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CNN World Report

Organic Food Gains Popularity in Europe

Aired June 24, 2001 - 14:35   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
SHIHAB RATTANSI, CNN ANCHOR: In the aftermath of those European food scares, some consumers are looking for dietary alternatives, and many are choosing organic food. Since 1999. the land used for planting organic food in Britain nearly doubled to over 4,000 hectares.

ITN has more on the popularity of the organic choice.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

ANNABELLE ROBERTS, ITN REPORTER (voice-over): Sales of organic produce are increasing rapidly. Experts predict by 2005, every person will be spending 40 pounds a year on organic goods. The market is growing faster here than anywhere else in Europe, and soon we'll be eating more than any of our continental neighbors. One reason thought to be behind this is concern about food safety following diseases like BSE.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: They hear the food scares, they're worried about what they're eating, they're starting to think about what they put into their bodies. Yes, there are maximum residue levels that the government allows on food. So, say you eat an apple and it has chemicals that are below the maximum residue levels, but no one has studied what happens if you eat those foods your entire lifetime, and what that combination of cocktail chemicals does to you.

ROBERTS: But organic food is expensive to produce, and prices tend to be much higher than for conventional food.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Some organic produce can be two times as expensive as convention produce, so consumers that do have the flexibility to buy organic because they have the income to do it, they may turn to it, but for a lot of consumers, they may not well be able to afford organic food.

ROBERTS: Of those who choose not to buy organic, almost half say they are put off by the cost. But there are clearly plenty willing to pay the difference. Analysts predict in just four years, sales here will reach three billion pounds a year.

Annabelle Roberts, ITN.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

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