Organic food isn't free of pesticides. However, pesticide levels on both organic and non organic foods are so low that they aren't of concern, according to the USDA.

The incredible success and sustained growth of the organic movement over the past several decades has led to many positive changes for the general food supply, which include the increased availability of clean food. But there is a common misperception among many in the natural health community that all organic food, and particularly all organic produce, is grown using absolutely no pesticides, herbicides, or other external inputs.

In truth, some organic foods are, indeed, grown with chemical inputs, which may come as a surprise to some. But the good news is that these inputs are not the same as the inputs used on conventional produce, and do not contain any synthetic ingredients. In most cases, natural and organic pesticides are developed completely from plant and herb components, and actually promote the health of both plants and soil.

Depending on the size, scope, and focus of a particular organic farm, varying cultivations standards can be legally employed and still be considered organic. Small-scale, family-operated biodynamic organic farms, for instance, may be able to successfully grow all their produce using absolutely no chemical interventions whatsoever, while larger-scale organic farms may need to apply certain chemical solutions to their crops in accordance with the official organic standards established by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).

Organically produced fruits and vegetables are grown in an environment absent of synthetic chemicals, yes, but the notion that they're grown without chemicals at all is false. The fact is, most state laws allow organic farmers to spray a whole gamut of chemical sprays, powders and pellets on their organic crops. That is, if they are 'organic' or natural chemical sprays, powders and pellets.