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Episode
13 Foods You Should NEVER Buy Organic
~12 min
Episode Brief·YouTube

13 Foods You Should NEVER Buy Organic

Eric Berg
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TL;DR

The four things you'd lose by not watching

4 items

TL;DR

The four things you'd lose by not watching

4 items
1

Skip organic for 13 foods where shells, peels, or nature make pesticide residue negligible: sea salt, wild salmon, avocados, baking soda, mineral water, hard-shell nuts, coconuts, cabbage (remove outer leaves), bananas, and game meat. You'll save 50-80%.

2

Always buy organic for 11 high-risk foods: peanuts, strawberries, coffee, tea, chocolate, cotton (especially tampons and baby items), spinach, apples, grapes, cherries, and all wheat/oats/lentils/pulses — due to heavy spraying, thin skins, or glyphosate used as a drying agent on non-GMO grains.

3

Organic labeling is confusing: 'made with organic ingredients' = 70%, 'organic' = 95%, '100% organic' = 100%. Organic junk food like Pop-Tarts has the same sugar/starch; hydroponic organic lacks soil microbes and isn't healthier.

4

Non-GMO does not mean pesticide-free. Glyphosate (Roundup) is sprayed on non-GMO wheat, oats, barley, buckwheat, lentils, and pulses as a pre-harvest drying agent. Only organic certification guarantees no glyphosate.

Protocols

Concrete recipes — what, when, how much, and why

2 items

Remove outer cabbage leaves to minimize pesticide residues

WhatPeel away and discard the outer leaves of conventional cabbage before eating the inner leaves.
WhenWhenever you prepare non-organic cabbage.
For whomAnyone who eats non-organic cabbage.
WhyPesticides are sprayed on the outer surface but do not penetrate to the core, so removing the outer layer eliminates most residues.
CaveatsAssumes no systemic pesticides that migrate internally; works best with head-forming cabbages.
Personal experience

I do that — take the outer part of that cabbage away.

All you have to do is take the outer part of that cabbage away and then you're not going to have any pesticides. So, that's one thing that I do.

Peel apples to reduce pesticide exposure

WhatPeel conventional apples before eating to remove a good amount of surface pesticide residues, though the peel is not a complete barrier.
WhenWhen consuming non-organic apples and unable to obtain organic.
For whomNon-organic apple eaters.
WhyMuch of the sprayed pesticides sit on the peel; removing it significantly reduces intake, but the speaker warns that the apple peel is not as impenetrable as a nut shell.
CaveatsNot a full substitute for organic; the peel is more permeable than a hard shell, so some pesticides may still be present internally. The speaker still recommends organic apples as the better choice.

I think if you actually peeled the apples, you probably could take off uh a good amount of those pesticides. But apparently the peel is definitely different than a shell from a nut. So you're not going to get the same protection.

What's new

Personal practice updates, fresh positions, predictions

2 items

organic-junk-food-and-hydroponic-misleading

Organic certification does not mean healthier when applied to ultra-processed snacks or hydroponically grown vegetables, because sugar, starch, and missing soil biology undermine any perceived benefit.

Why this matters: Challenges the widespread belief that 'organic' automatically equals nutritious, exposing marketing that can lead consumers to pay premium prices for equivalent junk food or incomplete produce.

Background

The organic label was created to signify absence of synthetic pesticides, but over time it expanded to include highly processed items and soilless hydroponic systems. Consumers often equate the term with overall healthfulness without scrutinizing ingredient quality or growing methods.

The speaker highlights two major gaps in the organic halo. First, processed organic snacks — such as organic Pop-Tarts — contain the same massive sugar and refined starch loads as conventional versions. Replacing synthetic additives with organic sweeteners or flours does not change the nutritional profile, and eating them confers no real health advantage; it can even create a false sense of permission to overconsume empty calories. The packaging's green and brown cues only amplify the illusion. Second, hydroponic farming, where plants grow in a mineral solution without soil, can earn organic certification, yet the speaker argues that soil's microbial ecosystem — which contributes to plant nutrient density and phytochemical richness — is missing. Without the soil microbiome, a hydroponic 'organic' label doesn't signify the same complexity as soil-grown produce. He also reminds viewers of the three organic labeling tiers: 'made with organic ingredients' requires only 70% organic content, 'organic' need 95%, and '100% organic' must be entirely organic, adding to consumer confusion.

They have the same amount of sugar and starch, but they're organic. So, when you actually consume the organic version, it's not going to make you any healthier.

Also said
“And if I'm not mistaken, they also have the certification of organic, which I don't really like because you're growing vegetables in water with some minerals in it and it's not complete. It's not like soil where you have the microbes.”— Adds the hydroponic dimension, reinforcing that organic certification can be granted to methods the speaker deems inferior.

glyphosate-drying-agent-on-non-gmo-grains

Non-GMO wheat, oats, lentils, and pulses are routinely sprayed with glyphosate as a harvest desiccant, meaning only organic versions reliably avoid this herbicide, contradicting the assumption that non-GMO equals pesticide-free.

Why this matters: Closes a critical gap in consumer knowledge: avoiding GMOs does not protect against glyphosate exposure, a herbicide of significant public health debate. Many health-conscious shoppers inadvertently purchase glyphosate-treated foods.

Background

The non-GMO verification project and similar labels certify the absence of genetically engineered material but do not restrict synthetic herbicide use. Glyphosate, the active ingredient in Roundup, is widely employed in conventional agriculture not only as a weedkiller but also as a pre-harvest drying agent on various grain and pulse crops. Agricultural surveys have documented residues in common foods, yet the non-GMO label offers no safeguard.

The speaker explains that farmers apply glyphosate to crops like wheat, oats, barley, buckwheat, lentils, and pulses shortly before harvest. This practice, known as desiccation, kills the plant uniformly and dries the grain for easier, more predictable combine harvesting. The problem is that residues of glyphosate can remain on the harvested food product. Because the non-GMO standard only addresses genetic modification, these crops can still legally receive this treatment. Organic certification, by contrast, explicitly prohibits synthetic herbicides, so choosing organic versions of these staples is the only way to avoid glyphosate residues. The speaker warns that many consumers buy non-GMO thinking they are choosing a cleaner product, when in reality they could be exposing themselves to a chemical of concern. He strongly urges anyone who eats these foods to prioritize organic over merely non-GMO.

Even if you see non-GMO wheat, that means it's not genetically modified. But it doesn't mean they're not spraying an herbicide called glyphosate, which is Roundup Ready on it, because that's what they do as a drying agent.

Also said
“When they say organic, that means it's not genetically modified. But when they say it's not genetically modified, that doesn't mean that they don't spray it with some herbicides.”— Reinforces the asymmetry: organic implies non-GMO, but non-GMO does not imply organic-level pesticide restrictions.

Recommendations

Products, supplements, and tools mentioned in the episode

14 items

Skip organic sea salt

Practice

Sea salt is a mineral that pests don't eat, so it is not treated with pesticides, insecticides, or herbicides. Organic labeling is a marketing ploy. The speaker still recommends choosing high-quality sources like Pink Himalayan, Celtic, Redmond, or Baja Gold without chasing organic.

Sea salt is a mineral, okay? it's not harvested with pesticides, insecticides, because pests don't eat sea salt.

Find Skip

Skip organic wild-caught salmon (and all wild fish)

Practice

Wild-caught fish feed naturally in the open ocean, so no one controls their diet. Calling them organic is meaningless marketing hype.

Yes, they actually have organic wild caught salmon. First of all, how you going to control what that wild fish is eating in the ocean. They're not in a farmed area. They're wild. So again, this is another marketing hype thing.

Find Skip

Skip organic avocados

Practice

Avocados have a very hard shell that forms a strong barrier, preventing pesticides from penetrating the flesh. You can save 50-80% by buying conventional.

Avocados are sprayed if it's conventional, but the shell is very, very hard. There's a very strong barrier. Those pesticides are not going to get through that shell.

Find Skip

Skip organic baking soda

Practice

Baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) is an alkaline mineral from the earth, not exposed to agricultural chemicals. Food-grade conventional is fine.

This baking soda is not going to be exposed to pesticides, insecticides, herbicides, fungicide. It's coming from the earth. So, you don't need to get it organic.

Find Skip

Skip organic mineral water

Practice

Water is not treated with agricultural pesticides, so the term organic mineral water is purely marketing. Just choose a good source.

Sometimes you'll see organic mineral water. I mean, does anyone really believe that that actually is a thing?

Find Skip

Skip organic hard-shell nuts (walnuts, pecans, Brazil nuts, macadamia nuts)

Practice

These nuts have extremely hard shells that pesticides cannot penetrate. Brazil nuts are also an excellent source of selenium. Conventional is safe.

Walnuts have a very hard shell. There is no way that any pesticide, herbicide, fungicide is going to penetrate that shell. … that also goes for pecans. They have hard shells. Brazil nuts have hard shells. Macadamia nuts have hard shells.

Find Skip

Skip organic coconuts

Practice

Coconuts have a super hard shell that no pesticide can penetrate, making organic unnecessary.

Coconuts. A super hard shell. There's no way a pesticide is going to penetrate that.

Find Skip

Skip organic cabbage (just remove outer leaves)

Practice

Cabbage is not heavily sprayed, and any residues stick to the outer leaves, which can be removed. Pesticides don't penetrate to the core.

Personal experience

I take the outer part of that cabbage away.

Cabbage is not a vegetable that is heavily sprayed, but it might be sprayed. All you have to do is take the outer part of that cabbage away and then you're not going to have any pesticides.

Find Skip

Skip organic bananas

Practice

The peel of a banana prevents pesticides from reaching the edible fruit, so organic isn't needed. (The speaker personally avoids bananas for other reasons but notes the peel protection.)

The banana has a peel that is going to prevent those pesticides from penetrating it.

Find Skip

Skip organic game meat (elk, wild boar, venison, etc.)

Practice

Wild game animals roam freely and are not fed controlled diets, so organic labeling is meaningless. Their feed cannot be certified.

If you're eating elk, wild boar or venison, those animals are out in the wild, right? They're not controlled in a small area where you're feeding them. So, there's no way you can control the food. And so, when someone says it's organic, it doesn't mean anything.

Find Skip

Buy organic peanuts

Practice

Peanuts grow in the soil with a very thin shell that acts like a sponge for heavy pesticide and fungicide applications used to combat mold. Organic is strongly recommended.

Peanuts have a very thin shell that is not grown on a tree. it is in the soil and they put heavy amounts of sprays and fungicides to counteract the mold that grows on these peanuts. And because that peanut shell is so thin, it's going to be like a sponge for pesticides.

Find Buy

Buy organic strawberries

Practice

Strawberries have no protective shell and absorb chemicals directly, functioning like a sponge. Always choose organic.

Growing strawberries. If you're doing strawberries, I would not do conventional. There's no shell. the chemicals go right in.

Find Buy

Buy organic coffee

Practice

Coffee is heavily sprayed with chemicals, often in tropical regions with high mold pressure. Organic certification is essential.

Coffee is one of the products that is heavily sprayed with a lot of chemicals. … If you're going to consume coffee, make sure it's organic.

Find Buy

Buy organic tea

Practice

Tea leaves are even more prone to chemical sprays than coffee beans, so organic is a must for tea drinkers.

Tea is also heavily sprayed, but because tea is like a leaf, you're going to get even more chemicals than coffee.

Find Buy

Notable quotes

Lines worth pulling out — contrarian, specific, or perfectly phrased

5 items
Sometimes you'll see organic mineral water. I mean, does anyone really believe that that actually is a thing?
Contrarian and humorous, highlighting the absurdity of organic labeling on items that were never treated with agricultural chemicals.
Sea salt is a mineral, okay? it's not harvested with pesticides, insecticides, because pests don't eat sea salt.
Concise, memorable logic that cuts through marketing for a common pantry item.
They have the same amount of sugar and starch, but they're organic. So, when you actually consume the organic version, it's not going to make you any healthier.
Plainly dispels the health halo of organic junk food, using a concrete Pop-Tart example.
Even if you see non-GMO wheat, that means it's not genetically modified. But it doesn't mean they're not spraying an herbicide called glyphosate, which is Roundup Ready on it, because that's what they do as a drying agent.
Powerful insight that non-GMO does not equal pesticide-free, specifically naming glyphosate and its application method.
Cotton tampons which actually go inside your body that you can be exposed to these chemicals that then those residues can be absorbed by your body.
Puts a rarely considered personal exposure route into stark terms, making the case for organic cotton tangible.

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Topics covered

organic-definitionorganic-label-tiershydroponic-organicorganic-junk-foodpesticide-residuemarketing-organichard-shell-barrierwild-fish-organicglyphosate-drying-agentnon-gmo-vs-organicheavy-spray-cropscotton-tampons-pesticidescabbage-peelingapple-peeling
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Educational summary of the cited expert source — not medical advice. Open the source recording linked above and consult a qualified physician before acting on any protocol.