Which fruits and vegetables are most likely to contain pesticides?
updated the 6 October 2015 à 23:51
Environmental Working Group, an American organization that fights for a Greener planet, published its annual list of fruits and vegetables that contain the most pesticides. Find out what they are.
Ah, pesticides… Despite reassurances that the harmful compounds are perfectly identified and carefully controlled, we cannot refrain from doubting. Controversies on the possible toxicity of some weed-killers or fungicides are faster spread than some current political scandals. And how can we be sure that today’s compulsory dose limits will be the same as those applied in ten or twenty years? Numerous products considered harmless in the ’70s were later banned in some societies or are very prudently used. How do we avoid bad surprises without becoming paranoid or sinking into orthorexia?
If it is impossible to eradicate all pesticides from our food (who says that your neighbour doesn’t spray toxic products within a few meters of your valuable homemade vegetable garden?), we can always limit their consumption. In particular, we can choose local products – less treated after harvests because they do not need to travel long distances – and/or organic products. Here are the ten fruits and vegetables most contaminated in the U.S.
Source: Environmental Working Group’s Shopper’s Guide to Pesticides in Produce, April 2014.
Maureen Diament
