Organic milk nutrient premium confirmed — but iodine deficit is a supply-chain liability
A 2016 systematic review and meta-analysis (the largest of its kind) found organic milk contains higher n-3 PUFA, conjugated linoleic acid, and α-tocopherol than conventional milk, but lower iodine and selenium — nutrients with recognised UK public health significance. Two broader organic-versus-conventional reviews found limited evidence of overall nutritional superiority. Mycotoxin risk in organic cereals remains contested. Practical implication: any provenance claim built on organic dairy's fatty-acid profile is defensible, but must be qualified against iodine and selenium reduction, particularly for vulnerable consumer groups.