Are you eating contaminated food? The Environmental Working Group (EWG) ranked the pesticide contamination for 49 popular fruits and vegetables based on an analysis of 89,000 tests for the contaminants conducted from 2000 to 2008 by the US Department of Agriculture and the Food and Drug Administration.
Below are the top 12 most contaminated foods:
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1 | Celery was the most contaminated of the produce, as it was treated with up to 67 different pesticides. In addition, 95 percent of all samples testing positive for pesticides and nearly 85 percent containing multiple pesticides. The 2008 USDA Pesticide Data Program found 11 carcinogenic pesticide residues on celery. It is not easy to wash off pesticide residue from celery, so organic celery is recommended. |
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2 | Peaches also had been treated with combinations of up to 67 different chemicals. Nearly 86 percent of peaches contained two or more pesticide residues. The 2008 USDA Pesticide Data Program found eight carcinogenic pesticide residues on peaches. Skinning a peach can help, but organic is best. |
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3 | Strawberries had up to 13 pesticides detected on a single sample. One of the pesticides approved for use on strawberries is methyl iodide, which was recently approved by the California Department of Pesticide Regulation (the state where 80% of strawberries are grown). Methyl iodide causes cancer in rodents, and EPA notes that chronic inhalation of the pesticide may damage the human central nervous system. Long-term skin contact can cause burns in animals and people. |
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4 | Apples were treated with up to 47 different chemicals, and 82.3 percent of apples had two or more pesticide residues. Apple peels contain lots of important nutrients, so peeling a conventionally grown apple is like throwing away much of its nutrition. |
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5 | Blueberries (domestic) are a new addition to the list, with experts finding 13 pesticides on a single sample. The 2008 USDA Pesticide Data Program found eight known or probable carcinogenic pesticide residues on blueberries. Organic or wild untouched blueberries are better choices. |
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6 | Nectarines tested positive for pesticides in 95.1 percent of cases, and 80.6 percent has two or more pesticide residues. The 2008 USDA Pesticide Data Program found five known or probable carcinogenic pesticide residues on nectarines. |
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7 | Bell peppers had two or more pesticide residues in 61.5 percent of cases, and they are treated with up to 63 different chemicals. The 2004 USDA Pesticide Data Program found nine known or probable carcinogenic pesticide residues on bell peppers. |
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8 | Spinach was the most contaminated of the greens tested, with 9 different pesticides found on it. The 2008 USDA Pesticide Data Program found five known or probable carcinogenic pesticide residues on spinach. |
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9 | Cherries can be treated with more than 40 different pesticides. According to the 2008 USDA Pesticide Data Program report, five known or probable carcinogenic pesticide residues were found on cherries. |
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10 | Kale and collard greens share the tenth spot. More than half (53.2%) of collard greens were found to have multiple pesticides, and kale can be treated with up to 57 chemicals. The 2008 USDA Pesticide Data Program found six known or probable carcinogenic pesticide residues on both kale and collard greens. |
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11 | Potatoes may grow underground but they are not immune to pesticides. Nearly 85 percent of potatoes tested positive for pesticides, and up to 37 different chemicals can be used to treat potatoes. The 2008 USDA Pesticide Data Program found seven known or probable carcinogenic pesticide residues on potatoes. |
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12 | Imported grapes are more likely to be contaminated than domestically grown grapes. Because they have thin skins, it is very difficult to wash away contaminants from grapes. Both organic grapes and organic wine are recommended. |
