Think of the chemical stream

IT WAS disappointing to read Judy Foreman's "Comparing apples to organic apples," not because of its message (which itself is questionable) but because of what was left out. Any discussion of the pros and cons of organic agriculture must also address the huge input of fossil fuels used in conventional agriculture.

While there may be some disagreement about the safety of chemical traces that accumulate in the human body from eating crops grown conventionally, there is no doubt about the toxic accumulation of chemicals in the soil and water as a result of nonorganic fertilizers and pesticides. One of the most dramatic consequences of these chemical inputs is the vast "dead zone" in the Gulf of Mexico, the result of chemical pesticide and fertilizer runoff from the conventional farms of the American heartland.

I understand that Foreman's article focused on the nutritional content of organic vs. nonorganic produce. However, it is irresponsible to write, "There really is no proof that organic food, which costs about a third more, is better for us than the conventionally grown stuff," without weighing the real dangers posed to the environment and, ultimately, human populations by nonorganic agricultural practices.

Patrick Warner
Leominster

THE MORE THINGS CHANGE . . .
From May 13, 1998

IN A May 9 front-page article, the Globe attributes the groundswell of opposition to the Department of Agriculture's proposed rules on the definition of "organic food" to "picky produce customers at Bread and Circus" and lobbyists from the organic farming industry.

I rarely shop at Bread and Circus. When I do, I don't buy organic. And I do not represent an industry group. But I was one of the 200,000 who sent in their objections to the new rules. I saw in the new rules yet another effort by big business to corrupt the language and distort common sense in favor of capturing market share and making bigger profits.

Ronald Reagan tried to define ketchup as a vegetable. A few years ago it was the definition of "recycled." Next year it might be the definition of "healthy." As each new corporate effort succeeds, the next becomes easier. We all have an interest in stopping the wave, not just a few quaint organic food fanatics.

JON PRESS