Organic food is best for mums to be

Fears over pesticides, has led to pregnant women being advised to eat food that has been grown organically. This is because organic food contains less pesticide residue than other food.
Research by Hipp Organic surveyed 500 health visitors, out of which 58 per cent felt pregnant women should consume organic food.
The research results were revealed at a time as campaigners warn about the unknown effects of pesticides on the body.
The group considered to be at greatest risk is children as they are still growing.
A further survey of 800 women, some pregnant and others already mothers, showed that 55 per cent said that they had not eaten organic food before giving birth.
A spokesperson for the Food Standards Agency said, “Buying organic is one way to reduce the chances that food contains pesticide residues.
“However, all pesticides residues are monitored and assessed to ensure that they do not pose a risk to human health.”
For the first time sales of organic food has hit the one billion pounds mark. Organic food was seen as food for hippies but now consumers have a different outlook and favour it instead of mass-produced food.
Jane Mayall, marketing director of Hipp Organic said, “During pregnancy it is definitely a case of out of sight out of mind, although mums know what they should be doing.
“But once mum actually put the spoon directly into the baby’s mouth she becomes concerned about contaminants such as pesticides and GM foods.”
New mothers, 80 per cent, would choose to wean their babies on organic food, and 71 per cent felt an organic diet was important for mothers to be.
The survey found that 19 per cent of the health visitors surveyed disagreed that pregnant women would be better off eating organic food.
Market analysts, Mintel reported sales of organic food doubled between 2000 and 2005. Mintel puts this down to peoples concerns about healthy eating and food safety.
The result has been specialist delicatessens and organic mini markets opening up across the UK. Farmers markets have seen a revival and farm fresh fruit and vegetables can now be delivered to your doorstep.
The Soil Association said, “There are key areas of risk when it comes to pesticides that we still don’t know enough about. One of these is the impact on young people.”