The Green Geek

Pesticides in Produce

A simulation done by the Environmental Working Group shows that people can lower their pesticide exposure by 90 percent by avoiding the top twelve most contaminated fruits and vegetables and eating the least contaminated instead. Eating the 12 most contaminated fruits and vegetables will expose a person to nearly 20 pesticides per day, on average. Eating the 12 least contaminated will expose a person to a fraction over 2 pesticides per day.

12 Most Contaminated – Buy These Organic

• Apples
• Bell Peppers
• Celery
• Cherries
• Imported Grapes
• Nectarines
• Peaches
• Pears
• Potatoes
• Red Raspberries
• Spinach
• Strawberries

12 Least Contaminated

• Asparagus
• Avocados
• Bananas
• Broccoli
• Cauliflower
• Corn (sweet)
• Kiwi
• Mangos
• Onions
• Papaya
• Pineapples
• Peas (sweet)

Many of the most contaminated plants are ones that can be grown at home, insluding bell peppers, strawberries and potatoes. These could also be grown in a hydroponic greenhouse locally, eliminating the need to import these items from countries that use pesticides. The report also addresses the question about washing produce; while it may reduce some surface residue, there is no significant effect from washing as the samples used in the tests were washed and/or peeled prior to testing.

Pesticides in produce – via FoodNews