pesticides? 

Finding pesticide residues on food sold in the UK is not uncommon. A 2023 report showed that about 48% of the food analysed contained at least one residue. Whilst only 1% of the samples were above the Maximum Residue Level (MRL) allowed, 33% of the food contained more than one pesticide.   

The MRL is the highest level of a certain pesticide allowed in food that doesn’t cause a harmful effect. However, the MRL doesn’t consider that having multiple pesticides can result in a cocktail of chemicals that may be harmful.  

This is important because the food you eat is probably your main source of pesticides, unless you or your family work with these chemicals. If you regularly eat non-organic produce you may be exposed to low levels of pesticides for long periods of time. You might already be thinking this is probably not good for you, but what does the science say?  

Pesticides and breast cancer risk 

Pesticides have been linked with health issues, such as neurodegenerative diseases and cancer. Many of these chemicals may help cancer develop by causing DNA damage and interfering with our hormones. But when it comes to the link between pesticides and breast cancer things are a little complicated.  

Whilst we know that working with some pesticides can increase breast cancer risk, we don’t yet know if this is also true for people who are exposed through their diet.  

There is limited evidence suggesting that certain pesticides commonly used in the UK may play a role in breast cancer. This includes exposure to imazalil and thiabendazole through the diet, and exposure to glyphosate, which is the most used weedkiller in the UK. However, we need more research to understand if pesticide residues in food affect breast cancer risk.  

How can you reduce your exposure to pesticides?  

Whilst there is still a lot we don’t know about the link between pesticides and breast cancer, evidence suggests that these chemicals may be harmful to our health.  

You can reduce your exposure to pesticides by up to 90% by swapping non-organic food with organic alternatives. Organic food is grown without the use of pesticides* and, therefore, is much less likely to contain pesticide residues. 

Is organic food better for you? 

Some studies found that having a diet rich in organic food may reduce breast cancer risk, especially post-menopause. However, a large UK study didn’t reach the same conclusion.  

Organic food may reduce the risk of other diseases, such as obesity and lymphomas (blood cancers). However, scientists are uncertain whether the possible health benefits are directly due to organic food itself, or because people with an organic diet often also have higher levels of physical activity and healthier eating habits. 

Some evidence suggests that organic food may also have higher levels of minerals, vitamins and carotenoids. Carotenoids are nutrients responsible for the bright colours of fruit and vegetables and have been linked with a reduced breast cancer risk. Therefore, eating organic food may increase your intake of nutrients that are good for you.  

Top tips for shopping organic 

When you next go to the shops, you’ll probably notice that organic options are not always available and that the costs of buying organic can add up. So, how can you shop organic whilst also trying to keep the costs down? 

• Buy local and seasonal organic fruit and vegetables. Download our seasonal calendar to see what’s in season. 

• Prioritise choosing organic fruit and vegetables in PAN UK’s Dirty Dozen List, such as strawberries and grapes. 

• Buy organic citrus fruit, especially when using the peel.  

• Buy frozen organic food as it can be cheaper and less hassle than fresh food.  

• Reduce your meat consumption, as organic meat is often more expensive.  

We understand that buying organic is not an option for everyone, but we still recommend eating plenty of fruit and vegetables, just make sure you wash them carefully. You can also peel them, but don’t forget that the outer skins are rich in nutrients and fibre. 

Pesticides in our local area 

Whilst eating organic food can reduce your exposure to pesticides, you may still be exposed to some pesticides in your local area. Breast Cancer UK is supporting The Pesticide Collaboration‘s campaign to ban pesticides in public areas. 

“It is crucial that exposure to pesticides is limited as much as possible. Eating organic food can significantly reduce exposure to certain pesticides, but the widespread use of pesticides in our cities and towns puts all of us at risk. Our current campaign focuses on pesticides in public spaces that we all use every day. Public authorities use pesticides on our roads and pavements, in our parks, playgrounds, train stations, car parks and schools. A national ban on pesticides in cities, towns and villages would hugely reduce exposure to these toxic chemicals and would be a quick win for the government, given that 100 councils across the UK have already chosen to go pesticide-free. We are delighted to work with charities like Breast Cancer UK, who highlight the potential harms of pesticides.”

– The Pesticide Collaboration 

Footnote: 

*There are certain situations where some pesticides, mainly natural and non-toxic substances, can be used to treat organic crops if approval is obtained.  

Read more on pesticides and breast cancer risk using our key fact sheet here. 

Thinking of going organic this September? Check out our Organic Flavours recipe e-book.

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