Produce and pesticides

Perhaps you’re wondering if all produce is created equal when it comes to pesticide residues. The answer is no; in general, fruits with thick rinds (like melons) will tend to have pesticides concentrated in the rind and not the fruit. Apples are heavily sprayed, and should be purchased from an organic orchard. Grapefruit, tangerines, and oranges have a relatively low pesticide risk. Of course, if you plan to use the rinds, buy organic.

Most berries are heavily sprayed with pesticides, but blueberries are among the lowest. Peaches are also rank high for pesticides, but plums have less. Among grapes, California grapes are low in pesticide residues and are sold between May and December. Grapes sold between December and May are imported, however, and are usually high in pesticide residues.

As for vegetables, celery, potatoes, bell peppers, and spinach are the ones most highly contaminated, and should be organic. Asparagus, avocados, broccoli, cauliflower, onions, sweet corn, peas, and mangos are the least contaminated, with very few detectable pesticide residues.

For more detailed information about produce and pesticides, visit the Environmental Working Group's webpage, located at foodnews.org. You can downloard their free "Dirty Dozen" card and take it with you on your next visit to the supermarket.

If you cannot find reasonably priced organic produce, do your best to wash off wax and other residues from supermarket produce with a brush and warm water. (A vegetable wash isn't necessary.) If you buy from farm stands and co-ops, you can ask them what chemicals, if any, are used on their produce.

Of course, there are many reasons for avoiding pesticide use. Pesticides get into the soil and wash into our water supplies, affecting wildlife. Farmers who are exposed to higher levels of pesticides have experienced health problems. Stay tuned for more research studies. To learn more about what's going on in Washington regarding this issue, or to read about side effects of pesticide use, go to beyondpesticides.org.

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