Apples have have officially been dethroned as the Environmental Working Group’s or EWG’s most pesticide-loaded produce. The new fruit that tops organization’s “Dirty Dozen” list, is “strawberry.
EWG uses the data from the US Department of Agriculture or USDA and the Food and Drug Administration or FDA. Strawberry is the most contaminated produce item fro 2016 and the once seasonal fruit has made the top mark for the first time.
Why?
The researchers found that almost 98% of samples of strawberries contained at least one pesticide. One sample even contained 17 different chemicals.
As per the report, the movement of strawberries to the top of the list can be linked to the growers’ desire to make the seasonal fruit available all-year-round. With that change came the increase in pesticides.
Other Fruits that are Included in the List:
The list below are the 12 most pesticide-contaminated grown fruits and vegetables. They are also known as the Dirty Dozen.
Dirty Dozen
- Strawberries
- Apples
- Nectarines
- Peaches
- Celery
- Grapes
- Cherries
- Spinach
- Tomatoes
- Sweet bell peppers
- Cherry tomatoes
- Cucumbers
Clean Fifteen
The Clean Fifteen or what is known as the safe produce, are exactly what you should be adding to your grocery list.
- Avocados
- Sweet corn
- Pineapples
- Cabbage
- Sweet peas (frozen)
- Onions
- Asparagus
- Mangos
- Papayas
- Kiwifruit
- Eggplant
- Honeydew melon
- Grapefruit
- Cantaloupe
- Cauliflower
Conclusion
Reaching for certified organic products can help limit your exposure to these pesticides and may also help limit the mold in your diet. Vegetables and fruits are important for your health, but for those on the Dirty Dozen list, experts recommend buying the organic versions, to avoid pesticides.