Organic food is no healthier than ordinary food, a large independent review has concluded.
BBC News website readers have been sending us their views on the report commissioned by the Food Standards Agency. Will it change your shopping habits?
I BUY ORGANIC FOOD
Because I see it as paying the farmer not to use unsustainable and polluting methods of farming, it doesn't matter if it tastes no better and has no significant health benefits to me. It's a matter of being a responsible human.
Christopher Gutteridge, Southampton
It worries me greatly that we are being bombarded with chemicals every time we eat, drink and breathe. There have been several unrelated cancers in my family in recent years and we think they are 'environmental' in origin.
Vivien Clark, Swansea
I buy it to reduce dependence on large agri-chemical companies which is unhealthy for our economy and food security. The same argument applies for GM food. Anything which concentrates power into organisations whose primary concern is to make profits rather than work well in a community has to be wrong.
Adam Cooper, London
The reason I buy it has little to do with health benefits, the main reason is that organic food has a far better taste - although organic onions do tend to make my eyes water a lot more.
Malcolm Hussain-Gambles, Leeds
There's more to it than human health! Unnecessary agri-chemicals in the food chain stressing weakened ecosystems.
Dunc, United Kingdom
Organic food might not be any different nutritionally to non-organic food but that's unlikely to stop people from buying it who don't want pesticide residues on their food.
It doesn't bother me that there is no health difference between the two, or, for that matter no taste difference. The difference is the effect on corporate power and control in our society.
Adam Cooper, London
For me, the choice of normal versus organic never had anything to do with nutritional values, but rather pesticide use. I'm actually a bit startled to read that people thought that organic foods were more nutritious!
Jennifer H, Czech Republic
Just on the level of common sense, whatever is most natural and organic will be most nourishing and supportive to health, well-being and longevity!
Anthony Miles, Brighton
Many studies present scientific findings that are within some realm of validity, however the scientists' ties to various market forces ultimately impacts how the material is presented and organized in the final report. Sadly, some of the studies are designed to confuse the public from using common sense and intuition.
The decision to buy an organic product is an ethical decision. Even on a student budget I try to buy as much ethically produced fruit and veg as I can. It's the least I can do. An extra 30 pence on your produce is simply cheap insurance of the future of the planet.
I DON'T BUY ORGANIC
Organic food is just another scam to grab more money from us! Peter Melchett, policy director at the Soil Association says in your article "There is not sufficient research on the long-term effects of pesticides on human health."
Equally, there is insufficient research to back up the view that long-term effects of pesticides in food are detrimental to our health; which is what they claim.
I generally don't buy organic because I don't think it's worth the price, given that I have yet to be convinced that its quality is better as frequently alleged, especially by those who sell it.
Leslie Schockner, Portland, USA
This confirms what I always suspected. I don't buy organic because I think a lot is wasted because food has still got to 'look nice' on the shelves. Organic food costs more generally and the reason I think most people who pay the extra for organic do so, is because they think it is healthier for them.
A study, highlighting the limited nutritional difference between organic and conventionally produced food, will be welcome for those who are unable to afford the price premium of organic food. There will always be those for whom organic food is "trendy".
I think it would be more interesting to compare the health impacts of using fertilizers or not etc. That's why most people are turning to organic. They don't want to eat harmful chemicals. Not because they think an organic tomato will have more vitamin C or whatever. I don't eat organic. I think a lot of it is a gimmick.
Amanda Cummins, Sunderland