Pesticides In Food: What To Eat And What To Avoid (PHOTOS)

With the latest news that ADHD in children is linked to common pesticides used on fruits and vegetables, it is more important than ever to be aware of what we are putting on our plates. Of the 1.2 billion pounds of pesticides used annually in the US, less than .01% actually reach their intended targets--the bugs! Obviously they are completely contaminating our food, and the consequences are disastrous, with numerous national and international government agencies acknowledging the connection to various health problems--nervous system toxicity, cancer, hormone system effects, and irritation of skin, eyes, and lungs among them.

Unfortunately, due to cost and availability, organic food which is grown without any pesticides, is not a plausible option for every family. Thankfully, the Environmental Working Group has put together a ranked list of the 49 most purchased produce items, based on laboratory tests conducted by the US Department Of Agriculture Pesticide Testing Program. So if you can't get organic, at least you know which foods are the safest, and which should be avoided.

The EWG rated the 49 food items based on a variety of measurements, including percent of detectable pesticide and multiple pesticides, average number and amount of pesticides on samples, and maximum number and amounts of pesticides per item. The list is based on an analysis of 96,000 pesticide tests the USDA and FDA conducted between 2000 and 2008. Most of the tests were conducted on produce that had been rinsed and peeled.

View the EWG's full list of 49 produce items here. They've also compiled a handy pocket shopping guide with the "Dirty Dozen" worst and "Clean 15" best of the list here.

We've put together a slideshow of the 5 most contaminated conventionally grown fruits and veggies you'll want to stay away from, as well as the 5 safest to consume with the least amount of toxins.

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Celery (WORST)

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Celery ranks worst when it comes to pesticide contamination. 95% of celery tested contained pesticides, and 85% contained multiple pesticides. A single celery had 13 different chemicals on it, while 67 different pesticides were used on the entire group of celery.

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Celery ranks worst when it comes to pesticide contamination. 95% of celery tested contained pesticides, and 85% contained multiple pesticides. A single celery had 13 different chemicals on it, while 67 different pesticides were used on the entire group of celery.

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Comments

[organicconnect]

10:55 AM on 06/16/2010

Finding safe foods has become a bigger and bigger problem. There is a non-profit in the Pacific Northwest that has done some admirable work on this problem. Hopefully they can expand to larger territories: http://organicconnectmag.com/wp/2010/06/bringing-back-locally-grown-produce/

[Bernie M]

08:35 PM on 06/07/2010

More solid information for those trying to eat healthy. I especially liked the Dr. Weil video.

[John Mancini]

07:06 PM on 06/05/2010

I have a question.

Is there an effective way to get pesticides OFF fruits and vegetables that are not organic ?
Will washing suffice?
Do the products I've seen advertised that claim to assist in washing off pesticides really work?

Ok, that was three questions, but you get the idea.

Thanks !

[linear2ndorder]

12:40 PM on 06/03/2010

As the use of pesticides has increased so have life expectancies, more exposure to pesticides results in longer healthier lives.

[SpikeC]

09:04 PM on 06/04/2010

As space shuttle flights increased so did life expectancy. Space shuttles make you live longer.

[Cactusman]

07:31 AM on 06/27/2010

Here, have a cup of carbofuran tea. Would you like to sweeten that with some malathion?

[berrylava]

03:48 PM on 06/01/2010

Awesome story - glad to see this on HP.

If the high cost for organic is prohibitive for you, I have some suggestions that have worked for me. After all, you might spend more time and money on doctor appointments if you don't switch to a healthier diet, which begins with organic food.

Encourage neighbors, co-workers, everyone you can to purchase more organic produce - the more your community buys the less expensive it is. Where I live (Oregon) the cost for organic produce is almost the same as conventional because it is in high demand here.

Grow a garden :-)

Cook more at home, the more often you do the faster and easier it becomes. You can make much tastier and healthier meals at home than you can buy for four times the cost at a restaurant, thus you have more to spend on organic food.

Eat vegetarian a couple of meals a week - or more. Nothing is cheaper than beans and legumes, and they are loaded with fiber and protein. Make refried bean hard shell tacos one night - try that lasagna with mushrooms instead of meat. I think you'll find you don't miss the meat and you can save a lot of money (and calories) going veg every once in awhile.

I'm a student and am able to afford eating almost 100% organic food - I know you can do it too :-)

[CaptJeff Steele]

11:01 AM on 05/31/2010

New technology has created plant-based alternatives to pesticide chemicals that are safe and non-toxic. These materials actually enhance the plants and improve the soil for better yeild. Less fertilizer is required reducing the stormwater runoff problems. You must also understand the pollution of our drinking water where all these chemicals end up. The problem is Big Chemical continues with its 1950 petro-based products and is still developing more today. Big Chemical also owns the EPA and basically controls what is approved or not, protecting their market. If the EPA and FDA where truly about protecting the people all of these pesticides would be replaced with the safe and non-toxic 2010 technologies. FOLLOW THE MONEY, it's not about the people, it never was.

[Northwestgirl]

12:56 PM on 05/28/2010

Basically what the list tells me that food which I have to peel is ok,but fruit like grapes,strawberries,blueberries etc should be organic if possible.

[Ted Sopher]

09:46 PM on 05/26/2010

buy local fruits! support local farmers who hopefully dont use too many or any pesticides

[Susan Emmer]

03:33 PM on 05/25/2010

Scary news! It is important to note that water alone will not remove all the pesticides from produce whether it is organic or not. I recently found a great product called Eatcleaner (www.eatcleaner.com), that is available as a spray or wipes and removes 99% of all pesticides. It's not a total solution, but every little bit of prevention adds up.

[GerryS]

12:14 AM on 05/25/2010

best--------worst,

don't work at night,

whatever- sounds like a joe lackson song about cancer-----------------

[GerryS]

12:16 AM on 05/25/2010

joe jackson--------

[DaBluAce]

02:23 PM on 05/24/2010

I love me some plump blueberry fruit....how can they be the most contaminated!

[blueskybigstar]

08:30 PM on 05/22/2010

How do you avoid GMO corn?

[Captain Natural]

09:22 PM on 05/23/2010

currently the only way is to buy only certified organic products that show the label.

[blueskybigstar]

08:27 PM on 05/22/2010

The bugs don't mess with the celery in my garden. I can't imagine why they would have to use so much.

[PigsOnSoma]

08:25 AM on 05/22/2010

And my neighbors with kids all continue to use ChemLawn.

[Captain Natural]

09:25 PM on 05/23/2010

Even ChemLawn has learned a thing or two about chemicals and have started using more "green" products in the lawn care. These are chemicals that they say do not leach into the environment. This is a start. Their weed control system still has much to be desired.

[OrganicGeorge]

01:00 PM on 05/21/2010

There is no GMO corn for human consumption. GMO animal feed corn is so high in starch that's it's uneatable to humans.

This story is poorly written with many false or inaccurate statements.

I've been in the organic industry for over 20 years so I'm no supporter of synthetic pesticides but you can't make up fact to suit your story.

[lisakaz2]

04:22 PM on 05/22/2010

Then how did a student of mine maybe 8 or so years ago do a research paper on exactly this?

[sunshades]

12:59 PM on 05/23/2010

I'm no expert so maybe I'm wrong on this but I watched this documentary called "The World According to Monsanto" where they talked about how once Monsanto's GMOed corn gets in it's pretty difficult to limit it's reach and how France, Germany and several other countries have actually banned the corn in fear that it might be harmful for humans.

[Captain Natural]

09:31 PM on 05/23/2010

see this for more info on the damages of eating GMO corn
http://eatdrinkbetter.com/2010/01/12/study-links-gm-corn-consumption-to-organ-damage/