Residue from chemical pesticides used in farming and at least traces of food preservatives (and chemical pesticides) are present in most conventionally farmed or produced foods. In addition, residue from chemical pesticides used in cotton farming remains on the cotton once harvested and used in clothing. Just because agencies worldwide declare that certain additives, ingredients, or materials are safe does not mean that they cannot cause health or environmental issued in larger amounts, especially if used continuously over time.
Take sodium benzoate and potassium benzoate for example. Both are approved by the relevant US and EU agencies for use as preservatives for processed foods. But when these preservatives combine with vitamin C, they create benzene, a known carcinogen. The levels produced are supposed to be so low that they create no ill health effects – but what if exposure is daily?
And unprocessed, whole foods, such as oranges, are often treated with sodium/potassium benzoate to give them a more appealing color. Then there are the pesticides used in conventional farming that kill bugs almost on contact. And then we eat those fruits and vegetables.
Pesticides also affect our clothing – cotton, if not organic, is heavily treated with pesticides. These pesticides are not washed away in the process of making baby clothes, crib sheets, underwear or other personal items.
That is why we use only organic cotton in our grip socks.
Chose organic whenever you can. If you can also make it local – kudos!
