Is the comforting thought of eating organic food nothing more than a security blanket? Possibly, according to a food expert who devoted several years to research and even written a book on the topic titled "The Truth About Organics." Alex Avery, director of research and education for the Hudson Institute's Center for Global Food Issues has even gone so far as to call the concept of eating organic "a total con."

Ouch! Those are fighting words and Avery certainly doesn't seem interested in beating around any bushes.

"There is not a shred of science" to back up claims that organic is safer or more nutritious, he said.

There's a long list of criteria for food that is certified organic by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), however Avery takes issue with the fact that while a USDA seal of approval addresses how food is grown, it does not take into account food safety or nutrition, meaning organic food is ripe with the potential to carry salmonella and E.coli thanks to fertilizer used to produce the food. He also claims that natural pesticides like copper solutions that are approved in organic farming can be toxic.

Organic Trade Association representative Holly Givens swung right back at Avery's statements.

“Many consumers see a link between agricultural practices and the health of the earth, and how those systems are interconnected with human health,” Givens said. “They see organic products as a solution, not as part of the problem. Organic fits in with the desire to lead a more healthful life."

While Avery certainly doesn't agree with those sentiments, it turns out he's cut back his work at the institute to part-time since the popularity of organic food is increasing, with the rate of growth in 2008 expected to be in the double digits and despite the drama on Wall Street recently, expected to hit the $32.9 billion mark.

“There's no money in being on the common sense side against a very popular bandwagon,” he said.

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