Certain fruits and vegetables retain high levels of pesticides, even after being washed. Here are the top ten.
Organic food costs more than conventially-grown food. But is it worth it to pay those higher prices?
The answer to that question depends on your personal and political views on the environment, your attitudes regarding the need to support local agriculture, and your beliefs about what effects pesticides have on human health.
But one thing's for sure: Reducing your exposure to pesticides has to be a good thing.
And thankfully, the Environmental Working Group has compiled a list of the fruits and vegetables with the highest levels of pesticide residues, even after washing. The list is based on results of 43,000 tests on produce by the U.S. Department of Agriculture between 2000 and 2004. Here it is, in order from worst (those with the highest pesticide residues, from worst to best):
1. Peaches
2. Apples
3. Sweet Bell Peppers
4. Celery
5. Nectarines
6. Strawberries
7. Cherries
8. Pears
9. Grapes
10. Spinach
Here are the ten best (those with the least pesticide residues, from least to most):
1. Onions
2. Avocados
3. Sweet Corn -- Frozen
4. Pineapples
5. Mango
6. Asparagus
7. Sweet Peas -- Frozen
8. Kiwi
9. Bananas
10. Cabbage
