Why organic products are more expensive ?.
Most of the conventional spices and herbs are not tested for pathogens, chemical pestcides & don't meet the high quality standard of organic spices. Quality assurance, product tracking, organic certifications (state & federal), usage of bio dyanmic environment, bio manure & compost, environmentally sustainable farming techniques and testing adds to the additional cost. Hence organic spices and herbs are more expensive than conventional counterparts.
Why organic spices & herbs are important in your food ?.
We use very small quantity of spices and herbs in our daily lives. So why use organic spices ?. We have to look at this issue very closely. For example, 100 gm of spices are made from 1000 gm of raw product. Amount of chemical pesticide and other chemicals have very high concentration in a small pinch. If you use Cinnamon or Black pepper every day, amount of chemical consumption is huge over a period of time.
Most of the conventional or so called natural spices are treated with nasty chemical pesticide ETO. This pesticide alone can cause severe damage to human body. Jury is still out on the safe consumption of ETO in the food.
Chronic Exposure
Chronic ethylene oxide exposure may cause delayed peripheral nerve damage (neuropathy), especially in the lower extremities. Although the results are inconclusive, some data suggest that chronic ethylene oxide exposure impairs cognitive function. Ethylene oxide may also damage the liver and kidneys. Skin allergy can occur, and some persons may become sensitized to the chemical. Cataracts and corneal burns have been reported from occupational exposure. Chronic exposure may be more serious for children because of their potential longer latency period.
Carcinogenicity
The DHHS has determined that ethylene oxide may reasonably be anticipated to be a human carcinogen (NTP 2000). In animals, chronic exposure causes leukemia and intra-abdominal cancer, and there is some evidence that it increases the risk of leukemia in human workers. The International Agency for Research on Cancer has determined that ethylene oxide is carcinogenic to humans.
Reproductive and Developmental Effects
Ethylene oxide is included in Reproductive and Developmental Toxicants, a 1991 report published by the U.S. General Accounting Office (GAO) that lists 30 chemicals of concern because of widely acknowledged reproductive and developmental consequences.
Special consideration regarding the exposure of pregnant women is warranted, since ethylene oxide has been shown to be a teratogen and genotoxin; thus, medical counseling is recommended for the acutely exposed pregnant woman.
Please visit the following link to learn about ETO (Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry) http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/mmg/mmg.asp?id=730&tid=133