The Most Highly Sprayed Produce

We have mentioned before the importance of organic food.  But did you know that some foods are worse than others?  According to the Environmental Working Group, the twelve vegetables most heavily sprayed with pesticide are:

  • Peaches
  • Apples
  • Sweet Bell Peppers
  • Celery
  • Nectarines
  • Strawberries
  • Cherries
  • Pears
  • Grapes (Imported)
  • Spinach
  • Lettuce
  • Potatoes

Many of the fruit listed above may still have pesticide residue even after being washed and peeled.  Instead, if you intend on buying conventional produce, consider the list of the twelve least contaminated:

  • Onions
  • Avocado
  • Sweet Corn (Frozen)
  • Pineapples
  • Mango
  • Asparagus
  • Sweet Peas (Frozen)
  • Kiwi Fruit
  • Bananas
  • Cabbage
  • Broccoli
  • Papaya

Also, did you know that you could easily tell whether your produce is conventionally grown or organic just by looking at the PLU?  The PLU is the four or five digit number that the big grocery stores use to ring up different produce.  If it is a four digit number that starts with three or four, it’s conventional.  If it is a five digit number that starts with nine, it’s organic.  A five digit number starting with an eight means it’s genetically modified, but I’ve never seen GM produce for sale in a grocery store.  If you see that, let us know.  We’d be curious to know what stores, if any sell GM produce.

For more information, check out this article.

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