On a yearly basis, the Environmental Working Group publishes a list with the 12 produce items with the highest level of pesticide residue of veggies and fruits tested by the USDA.
Believe it or not, in 2017, 178 distinct types of pesticides were discovered in the tested products. And, 70 percent of the items which were tested had at least one pesticide. Unfortunately, the residue is there even after we peel and clean the fruit or veggie.
As opposed to this list, there is the Clean Fifteen one that contains the foods with the lowest amount of pesticides and safe for consumption.
How Pesticides Harm Our Health?
Pesticides can damage our environment and pile up in the ecosystems. Depending on the dosage, some pesticides can cause serious health issues such as cancer, lung damage, reproductive damage, and endocrine and immune system failure.
The Top 5 Fruits & Veggies with the most Pesticides
According to the 2017 report, here are the 5 most contaminated foods and veggies
- Strawberries
This fruit was found to contain residues from 20 distinct pesticides- a real chemical cocktail
- Spinach
This green veggie contained twice the amount of pesticide residue by weight than the other items tested. Moreover, 75 percent of the samples had in them some banned pesticide in Europe.
- Nectarines
The nectarine and peach texture seems to be ideal for pesticide absorption. Once, in 2012, nectarines were the fullest with pesticides than any other fruit or veggie.
- Apples
A number one on this list for several years, apples have now dropped to the fourth place. However, they are still full of toxins. This being said, when choosing apples, try to find organic ones.
- Peaches
Peaches have a texture that absorbs toxins and pesticides. It can contain up to 62 different pesticide residues- 8 of them are possible carcinogens, 24 are hormone disruptors, 12 are neurotoxins, and 9 are reproductive or developmental.
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