Not all of us can afford to buy 100% organic every time we shop. So, what’s the best solution? Focus on those foods that come with the highest known levels of pesticides, additives and hormones. According to the Environmental Working Group (EWG), consumers can reduce their pesticide exposure by as much as 80% by avoiding the most contaminated fruits and vegetables and eating only the safest and cleanest. Yes, that means washing your produce well can cut down on exposure to some sprays but not completely. If consumers get their USDA-recommended 5 daily servings of fruits and veggies from the 15 most contaminated, they could consume an average of 10 pesticides a day. Those who eat the 15 least contaminated conventionally grown produce ingest less than 2 pesticides daily.
These popular fruits and vegetables are known to consistently have the highest levels of pesticides. Always buy these organic when available:
- Apples
- Pears
- Celery
- Cherries
- Grapes (imported)
- Nectarines
- Peaches
- Winter Squash
- Bell Peppers
- Potatoes
- Red Raspberries
- Strawberries
- Spinach
These popular fresh fruits and vegetables have the lowest levels of pesticides:
- Asparagus
- Avocados
- Milk
- Oranges and Orange Juice
- Bananas
- Broccoli
- Cauliflower
- Corn (sweet)
- Kiwi
- Mangos
- Onions
- Papaya
- Sweet Peas
- Pineapple
The following foods tend to be in the middle range of pesticide contamination. If your budget permits, buy organic:
- Carrots
- Green beans
- Hot peppers
- Apricots
- Cucumbers
- Tomatoes
- Collard greens
- Grapes
- Turnip greens
- Honeydew melon
- Lettuce
- Kale
- Mushrooms
- Cantaloupe
- Sweet potatoes
- Grapefruit
- Blueberries
- Watermelon
- Plums
- Tangerines
- Cabbage
