December 8, 2006

Organic body dismiss studies that organic chickens are less healthy

A leading organic body in the UK has protested claims that organic chicken may be "not as healthy" for people as non-organic chicken.

Research published in the International Journal of Food Sciences and Nutrition claimed that organic chicken was found to have lower levels of omega-3 fatty acids and anti-oxidants than non-organic chickens.

Organic Farmers & Growers (OF&G), which inspects and licenses around three quarters of UK organic eggs and poultry, said the findings were misleading.

OF&G Chief Executive, Richard Jacobs, said he would be surprised if more research does not emerge to debunk the report.

Moreover, Jacobs said people are mistaken if they expect the top priority for organic food is for it to be healthier. The most crucial part of organic farming is that it brings welfare benefits to animals and ensure that the way they are farmed is environmentally sustainable.

A chicken that has had plenty of space to move, access to the outdoors and has not been pumped full of antibiotics would be hugely preferable to the inorganic version, Jacobs said.

The authors of the report, from Strathclyde University, conceded the differences in the chickens tested were not very large and were variable. They have also accepted that it was a small and preliminary study which did not take into account welfare issues or look at antibiotic residues.