Introduction
It’s no secret that fruits and vegetables are essential for a healthy diet, but a new report has revealed that one popular fruit contains the most pesticides. The report, conducted by the Environmental Working Group (EWG), found that strawberries are the most contaminated fruit, with an average of seven different pesticides found on each sample. This is concerning news for health-conscious consumers, as pesticides can have a range of negative health effects. Fortunately, the EWG also provided some tips on how to reduce your exposure to pesticides when eating strawberries. Read on to find out what the EWG recommends and why this popular fruit contains the most pesticides.
This Popular Fruit Contains the Most Pesticides, New Report Says — Eat This Not That
A new report from the Environmental Working Group (EWG) has revealed that one of the most popular fruits in the United States contains the highest levels of pesticide residue. The report, which analyzed data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, found that strawberries are the most contaminated fruit, with an average of seven different pesticides found on each sample.
The report also found that apples, nectarines, peaches, celery, grapes, cherries, spinach, tomatoes, sweet bell peppers, and potatoes were among the other produce items with the highest levels of pesticide residue.
The EWG recommends that consumers buy organic versions of these fruits and vegetables whenever possible, as organic produce is grown without the use of synthetic pesticides. The organization also suggests that consumers buy locally grown produce, as it is often fresher and may contain fewer pesticides.
The report comes as the U.S. government is considering a new rule that would allow farmers to use more pesticides on their crops. The proposed rule, which is currently under review by the Environmental Protection Agency, would allow farmers to use more than 200 additional pesticides on their crops.
The EWG is urging the EPA to reject the proposed rule, arguing that it would put consumers at risk of exposure to potentially dangerous chemicals. The organization is also calling on the government to invest in research into safer, more sustainable farming practices.
The report is a reminder that consumers should be aware of the potential risks associated with eating conventionally grown produce. Eating organic produce whenever possible is one way to reduce exposure to potentially harmful chemicals.
If you’re a big fan of strawberries, you’re going to want to keep reading.
It’s widely known now that many conventional types of produce contain pesticides— but it’s best to buy organic if you can to steer clear of non-organic produce that’s part of the “dirty dozen.”
The dirty dozen is a ranking of the fruits and vegetables that contain the most pesticide residue. It classifies favorites like strawberries, spinach, kale, apples, grapes, cherries, peaches, and tomatoes as having a high level of pesticides.
Now, new research from the non-profit Environmental Working Group (EWG) says that a single strawberry may contain up to 23 different pesticides.
The dirty dozen list, published each year by the EWG, aims to guide shoppers toward making healthy choices for themselves and their families. We spoke with EWG healthy living science analyst Sydney Swanson to get insight into just how much pesticides are in our produce—and how they may be affecting our health.
“Exposure to pesticides has been linked to many adverse health effects, including hormone disruption, cancer, and brain and nervous system toxicity,” Swanson tells Eat This, Not That!. “A recent Harvard University study showed that eating produce high in pesticide residues may actually offset the beneficial effects of eating fruits and vegetables, like protection against cardiovascular disease and mortality. “
Currently, pesticide regulations are not strict enough to protect consumers, Swanson argues.
“Scientists have found that two or more pesticides in combination may cause greater toxicity than just one individual pesticide,” Swanson says. “This is alarming, as a single strawberry may have up to 23 different pesticides present on it.”
If you’d prefer to steer clear of pesticides in your produce, you may want to opt for what the EWG calls the “clean 15″—produce items that scored low on pesticide tests.
“Consumers hoping to limit their pesticide exposure may choose conventional versions of the produce on the clean 15 list and purchase organic versions of the produce on the dirty 12 list, when possible,” Swanson suggests. “It is important that shoppers eat enough fruits and vegetables, and by utilizing these helpful guides, they can ensure they are consuming enough produce while also reducing their pesticide load. “
To learn more about food safety, check out The #1 Reason Why You Need to Wash Organic Produce, New Report Says.
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