1 Game changer? Organic vs conventional food The scientific evidence reveals substantial differences between organic and conventional food Despite official scepticism and even hostility, evidence is mounting that there are significant differences in the composition of organic and conventionally produced food and associations between the consumption of organic food and positive health The Nafferton Research Group at Newcastle University is at the forefront of this work. Dr. Gillian Butler will present results from studies on crops, milk, beef and human diet comparisons. If you are interested in food and health you need to know this information. The more people know about it, the greater the likelihood of changing the game. As a short introduction to what Gillian will talk about! Gillian Butler 1, Chris Seal 2, Carlo Leifert 1 1 Nafferton Ecological Farming Group (NEFG) 2 Human Nutrition Research Centre (HNRC), Newcastle University Evidence that organic production methods influences the nutritional composition of crops, dairy products and meat UK- Food Standards Agency (FSA) Funded study: Dangour et al 2009 More recent evidence of composition differences between organic and conventional crops Baraski, M., rednicka-Tober, D., Volakakis, N., Seal, C., Sanderson, R., Stewart, G.B., Benbrook, C., Biavati, B., Markellou, E., Giotis, H., Gromadzka-Ostrowska, J., Rembiakowska, E., Skwaro-Sonta, K.,, Tahvonen, R., Janovsk, D., Niggli, U., Nicot,P. and Leifert, C. (2014) Higher antioxidant and lower cadmium concentrations and lower incidence of pesticide residues in organically grown crops: a systematic literature review and meta- analysis. British Journal of Nutrition 112, For more information see: Systematic literature review: 343 peer-reviewed papers cf FSA study (Dangour et al. 2009) : only 46 papers! (on crops, meat and dairy) Primary assessment antioxidant activity significantly higher in organic crops(+17-18%) mean % difference (MPD) n = 66 Weighted meta- analysis n = 160 Un- weighted meta- analysis P < 0.001 Explanatory assessment antioxidant compounds MPD (%) * ** T *** * ns ** *** = P