Taste
Many people have said they prefer the taste of organic food and a poll in 2005 by The Soil Association showed that more people valued the quality and taste of food compared to people who valued low prices. Organic fruit and vegetables are allowed to grow at their natural pace and contain less water, which may contribute to the difference in taste and flavour that many people experience.

Health
Many of us supplement our diet with vitamin pills, but an organic diet is rich in vitamin C, calcium, magnesium, iron and antioxidants. In general organic food contains higher levels of vitamins and minerals, essential to good health and vitality, than its non organic counterpart.

Additives
In recent years food additives have been increasingly linked to health problems. Organic food is strictly monitored and only 32 of the 290 food additives in use across the EU are allowed in organic food. You will never find monosodium glutamate, hydrogenated fat or aspartame (sweetener) in organic food.

Pesticides
The use of pesticides is avoided in organically grown food, but in non organic farming over 300 pesticides are routinely used. Non organic food has been tested and shown to contain residue of these pesticides meaning these chemicals end up on your plate.

GM-free
Genetically modified (GM) crops are used to feed non organic livestock, which end up on the shelves of most food retailers. The effect of GM food on our health is not yet known, but many people are willing to take that risk. No GM crops or ingredients are allowed in organic food.

Routine use of antibiotics
In non organic farming antibiotics are used routinely to keep animals disease free and to speed up their growth. There is concern that this can cause resistance to antibiotics in animals and humans and the effect of this on human health is not yet known. The Soil Association does not permit the routine use of antibiotics in organically reared livestock.

Cost
Although there is a small premium on organic food it does not compare to the £120m per year that tax payers are charged to remove the chemicals from drinking water. These chemicals are a result of the use of pesticides in non organic farming.

Standards
All producers of organic food are inspected at least once a year and must comply with the standards that are set out in European Law. Organic farming has higher levels of animal welfare than its non organic counterpart. Organic farmers must meet the Soil Association’s welfare standards. The way organic produce is farmed means it is better for the environment as it relies on past farming methods of crop rotation and doesn’t involve chemical pesticides.