Is organic food worth the higher price? Many experts say no

ristin DiMarco was heading into a Trader Joe's in West Los Angeles the other day and knew for sure what she wouldn't be buying: anything organic.

"I just feel like I've already built up an immunity to anything that might be in my food," the 26-year-old told me.

Besides, she said, why would she want to pay a markup that can run double or triple the cost of conventional food?

"I don't think there's a big-enough difference in quality to justify those prices," DiMarco said.

Sushi to go: Does sales tax apply?

David Lazarus

Fred went to his favorite sushi restaurant the other day. For the first time, he says, the restaurant charged sales tax on his to-go order.

Fred went to his favorite sushi restaurant the other day. For the first time, he says, the restaurant charged sales tax on his to-go order. ( David Lazarus )

She's not alone. The market research firm Mintel released a study last week showing that younger consumers the fickle Gen X and millennial crowds are decidedly cynical about the high prices charged for organic goods.

Only about 40% of Gen Xers believe that organic is organic, Mintel found. And about half of all consumers think labeling something organic is just an excuse to charge more.

"Consumers are increasingly hard-pressed to justify the added expense," said Billy Roberts, Mintel's senior food and drink analyst. "As such, sales have hit something of a plateau, where they likely will remain until consumers have a clear reason to turn to organics."

The marketing of organic food should rightly make consumers wary. Is it really better for you? Is it that different from conventional foods?

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According to Consumer Reports, organic foods and beverages run an average 47% more in price than conventional alternatives. In some cases, the markup can be more than 300%. That's a hefty difference.

What you're paying for, presumably, is a more healthful diet. That means produce that hasn't been drenched in pesticides, chicken and beef that hasn't been pumped full of antibiotics, milk with even more nutritional value.

Lisa Herzig, an associate professor of nutrition at Fresno State, said common sense suggests that consuming foods with fewer pesticides will be better for you but not enough to justify paying significantly more.

"Buying organic does not necessarily mean there's more health and nutrition benefits," she said. "The pesticide content will be higher with conventional produce, but it's still at safe levels."

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Herzig said that what people who consistently eat organic foods are purchasing is the emotional satisfaction of knowing they're taking steps to improve themselves and the environment.

"Is it actually better for you?" she said. "I'd go with no."

The Mayo Clinic backs up that position. http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-lazarus-20150519-column.html