About one billion pounds of conventional, synthetic pesticides are used each year in the United States to control weeds, insects, and other so-called pests.
This number began rising in the mid-1990’s, with the advent of genetically modified foods, which are engineered in a lab to withstand large spraying of Roundup herbicides. Other GMO crops such as Bt corn produce pesticides within the plant itself.
The overuse of pesticides is a real problem in the United States, and it shows no signs of slowing.
In order to educate consumers on the pitfalls of pesticide use, the Environmental Working Group (EWG) releases lists each year warning consumers about the dangers of pesticides in certain crops.
Based on this year’s lists, the top ten pesticide-soaked crops to avoid are as follows:
10. Pears – With their soft skin, pears are one of the most vulnerable crops to pesticide residues soaking into them. They came in number ten on this year’s list in large part because of the sheer number of pesticides found within.
9. Peaches – A gourmet fruit sold at a premium price, peaches also have soft skin and were detected to carry a relatively toxic load of synthetic pesticides. The more you consume pesticide-laced fruits and vegetables like these, the more likely you will find pesticide residues in your blood.
8. Cherries – More than 90% of cherry samples tested positive for two or more synthetic pesticides.
7. Bell and hot peppers – Peppers have been on the EWG’s list for years, including in recent years when two types of hot peppers were discovered to be extraordinarily toxic, poisoning a certain group of consumers.
Recent research has shown that non-organic hot peppers could contain trace levels of highly hazardous pesticides that are highly toxic to the human body, according to recent research.
With this in mind, organic hot peppers are worth the extra money.
6. Grapes –Grapes are one of the healthiest foods for the lymphatic system. But if you consume non-organic grapes regularly, the pesticides within could take a serious toll. More than 90 percent of non-organic grape samples tested positive for two or more pesticides this year.
5. Apples – Apples are seen as the most wholesome food you could ever eat. Rich in pectin, a fiber that binds to and removes toxins from the body, and other key nutrients, apples are a nutritional powerhouse.
But conventional U.S. apples have been banned in Europe due to pesticides that are not allowed overseas.
4. Nectarines – More than 90% of nectarine samples also tested positive for two or more pesticides on this year’s EWG list.
Nectarines have soft skin which means it is difficult to fully wash off pesticide residues, even if you decide to use the number one most effective method.
3. Kale, Collard and Mustard Greens – One sample of kale, collard and mustard greens had as much as 21 pesticide residues. You’re better off buying organic whenever possible.
2. Spinach – More than 90% of spinach also tested positive for two or more pesticide residues on this year’s list.
In recent years, spinach tested to have the most pesticide residue by weight of any produce item, and it may be especially harmful to children if consumed too often.
These soft-skin fruits finished number one for dirtiest produce item in the United States this year.
Previous tests on strawberries have found up to 54 different pesticide residues.
Conventional strawberries may be cheap and delicious, but they exact a price in terms of our health, the health of farmers, and the health of our soil and environment.
Alt Health Works / Crickey Conservation Society 2022.