Pesky Produce Pesticides

by Diane Lofshult

We all know that eating lots of fruits and veggies can reduce our risk of serious diseases. But what if that produce we buy is laden with dangerous pesticides?

According to the research organization Environmental Working Group (EWG), you can limit the amount of pesticides you consume by purchasing organic produce. When organic is not readily available, the EWG recommends sticking to fruits and vegetables that have consistently low pesticide levels. Using data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Food and Drug Administration, the EWG recently published a list of the top 12 most and least contaminated fruits and vegetables, shown in alphabetical order:

Most Contaminated

apples
bell peppers
celery
cherries
imported grapes
nectarines
peaches
pears
potatoes
red raspberries
spinach
strawberries

Least Contaminated

asparagus
avocados
bananas
broccoli
cauliflower
corn (sweet)
kiwis
mangos
onions
papayas
pineapples
peas (sweet)

According to the EWG, these ratings are designed to help consumers reduce their pesticide intake, not eliminate particular types of produce from their diets. The EWG says that fruits and vegetables are essential to a healthy diet, but does recommend cutting back on pesticide intake in the same way you would reduce your fat or caloric intake.