by Government laboratory tests have found pesticides in a wide variety of non-organic produce, including nearly all non-organic strawberries, spinach, grapes, peaches, and leafy greens like kale, according to a new report.
Overall, 95 percent of the samples of these 12 non-organic fruits and vegetables contained detectable levels of pesticides, according to the report. This year, kale, collards, and mustard greens had the most pesticide residues, with 103 individual chemicals detected. Hot peppers were next on the list, with 101 chemicals.
Which Fruits and Vegetables are on the ‘Dirty Dozen’ this year?
The following products had the highest levels of pesticides in an EWG analysis of government testing (not listed in any particular order):
- Strawberries
- Spinach
- Kale, collards, and mustard greens
- Grapes
- peaches
- Pears
- Nectarines
- Apples
- Bell and hot peppers
- cherries
- Blueberries
- Green beans
What Pesticides Are Found in the ‘Dirty Dozen’?
Four of the five most frequently detected chemicals are fungicides, according to the EWG report. Two of these fungicides, fludioxonil and pyrimethanil, had the highest concentrations of any pesticide in the dozen most contaminated foods. Both of these fungicides are known as endocrine disruptors, because they disrupt key hormone systems in the body that are responsible for many aspects of growth and reproduction.
One reason fungicides may appear so often on non-organic fruits and vegetables is because they are applied while plants are growing to prevent or remove fungus such as mildew, and are applied after harvest. also to keep products mold-free while being transported to stores, according to EWG.
The produce is peeled or scrubbed and washed before being tested for pesticides by the US Department of Agriculture (USDA). Testing still found evidence of 254 different pesticides on fruits and vegetables, including 209 different pesticides on produce from the “Dirty Dozen” list, according to EWG.
Which Fruits and Vegetables are in the ‘Clean Fifteen’ This Year?
The EWG also identified a “Clean Fifteen” list of inorganic products that have found little or no pesticides in laboratory tests. These include (in no particular order):
- Avocados
- Sweet corn
- Pineapple
- Onions
- Pope
- Frozen peas
- Asparagus
- Honeydew melon
- kiwi
- Cabbage
- Whiskey
- Mushrooms
- Mangoes
- Sweet potatoes
- Carrots
No pesticides at all were found in nearly 65 percent of the samples for these foods, according to the EWG.
You Should Still Eat Plenty of Fruits and Vegetables, Even If You Can’t Buy Organic
There are ways to reduce your exposure to pesticides even when you can’t buy organic produce, which tends to be more expensive than non-organic alternatives, says Luz Claudio, PhD, professor of environmental medicine and public health in Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in New York City.
First, you can feel more confident buying non-organic fruits and vegetables on the “Clean Fifteen” shopping list, and reserve your budget for organic products to buy items on the “Dirty Dozen” list.
In addition, washing products vigorously with water and using baking soda or vinegar solution can help remove some pesticide residues, advises Dr. Claudio. Peeling products can also reduce chemical exposure, although this can also remove some key nutrients.
At the end of the day, the benefits of eating a diet rich in fruits and vegetables outweigh the risks of pesticide exposure from certain non-organic produce, says Samantha Heller, RD, a clinical dietitian in New York City.
“Fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, whole grains and beans are all healthy foods, whether they’re organic or not,” says Heller.
“Adopting a more plant-based dietary lifestyle is healthy for the individual and the planet,” says Heller. “We don’t want to scare people away from eating foods that are really healthy even if they’re not organic.”
Study Highlights Need to Advocate for Safer Agricultural Practices
While the EWG shopping guide can help people reduce their exposure to pesticides in foods, especially if they can’t afford to buy all organic produce, it doesn’t address the underlying agricultural and business practices that lead to pesticide use first of all, says Claudio.
She says, “It is equally important to advocate for and adopt safer agricultural practices that reduce exposure to farm workers, ecosystems, wildlife, and beneficial insects, and ultimately help reduce some of the collateral damage caused by by reducing the overuse of synthetic and other chemicals. potentially harmful agribusiness farming practices.”
