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Accepted manuscript

Nutritional value of organic food in children

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  26 February 2025

Arnaud De Luca Open the ORCID record for Arnaud De Luca [Opens in a new window] ,
Alain Bocquet ,
Sandra Brancato-Bouet ,
Martin Chalumeau ,
Christophe Dupont ,
Dominique Darmaun ,
François Feillet ,
Marie-Laure Frelut ,
Dominique Guimber  and
Alexandre Lapillonne
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Arnaud De Luca*
Affiliation:
University Hospital of Tours, INSERM UMR 1069 N2C, University of Tours, F-37000 Tours, France
Alain Bocquet
Affiliation:
University of Franche-Comté, F-25000 Besancon France.
Sandra Brancato-Bouet
Affiliation:
Association française de pédiatrie ambulatoire (AFPA), F-44150 Ancenis – Saint-Géréon, Cabinet de pédiatrie, F-30190 Brignon, France
Martin Chalumeau
Affiliation:
Université Paris Cité, Obstetrical Perinatal and Pediatric Epidemiology Research Team, INSERM, Department of General Pediatrics and Pediatric Infectious Diseases, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, Necker-Enfants malades Hospital, F-75015 Paris, France
Christophe Dupont
Affiliation:
Professor Emeritus, Paris Descartes University, Paris, France; Clinique Marcel Sembat, Ramsay Group, Boulogne Billancourt, France
Dominique Darmaun
Affiliation:
Professor Emeritus of Nutrition, Nantes University, F-44000 Nantes, France
François Feillet
Affiliation:
Reference Centre for Inborn Errors of Metabolism, University Children’s Hospital of Nancy, INSERM U1256 NGERE, University of Lorraine, F-54500 Vandoeuvre-lès-Nancy, France
Marie-Laure Frelut
Affiliation:
Association française de pédiatrie ambulatoire (AFPA), F-44150 Ancenis – Saint-Géréon, Cabinet de pédiatrie, F-81000 Albi, France
Dominique Guimber
Affiliation:
Department of Pediatric Gastroenterology-Hepatology and Nutrition, Hôpital Jeanne de Flandre, University Hospital of Lille, F-59037 Lille-cedex, France
Alexandre Lapillonne
Affiliation:
Department of Neonatology, APHP, Necker-Enfants Malades University Hospital, EHU 7328 Paris Cite University, F-75015 Paris, France, and CNRC Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
Agnès Linglart
Affiliation:
University Paris Saclay, INSERM, Department of Endocrinology and Diabetology for Children and Department of Adolescent Medicine, Reference Center for Rare Disorders of the Calcium and Phosphate Metabolism, Filière OSCAR and Platform of expertise for rare diseases Paris-Saclay, INSERM Endocrinologie et physiopathologie endocrinienne, Bicêtre Paris-Saclay University Hospital, F-94270 Le Kremlin-Bicêtre, France
Sophie Nicklaus
Affiliation:
Centre des Sciences du Goût et de l’Alimentation, CNRS, INRAE, Institut Agro, Université de Bourgogne, F-21000 Dijon, France
Noël Peretti
Affiliation:
Université Claude Bernard Lyon-1, CarMEN laboratory, INSERM U1060, INRAE 1397, 69495 Pierre Benite. Hospices Civil de Lyon HCL, Department of Pediatric Gastroenterology-Hepatology and Nutrition, Hôpital Femme Mere Enfant, F-69500, BRON, France
Jean-Christophe Rozé
Affiliation:
Neonatal Department, Nantes University, F-44000 Nantes, France
Umberto Simeoni
Affiliation:
Lausanne University, CH-1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
Jean-Pierre Chouraqui
Affiliation:
Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Grenoble-Alpes (CHUGA), University of Grenoble-Alpes, F-38000 Grenoble, France. Chair of the Committee on Nutrition, France
*
Corresponding author: Arnaud DE LUCA, Address: CHU Tours Bretonneau, 2 bd Tonnellé, F-37044 Tours Cedex 09, Telephone: +33 2 47 47 47 26, fax: +33 2 47 47 60 15, e-mail: [email protected]
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Abstract

In Europe, organic food must comply with specific regulations which do not include nutritional criteria. The ability of organic food to meet the nutritional needs of children is not assessed. This narrative review discusses the nutritional composition (macronutrients, micronutrients) of organic food compared to conventional products and its clinical relevance with a pediatric focus, and the health impact of these differences and of contaminants which interfere with metabolism. Other potential differences, particularly regarding the direct/indirect exposure to other contaminants in conventional food, are not addressed in this review. The composition of some organic food may differ from conventional food. Protein content was lower in cereals and eggs. A lower n-6:n-3 polyunsaturated fats (PUFA) ratio was observed in milk, meat and eggs. Long-chain PUFA and vitamin E may be higher in milk, meat, and fish, as some minerals and antioxidants (phenolic compounds, vitamin C) in fruits, vegetables, and starchy food and carotenoids in fruits and vegetables. Epidemiological studies suggest an association between organic diets and lower prevalence of childhood obesity, type 2 diabetes and metabolic syndrome, whereas the protective effect on allergy and cancer is controversial. Some organic food may have a better nutritional interest for children’s diet than conventional food. Standardized studies comparing food composition and diet in children are needed. Considering the lower toxicologic risk and the sustainability of organic food, the Committee on Nutrition encourages the use of organic food, provided such food is affordable, alongside specific baby food which are subject to strict specific EU regulations.

Keywords

nutritional contenthealth outcomesdiet compositionfood intake
Type
Review Article
Information
Nutrition Research Reviews , Accepted manuscript , pp. 1 - 48
Copyright
© The Author(s), 2025. Published by Cambridge University Press on behalf of The Nutrition Society

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