Every year, I like to summarize the "Dirty Dozen" list - fruits and vegetables that the US Department of Agriculture has deemed the highest in detectable pesticides based on their testing. This year, nearly 70% of samples of 48 types of fruits and vegetables had detectable pesticide residue. Scarily, the residue remained on fruits and vegetables even after they were washed, and in some cases, after they were peeled.
Even low levels of pesticides can be harmful to the developing brains of infants, babies and young children. We would all like to feed our children healthy fruits and vegetables, but "buyer beware" when shopping for them.
Highest levels of pesticide residue in commercially grown produce:
1. Strawberries - the most contaminated sample had over 20 pesticides detected!
2. Spinach - yikes! We are all buying this because it has some many great health benefits.
3. Nectarines
4. Apples
5. Peaches
6. Pears - new on the list this year
7. Cherries
8. Grapes
9. Celery
10. Tomatoes
11. Sweet bell peppers
12. Potatoes - also new this year
The solution? Buy organic and look into locally grown options - growing your own or checking local farmer's markets where you can inquire about their use of pesticides.
The Environmental Working Group has also published this list to help us - their ranking of produce they call the "Clean 15", least likely to contain pesticide residue. This helps if you are making a grocery list with "organic only" or "nonorganic ok" designations.
1. Sweet corn
2. Avocados
3. Pineapples
4. Cabbage
5. Onions
6. Sweet peas (frozen)
7. Papayas
8. Asparagus
9. Mangoes
10. Eggplant
11. Honeydew melons
12. Kiwi
13. Cantaloupe
14. Cauliflower
15. Grapefruit
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