Top 12 Organic Foods

By: Joanne Jones
Submitted: 2008-07-01 12:29:24
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The main reason that people choose to eat organic foods is that they are grown without the use of pesticides or synthetic fertilizers.  Due to the way organic food is grown, it is also more expensive than other commercially grown food.  The higher cost often deters people from buying organic food.  However, there is a flip side.  Not all food is treated with the same amount of pesticides and synthetic fertilizers – some foods need more than others.  So, if you want to buy organic, then start with these 12 foods – the ones that are grown using the highest levels of pesticides and synthetic fertilizers.

  1. Peaches: In a recent study by the EWG, 96.6% of peaches tested had pesticide residues and 86.6% were found to have two or more different kinds of pesticides on the fruit*.
  2. Apples: 93.6% were found to have pesticide residue and 82.3% had two or more kinds of pesticides.
  3. Red and green bell peppers:  In the United States, over 50 different chemicals are approved for use when growing bell peppers.  In the study by EWG, 81.5% were found to have pesticide residue and 62.2% had two or more kinds of pesticides.
  4. Celery: 94.1% were found to have pesticide residue and 79.8% had two or more kinds of pesticides.
  5. Nectarines: 97.3% were found to have pesticide residue and 85.3% had two or more kinds of pesticides.
  6. Strawberries: According to the US Department of Agriculture, strawberries routinely test for pesticide residues over the accepted tolerance levels.  In the study by EWG, 92.3% of strawberries were found to have pesticide residue and 69.2% had two or more kinds of pesticides.
  7. Cherries: 91.4% were found to have pesticide residue and 75.8% had two or more kinds of pesticides.
  8. Lettuce: 68.2% were found to have pesticide residue and 44.2% had two or more kinds of pesticides.
  9. Grapes (imported): Domestic grapes (from the United States) have significantly lower levels of pesticide residue.  Grapes imported from Chile are required to be fumigated with methyl bromide upon entering the US in order to kill any insects that may have hitch hiked a ride on the fruit.  In the study by EWG, 84.2% of imported grapes were found to have pesticide residue and 53.2% had two or more kinds of pesticides.
  10. Pears: 86.2% were found to have pesticide residue and 45.7% had two or more kinds of pesticides.
  11. Spinach: 70% were found to have pesticide residue and 31.2% had two or more kinds of pesticides.
  12. Potatoes: Surprisingly, potatoes were also on the list.  In the study by EWG, 81% of potatoes were found to have pesticide residue and 18% had two or more kinds of pesticides.

For many crops, pesticides are also used in order to kill weeds and pests before planting the crop.  Pesticides are then applied at regular intervals during the growing stage to kill insects.  As well, synthetic fertilizers must be used since the nutrients in the soil have been depleted due to the use of pesticides and from growing the same crops every year.

By the way, there were several fruits and vegetables with low levels of pesticide residue.  They are (starting with those with the lowest residue levels) onions, avocado, sweet corn (frozen), pineapples, mango, sweet peas (frozen), asparagus, kiwi, bananas, cabbage, broccoli and eggplant.  So, if you don't want to or you can't afford to buy only organic food, you can buy these fruits and vegetables and not worry about their pesticide levels.

*Test results are from the Environmental Working Group (EWG), a non-for-profit environmental research company based in the United States.

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