Organic baby foods containing fruits and vegetables are made from produce that's grown without conventional pesticides, synthetic fertilizers, bioengineering, etc. Organic baby foods with meat, poultry, eggs, and dairy products come from animals that don't receive any growth hormones or antibiotics.
Cost of Going Organic
Organic baby food is typically more expensive than regular baby food. Some examples include:- Earth's Best Organic Apple & Banana - $1.05
- Beech-Nut Stage 2 Good Morning - Peaches - Oatmeal & Bananas - $0.69
- Gerber 2nd Foods - Organic Butternut Squash & Corn - $1.95 (2-Pack)
- Gerber 2nd Foods Baby Food - Banana Apples - $1.39 (2-Pack)
Organic baby food can cost almost 40 to 50% more than regular baby food.
Is Organic Better?
With the general popularity of organic foods, it is not surprising that these organic baby foods are now available. But are these organic baby foods more nutritious or safer for your baby?
According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, "there is no evidence that organic, natural, or health foods are any more nutritious or taste better than regular foods." And the U.S. Department of Agriculture "makes no claims that organically produced food is safer" either.
Organic foods can contain fewer pesticide residues than foods grown using traditional methods, but there is also no evidence that makes them safer for your baby.
But if it makes you feel better to feed your baby organic foods, and you don't mind the price difference, then there are a wide variety of organic baby foods to select from.
You can also make homemade baby food using organically grown fruits and vegetables, but again, those organic foods will likely be more expensive then conventionally grown foods.
Sources:
AAP. Guide to Your Child's Nutrition.
USDA. Organic Food Standards and Labels: The Facts.
