The popularity of organic foods has surged in recent years as consumers seek to avoid synthetic fertilizers and pesticides used in modern farming. But organic foods are considerably more expensive, leading many people to ask whether the benefits are worth the cost, or for that matter, even measurable.
A recent controversial study out of Stanford University concluded that fruits and vegetables labeled organic were, on average, no more nutritious than their conventional counterparts.
Nevertheless, many people are sure to continue buying organics -- the study did confirm that organic food reduces exposure to pesticides and antibiotics. And many believe there are environmental benefits to organic agriculture that are just as important.
HuffPost Live host Abby Huntsman on Monday put the question of organic superiority to a panel including Joel Forman, who co-authored a clinical report on organics for the American Academy of Pediatrics; HuffPost Food reporter Joe Satran; Mark Kastel, co-director and senior farm policy analyst at The Cornucopia Institute; Charity Mathews, founder of Foodlets.com; and Oleh Maczaj, an organic farmer.
Watch the Full Segment on HuffPost Live.