When it comes to buying food for myself and my family, I’m extremely conscientious and take great care to buy the best foods I can afford. I scrutinize food labels and buy the freshest produce. I know that organic produce is better, but it isn’t always economically feasible. Therefore, I buy local produce that’s in season.
Since I’m not buying organic produce, which has lower levels of pesticide contamination, I know the produce I buy needs thorough washing and cleaning, to remove pesticide residue. However, I was still alarmed to learn that I’m buying some of the dirtiest fruits and vegetables that are highly contaminated with pesticides.
According to a guide written by the Environmental Working Group, a non-profit organization that seeks to empower consumers by its investigation and research on environmental issues, which impact human health, the fruits and vegetables below were ranked (lowest number = highest contamination), as having the highest levels of pesticides:
- apples
- strawberries
- grapes
- celery
- peaches
- spinach
- sweet bell peppers
- nectarines – imported
- cucumbers
- cherry tomatoes
EWG recommends that consumers choose organic selections, if the produce they regularly buy is on the list of dirty fruits and vegetables. Apples, which I buy weekly, were ranked #1 (sigh!)
As consumers, we should take steps to properly wash our produce, before consumption, and pray that it’s enough to protect our health.
More info:
- EWG’s Shopper’s Guide to Pesticide in Produce
- Complete list of pesticide levels in fruits and vegetables
Real Home Matters 