From fruits to veggies, eggs and nuts. You can find the word organic on many different foods at the store. But what exactly does that mean if produce is grown in soil that has not been sprayed with certain substances like fertilizers and pesticides for at least three years before harvest. The USDA considers it organic. Doctor Sanjay Gupta says reducing one's exposure to those chemicals is important. As he says, high pesticide levels in foods have been linked to increased cancer risk, diabetes and cardiovascular disease. *** reason going organic continues to gain popularity in 2010, an estimated 26.9 billion is estimated to have been spent in the US on organic foods. By 2021 sales reached 52 billion according to the Nutrition Business Journal. But as demand increases, so does the cost. So the question is, is that organically label really worth it? And the answer is it might be while the organic label doesn't guarantee you're gonna be pesticide free. *** consumer reports analysis did find most organic items were. But if you can't afford to buy organic, Gupta says that study shows you can still shop smart and healthy. He says to look for products grown in the US. What they found was that imported products accounted for 65 of the 100 highest pesticide risk items in the study. For health minute. I'm Mandy Gaither.