Dirty Dozen – Pesticides in fruits and vegetables

It’s been reported this evening that the total number of illnesses due to salmonella from tainted tomatoes in Massachusetts is up to 17 since late May.  As I walked by the tomatoes at the grocery store this evening, I wondered what other fruits and vegetables were considered to be “at risk”.

I remember reading about the “Dirty Dozen”; the 12 fruits and vegetables that contain the most and varied amount of pesticides. From 2000-2005, the USDA and FDA analyzed nearly 51,000 food samples for detectable pesticides. These foods were tested just as if you and I were about to consume them. For example, apples were washed and bananas were peeled. The Environmental Working Group, a non-profit research organization gathered the information and began an awareness campaign. Here are their Dirty Dozen:

RANK	FRUIT OR VEGGIE	SCORE
1 (worst)	Peaches	100 (highest pesticide load)
2	Apples	96
3	Sweet Bell Peppers	86
4	Celery	85
5	Nectarines	84
6	Strawberries	83
7	Cherries	75
8	Lettuce	69
9	Grapes – Imported	68
10	Pears	65
11	Spinach	60
12	Potatoes	58

While pesticides are harmful by design, they ARE meant to kill weeds and bugs after all, there is little scientific data stating the long term effect of pesticide consumption. Those who should be most concerned about pesticides in their fruits and veges are those with infants and children. Certified organic fruits and vegetables is a good alternative for pesticide free foods. To see where your favorite fruit or vegetable places in the list of 43 tested, visit www.foodnews.org.

~~JT