Fruits and veggies are essential parts of a well balanced diet.
They serve most nutrients and health benefits in abundance. However, the safety of these foods is crucial, particularly regarding pesticide contamination.
Each year, the Environmental Working Group (EWG) publishes a list identifying produce items that carry the highest levels of pesticides.
Here are 8 such food that has highest level of pesticides.
1. ​Strawberries
Strawberries consistently rank as the most contaminated fruit on the EWG’s Dirty Dozen list. Over 99% of the samples tested positive for pesticide residues. Alarmingly, about 30% of these strawberries contained residues from ten or more different pesticides. These chemicals include harmful substances linked to serious health issues. The high pesticide levels are concerning, especially since strawberries are a popular fruit consumed by many people each year.
​2. Spinach
Spinach is another vegetable that raises red flags due to its pesticide content. The EWG reports that 76% of spinach samples contained pesticide residues, with significant amounts of permethrin detected a neurotoxin harmful to both humans and animals. Given that spinach leaves are lightweight, the concentration of pesticides per weight is notably high compared to other produce. This makes spinach a food that consumers should consider buying organic to avoid potential health risks associated with pesticide exposure.
​3. Kale, Mustard, and Collard Greens
Leafy greens like kale, collard greens, and mustard greens are also heavily contaminated with pesticides. The EWG found a staggering 103 different pesticides on these greens. Approximately 60% of kale samples were tainted with DCPA, a pesticide classified as a potential human carcinogen by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The presence of such a wide variety of pesticides raises concerns about the safety of consuming these popular health foods.
4​. Grapes
More than 90% of the conventionally raised grape samples contained two or more pesticide residues. It thus indicates that contamination is common and that consumers should take precautions when purchasing grapes unless they are organic. Health risks from high pesticide residues in grapes can be very hazardous over time, thus cautioning consumers to seek the organic option whenever possible.
5. ​Peaches
Peaches are another fruit that tops the charts for pesticide contamination. The EWG reported that nearly all conventional peach samples 99% contained detectable pesticide residues. Furthermore, over 65% had four or more different pesticide residues present. This level of contamination is alarming for consumers who enjoy peaches as part of their diet and highlights the importance of choosing fresh and organic peaches.
6. ​Pears
Pears also featured prominently on the Dirty Dozen list, with more than half (61%) of pear samples testing positive for five or more pesticide residues. A total of 64 different pesticides were identified in these samples, raising concerns about the safety and health implications for consumers. Given this high level of contamination.
7. ​Nectarines
Nectarines often also have high levels of pesticide residues. More than 90 percent of the samples of nectarines from conventional sources had two or more pesticide residues. Consumers should thus exercise caution. One sample has been reported to have over 15 pesticide residues.
​8. Apples
Apples are very popular among people, but apparently they come with their own share of concerns over pesticide contamination. EWG discovered that over 90% of the tested conventional apple samples had at least two pesticide residues present. In fact, close to 80% showed the presence of diphenylamine, a chemical substance banned in Europe because it was found to pose health hazards. Therefore, choosing organic apples can help tackle harmful exposure to pesticides while continuing enjoying this popular fruit.
