Here’s Why Organic Isn’t Enough When It Comes to Purity

In recent years, more and more consumers are making the conscious decision to choose organic products. While organic foods tend to cost more than non-organic options, many individuals see this as a smart and worthwhile investment in their long-term wellness.

Certified organic products come with a multitude of benefits, not just for your health but also for the planet. Because organic farming avoids the use of pesticides, many of which are toxic to humans, organically grown crops contain far less pesticide residue than their conventional counterparts. [1] This not only makes them safer to eat but also proves that organic farming is more environmentally friendly.

Another thing that makes buying organic attractive to many is how animal sources are treated. Animals raised by organic farmers thrive on a natural diet and are kept in free-range conditions. [2] In contrast, industrial farms are notorious for their inhumane practices (e.g., breeding, confinement, etc.) and profit-driven production, which generate tougher, less flavorful meat with vastly inferior nutrient profiles than those of organic meats. [3]

But most importantly, genetically modified organisms (GMOs) are not allowed under strict organic standards. So when you buy certified organic products, you can be sure they’re free of genetic contaminants that may trigger allergies. [4] Non-GMO foods also pose fewer risks than GM foods, which have been linked to liver, kidney and pancreatic damage, and impaired reproductive and immune functions. [5]

But while organic certification covers many things, it is not enough to guarantee your food is safe to eat. Extensive analysis, preferably done by an accredited lab, is the only way to ensure that what you’re eating is absolutely clean and tested for microbial toxins, heavy metals and other food processing contaminants.

When it comes to nutrition, many studies have confirmed that organically grown foods have more to offer than conventional produce. For instance, an article published in the journal Food and Humanity reported that organic fruits, vegetables and legumes contain 5.7% more vitamins and minerals than non-organic varieties. [6

A study published in Alternative Medicine Review also noted that organic foods tend to have higher concentrations of antioxidants like polyphenols, salicylates, anthocyanins, flavonoids and carotenoids. Meanwhile, a review comparing the nutritional values of organic vs. non-organic fruits, vegetables and grains found that organic varieties offer 27% more vitamin C, 21.1% more iron, 29.3% more magnesium and 13.6% more phosphorus than conventional ones. [7]

Researchers attribute the nutrient density of organic produce largely to being planted in healthier soils that promote better microbial diversity. Greater activity from these soil microbes increases mineral absorption by plants, resulting in crops with high nutritional value. [8]

But despite their nutritional benefits and lower pesticide content, organic foods are not tested for other contaminants that can also cause significant harm to your health. The only way to avoid these is to choose certified organic products that have been lab verified for quality and purity. [9]

Here are 4 dangerous food contaminants you can avoid by choosing lab-verified organic products:

Mycotoxins

Mycotoxins are toxic, heat-stable chemicals naturally produced by molds and fungi that grow on foods. When consumed by humans, mycotoxins can cause acute symptoms, such as severe nausea, headache, diarrhea and dizziness, while chronic exposure, whether through inhalation or digestion, can lead to serious health problems, such as immune deficiency, neurological issues and even cancer. [10]

The most common mycotoxins found in foods are: [11]
• Aflatoxins (Aspergillus spp.) - Detected in cereals, spices, tree nuts and animal milk
• Ochratoxin A (Aspergillus and Penicillium) - Found in cereal products, coffee beans, dried vine fruits, wine and grape juice, spices and licorice
• Patulin (Aspergillus, Penicillium and Byssochlamys) - Found in apple products, moldy fruits, fruit juices and grains
• Trichothecenes, zearalenone (ZEN) and fumonisins (Fusarium fungi) - Wheat, oats and corn

According to a 2003 analysis conducted by the UK Food Standards Agency, organic corn meal products are just as prone, if not more, to fumonisin contamination as non-organic products, highlighting the importance of thorough lab testing to ensure consumer safety. [12]

Bacterial contamination

Food-poisoning bacteria lurk in fresh or processed organic and non-organic foods, which is why testing for these microbial threats is so important for consumer safety. Common bacteria detected in plant-based foods include: [13]
• Salmonella spp. (freshly cut fruits) - common cause of diarrhea
• Escherichia coli (sprouts, lettuce, spinach and other leafy greens) - causes severe stomach cramps, diarrhea (often bloody) and vomiting
• Listeria spp. (cantaloupes, mushrooms, apples and stone fruits) - cause listeriosis (mild fever and diarrhea or severe, life-threatening meningitis or septicemia)
Dangerous microbes often found contaminating animal meats and seafood include:
• Salmonella enterica (poultry, beef, pork and seafood) - causes salmonellosis (diarrhea, fever, cramps and vomiting)
• Campylobacter jejuni and C. coli (poultry, cattle, pigs) - cause campylobacteriosis (bloody diarrhea, fever and stomach cramps)
• Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (beef, sheep and goat meat) - causes hemolytic uremic syndrome, a serious condition that can lead to kidney failure, permanent health problems and even death [14]
• Listeria monocytogenes (meat from cattle, sheep, goats and poultry, dairy products) - causes listeriosis

Even organic foods need to undergo meticulous microbiological testing to ensure they are free of microbial pathogens that cause foodborne illness.

Heavy metals

Toxic heavy metals are everywhere. In fact, they often contaminate soil close to industrial factories. Heavy metal contamination in food can also be caused by air pollution, the weathering of bedrock and soil irrigation using polluted water. [15]

Common heavy metals detected in food products include: [16]
• Aluminum (tea leaves, potatoes, spinach) - Linked to delays in skeletal and neurological development, bone and brain diseases and Alzheimer’s [17]
• Arsenic (rice, rice-based products) - Linked to cognitive issues, cardiovascular disease, diabetes and cancer
• Cadmium (leafy greens, root vegetables and shellfish) - Linked to kidney damage, cardiovascular disease and neurotoxicity
• Lead (root vegetables, spices) - Linked to impaired brain development, lower IQ, cardiovascular disease and cancer
• Mercury (fish, rice, crops grown near coal power plants) - Linked to neurological and developmental issues, especially in children
• Nickel (whole grains, nuts, legumes, seeds and cocoa products) - Linked to allergies, cardiovascular and kidney diseases, lung fibrosis and lung cancer [18]

Food processing contaminants

Processing contaminants refer to chemicals that are produced during food processing. Chemical reactions beyond human control often occur between food components and processing agents, resulting in the formation and incorporation of potentially harmful substances into the final product. [19]

Examples of common processing contaminants include: [20]
• Acrylamide
• Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs)
• Oxyhalides
• Haloacetic acids (HAAs)
• Ethyl carbamate
• Furan
• Nitrosamines
• Heterocyclic amines (HCAs)
Many of these chemicals have been classified as possible human carcinogens and/or are linked to immune suppression, organ toxicity, genetic damage and developmental and reproductive issues.

Aside from evaluating the nutrient content of foods, lab tests also include identifying the presence of harmful chemicals, such as pesticides, heavy metals, additives and food processing contaminants. Various techniques, including chromatography, spectroscopy and mass spectrometry, are employed to ensure the purity and quality of lab-verified foods.

Many of today’s most popular superfoods are grown in environments where heavy metals naturally occur. Because plants absorb what surrounds them, superfoods like maca, cacao, spirulina, chlorella and turmeric are especially vulnerable to contamination.

This is why the Health Ranger Store doesn’t just rely on organic certification. We test every single lot we acquire in accordance with the strictest up-to-date standards for food analysis to ensure we deliver only clean, high-quality products.

For a clean, caffeine-free alternative to coffee that can support healthy energy levels, we offer Groovy Bee® Organic Maca Root Powder. Derived from ultra-clean maca grown under strict organic standards by our trusted suppliers, this premium superfood powder delivers a variety of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants that can keep you feeling energized while supporting good overall health and well-being.

Enjoy the purest and healthiest form of chocolate and satisfy your cravings with Groovy Bee® Organic Raw Cacao Nibs. Unlike cocoa, which has been roasted and heavily processed, raw cacao is untreated and unprocessed, giving it the full, rich flavor of dark chocolate without the added sugars, sweeteners, flavorings, thickeners, preservatives, emulsifiers or any other additives normally found in commercial chocolate products. Grown and harvested by our trusted suppliers in Peru, our premium cacao nibs are among the cleanest cacao products on the market.

Load up on the world’s most nutritionally complete superfood with Health Ranger Select Spirulina Powder and Health Ranger Select Hawaiian Spirulina Cold Pressed 500mg Tablets. These premium products deliver a perfect balance of essential vitamins, minerals and antioxidants from spirulina microalgae that have been carefully cultivated in 100% clean, fresh potable water. Gluten-free and China-free, they are laboratory tested for heavy metals, pesticides, herbicides, solvents and GMOs.

Experience the nutritional benefits of Nature’s “Perfect Food” with Health Ranger Select Organic Clean Chlorella™ Powder and Health Ranger Select Clean Chlorella™ 200mg Tablets. A unicellular microalga teeming with essential nutrients and antioxidants behind its tough cell wall, our premium products are made with “broken cell wall” chlorella to ensure optimal digestibility and nutrient absorption. Our Clean Chlorella™ is also grown indoors under tightly controlled conditions to give you only the cleanest commercially available chlorella products on the market.

With its natural abundance of curcumin and other health-supporting nutrients, turmeric, the “Golden Spice,” is considered one of the most effective nutritional supplements to ever exist. But like many root crops, turmeric is extremely efficient at absorbing heavy metals from the soil, making the business of buying clean, high-quality turmeric tricky.

This is why the Health Ranger Store has made it one of our top priorities to acquire only ultra-clean lots of organic turmeric root. To ensure purity, quality and potency, we conduct extensive lab testing of each lot to detect the presence of any harmful contaminants. As a result, only the purest, cleanest, highest-quality raw turmeric passes our stringent qualifications.

You can be sure that Health Ranger Select Organic Turmeric Root Powder and Health Ranger Select Organic Turmeric Gold Plus with Black Pepper and Ginger are made only with rigorously inspected raw materials and deliver nothing but the wholesome goodness of pure organic turmeric.

All Health Ranger Store products, including our selection of lab-verified organic superfoods, are extensively lab tested for glyphosate, heavy metals and microbiology.