Community Chat

[novamc1]

This story has recently appeared in news media around the country.  Here's some of what they say:

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Strawberries remain in the top spot on an annual list of fruits and vegetables found to have the highest traces of pesticides.

The 2021 "Dirty Dozen," released Wednesday by the Environmental Working Group, ranked pesticide residue levels of fruits and vegetables based on samples taken by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. 

There were two noticeable changes to this year's list, said Thomas Galligan, an EWG toxicologist.

Collard and mustard greens joined the list at No. 3, sharing a spot with kale. The pesticide most frequently found on these greens was DCPA, a compound classified by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency as a possible carcinogen, Galligan added.

The  second vegetables added to this year's "Dirty Dozen" are bell peppers and hot peppers, which ranked at No. 10, Galligan said. "In the most recent test, they found 115 pesticides on different peppers."

Nearly 70% of non-organic produce sold in the country contains pesticide residues, the new EWG report stated. And more than 90% of samples including strawberries, apples and leafy greens tested positive for residues of two or more pesticides.

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A CDC analysis found only 1 in 10 adults gets enough fruits and vegetables, with men, younger adults and people with lower incomes consuming the fewest.

"The most important thing is that everyone should be eating lots of fruits and vegetables," Galligan said. "We do recommend you try to reduce your pesticide exposure. Choose organic whenever possible."

That's why EWG also released the "Clean Fifteen," a list of produce that tested with lower trace amounts of pesticides.

"Try to choose organic options for those 12 (Dirty Dozen)," Galligan said. "But if you can't afford or don't have access to those organic foods, then you can turn to our Clean Fifteen list."   

Avocados and sweet corn took the top two spots on the clean list, where fewer than 2% of samples showed any detectable pesticides.

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However, there are some concerns this annual list may scare shoppers away from non-organic fruits and vegetables, which tend to cost less than their organic counterparts and may be more accessible to consumers living in areas without multiple grocery options.

"This list should have no impact on your shopping habits," said Tamika Sims, senior director of food technology at the International Food Information Council, a nonprofit supported by food, beverage and agricultural industries.

Organic and conventionally grown fruits and vegetables are not regulated more than the other, Sims said. The USDA and EPA, among others, "work conservatively to make sure all these fruits and vegetables are safe for consumption."

If the concern over the potential for pesticide residue remains, Sims said, there are other options.

"Think about buying the frozen version," she said. "(Frozen) fruits and vegetables are just as nutritious and good for you, and safe, as the fresh ones. Canned goods are a great option, too."

1. EWG's Dirty Dozen for 2021 
   1. Strawberries
   2. Spinach
   3. Kale, collard and mustard greens
   4. Nectarines
   5. Apples
   6. Grapes
   7. Cherries
   8. Peaches
   9. Pears
   10. Bell and hot peppers
   11. Tomatoes
   12. Celery
   EWG's Clean Fifteen for 2021
   1. Avocados
   2. Sweet corn
   3. Pineapples
   4. Onions
   5. Papayas
   6. Sweet peas (frozen)
   7. Eggplants
   8. Asparagus
   9. Broccoli
   10. Cabbages
   11. Kiwis
   12. Cauliflower
   13. Mushrooms
   14. Honeydew melons
   15. Cantaloupes

[Mindy D]

Thanks for posting. I'd like to know the ranking for organic produce too. It's not on the EWG website. 

[hckynut]

Glad I spend as little time concerned with everything that is going to make me sick, or kill me, as I do wondering when the world will end.

Seems like there is something dangerous in  everything nowadays, according to "the experts"(in their own minds/jobs/titles). Do this and/do that/eat this/eat that/hand sanitizer, and on it goes.

Call me an "expert" when it comes to knowing my body well enough, and trusting my judgment, along with experienced knowledge, to decide what I believe, by whom or what.

Seems like their are more "Cut/Copy/Paste" certain articles every day on these forum. Most, in my view, causing more harm than good. Does everyone need, or want to know, these paragraphs after paragraphs of most likely "paid for studies" of how dangerous it is to wake up?

I generally pass on most of them, but today it seems like each forum, I visit regularly, seems to have one. Thus this post.

hckynut 

[Porcelain]

Okay...This is why I wash my produce.

I assume that most farmers use pesticides when growing things. So I wash that off. Easy PEAsy.

[KKJ]

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@Porcelain wrote:

Okay...This is why I wash my produce.

I assume that most farmers use pesticides when growing things. So I wash that off. Easy PEAsy.

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I do too as have always been concerned about it. Do you wash with just water or do you use one of those pricy vegetable washes as I've done in the past?  Not all stores have it though. Wondering what would be a good substitute if you can't find it. Baking soda maybe?   I admit that I do pay more and buy organic fruit & veg. if I can find it.

[novamc1]

My feeble brain tells me that pesticides are just as likely to reside within a fruit or vegetable as they are on the outside, where they'd be easy to wash off.  They may well be present in the soil.

My poor brain also tells me that the sudden abundance of "organic" produce on the market these days could not have sprung up so suddenly out of  fields and soil treated for years with fertilizers, weed killers, etc., and legitimately be labeled organic---unless grown under controlled hothouse conditions..

I'm skeptical about the "organic" label--but can't be worried about being poisoned by eating any produce that I want when I want to.

Also, the information given in the article does not come from a paid profit-making source, apparently.  At least much of it comes from food analysis done by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and other noncommercial sources.

[Porcelain]

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@KKJ wrote:

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@Porcelain wrote:

Okay...This is why I wash my produce.

I assume that most farmers use pesticides when growing things. So I wash that off. Easy PEAsy.

---

I do too as have always been concerned about it. Do you wash with just water or do you use one of those pricy vegetable washes as I've done in the past?  Not all stores have it though. Wondering what would be a good substitute if you can't find it. Baking soda maybe?   I admit that I do pay more and buy organic fruit & veg. if I can find it.

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I just scrub under the tap water. Consumer Reports says soaking in baking soda solution is effective though.

"You should also wash your produce before you eat it, by rubbing it under running water (or scrubbing if it has a tough skin). Rogers suggests that you do so as soon as you bring it home. The longer pesticides sit on fruits and vegetables, the deeper they’re absorbed, and the harder it is to remove them, he says. (Note that this may not be practical for delicate produce, such as berries or mushrooms, because washing them too far ahead of eating them may speed spoilage.)

If you want to take an extra step, consider submerging your produce in a solution of one teaspoon of baking soda and two cups of water for two minutes or more (the longer you soak, the more chemicals you get rid of), says He. Rinse in tap water again before eating."

https://www.consumerreports.org/pesticides-herbicides/easy-way-to-remove-pesticides/

[SloopJohnB]

@novamc1 "Yes, we have no bananas....."   I thought they would be on the clean list anyway.... 🍌🍌🍌🍌

[ROMARY]

Several/many years ago, a produce related farmer/person told us that Brussel sprouts had to be sprayed two or three times.  I believe he said three, but can't be sure.

Mainly because the Brussel sprouts had to look 'perfect' or the consumer wouldn't buy them. 

Also, keep in mind that the spray ingredients might have changed since then.

Well that's what he said, anyway.  He always seemed to be very believeable. Very nice.

RIP.