Sounds exciting doesn't it? A teaspoon of pesticide residue. It doesn't make the fruit or vegetable go down any easier. As a matter of fact, the pesticide residue will go down and stay with you for years to come causing untold damage to your body and nervous system.

The Environmental Working Group, a not for profit group has come out with a Shoppers Guide, a list of the twelve most contaminated fruits and vegetables called the "dirty dozen". They also have a list of the twelve cleanest ( those with a minimal amount of pesticide contamination).

The "Dirty Dozen" (starting with the most contaminated)
peaches
apples
sweet bell peppers
celery
nectarines
strawberries
cherries
pears
grapes (imported)
spinach
lettuce
potatoes

The "Cleanest 12" (starting with the cleanest)
onions
avocados
sweet corn (frozen)
pineapples
mangoes
asparagus
sweet peas (frozen)
kiwi fruit
bananas
cabbage 
broccoli 
papaya

And you were going to have peach cobbler for dessert? A computer analysis by the EWG found that consumers could reduce their pesticide exposure by nearly 90 percent by avoiding the most contaminated fruits and vegetables and eating the least contaminated instead. If you consume the "dirty dozen" you will be exposed to an average of 15 different pesticides each day according to Richard Wiles, the executive director of the Environment Working Group.

Eating from the cleanest group cuts the exposure down to only two a day. I don't know about you but I decided after I saw the list of the "dirty dozen" that I would definitely go organic because a lot of my favorites are on that list. I do like "peach cobbler"!

Why Should You Care About Pesticides?

The toxic effects of pesticide residue are cause for concern and becoming more documented every day. Their effects on people, especially during fetal development and childhood when just a little bit of the chemicals can cause a long lasting effect are not well understood and are just beginning to be researched.

The best course of action is to avoid those that are on the "Dirty Dozen" and to eat more of the "cleanest 12".

What about washing and peeling the skins?

Sometimes it helps! Washing and peeling were taken into consideration before they did the study. In other words bananas were peeled and pears were washed before the tests were done. Washing and rinsing fresh produce and fruit can reduce some levels of pesticide residue but unfortunately it does not eliminate them. It helps to peel, but down the drain go a lot of the good nutrients with the peels.

The best solution is to eat organic fruits and vegetables. If this is not an option or budget prohibitive, eat a variety of fruits and vegetables and be sure to wash with soap before enjoying.

The Bottom Line!

Protect yourself and your family. Do what you can to cut down on your exposure to pesticide residue. Buy local fruits and vegetables where you can ask the farmer if they use pesticides.

To download a copy of the Shopper's Guide, visit http://www.foodnews.org.

 

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