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Some of the staples of our diets are the ones with the highest pesticide contamination levels in the world and we need to be talking about this more. If no one knows it’s a problem they won’t complain to the suppliers and nothing will ever change. We will continue to get sick and have no idea why. I am writing this to spread the word that we should all be switching to organic produce to keep our families healthy and strong.
I mean, healthy food should be good for us right? Is that too much to ask?
By choosing organic foods you will cut out a drastic amount of not just pesticides and related chemicals, but also hormones that are found in meat. The main reason most people haven’t already totally turned to organic fruits, vegetables and meats is because they are often more expensive.
I am not sure what it’s like where you live but in my city, buying organic at the big chain stores costs a lot but when I actually go out to the farms and buy the fruits and meats there it’s a lot more affordable. This way you also get to see just where the food comes from. If you have anything like that around your town or city, check it out.
In the meantime you can at least avoid the 12 dirtiest fruits and vegetables. By doing this alone you can easily lower your pesticide exposure by almost 90%. Shocking! And good to know.
Here are the 12 most contaminated fruits and vegetables:
* Peaches- 96.7% of samples tested positive for pesticides, 87% for multiple pesticides
* Apples- 94.1% tested positive, 82.3% for multiple pesticides
* Sweet Bell Peppers- 81.5% tested positive, 62.2% for multiple pesticides
* Celery- 94.1% tested positive, 79.8% for multiple pesticides
* Nectarines- 97.3% tested positive, 85.3% for multiple pesticides
* Strawberries
* Cherries
* Kale- 53.1% for multiple pesticides
* Lettuce
* Imported Grapes
* Carrots- 82.3% tested positive
* Pears
That was disheartening, but there is some good news too. While those are contaminated (and are pretty much all my favorite foods!) there are some that are clean.
Clean uncontaminated foods:
* Onions- no detectable residues on 90% or more of samples, zero samples positive for multiple pesticides
* Avocado- less than 10% tested positive, less than 1% for multiple pesticides
* Frozen Sweet Corn- no detectable residues on 90% or more of samples, zero samples positive for multiple pesticides
* Pineapples- less than 10% tested positive, less than 1% for multiple pesticides
* Mango- less than 10% tested positive, less than 1% for multiple pesticides
* Asparagus- no detectable residues on 90% or more of samples
* Frozen Sweet Peas- 77.1% had no detectable pesticides
* Kiwi
* Cabbage- 82.1% had no detectable pesticides
* Eggplant- 75.4% had no detectable pesticides
* Papaya
* Watermelon- 28.1% tested positive, 9.5% for multiple pesticides
* Broccoli- 65.2% had no detectable pesticides
* Tomatoes- 53.1% had no detectable pesticides, 13.5% positive for multiple pesticides
* Sweet Potatoes
How sad is that?! I like some on the clean list but the dirty list has all my favorite fruits :O Oh well, what can we do? Write letters to try and get the laws changed, that’s what, and buy local organic produce whenever possible.
Technorati Tags: highest pesticide contamination levels, contaminated fruits and vegetables, local organic produce
43 responses so far ↓
1 Health sector // Jun 19, 2009 at 3:06 am
The article is very educative to each and everybody. Now a days every produce is full of pesticides. We should change our life to organis produce. It is an very informative article.
2 Sourav // Jun 19, 2009 at 7:54 am
shocking.
I read it somewhere that dip your fruits and vegetables for 15 minutes in plain simple water before cooking them or using them as it reduces the effect of pesticides on human body.
thanks
3 dhimas // Jun 20, 2009 at 9:14 am
its very useful article so easy to understand, you are great writer
4 encino from monkeys for sale // Jun 20, 2009 at 4:22 pm
That is truly horrifying, I have been eating the heck out of regular nectarines lately but at least I have been eating organic apples. The problem is that it is impossible to prove that all these chemicals are harming the body because it happens in subtle ways many years later, like how the smoking companies pretended that smoke had no ill effects for years.
5 Alfred // Jun 21, 2009 at 5:40 pm
Its really bad here in india with all the chemicals they use. most restuarants dont even wash the veggies before making dishes.
6 Flash Design India // Jun 22, 2009 at 5:35 am
I first came across such a news when i was studying nutrition in my school.This is alarming indeed.Thanks for sharing the data as well increasing awareness on the 12 most contaminated fruits and vegetables.
7 Jay from Love Poems & Love Quotes // Jun 22, 2009 at 6:18 pm
I use to buy my fruits and veggies straight from the store. I have learned getting them freshly picked is better. I love this article on this, many people don’t have this important knowledge!
8 Kettcar // Jun 23, 2009 at 6:43 am
Hello buddy nice post. I have bookmarked your site.
9 Adam Railing // Jun 23, 2009 at 9:40 am
The problem is that it is impossible to prove that all these chemicals are harming the body because it happens in subtle ways many years later.
10 Used Cars // Jun 23, 2009 at 2:20 pm
One of the biggest problems is many of us cannot afford the organic route – it can be hard enough to just buy fresh fruits and vegtables on a regular basis.
11 Mike from Build Coops // Jun 23, 2009 at 2:31 pm
Peach is #1 on the dirty list? That is my favorite fruit!
12 Searching101 // Jun 23, 2009 at 5:06 pm
I knew things were bad but this shows just how understimating I was…
13 Katy // Jun 23, 2009 at 11:31 pm
Pretty cool post. I just stumbled upon your blog and wanted to say
that I have really liked browsing your posts. Anyway
I’ll be subscribing to your blog and I hope you post again soon!
14 curtis // Jun 24, 2009 at 7:51 pm
great post!
15 Color Printing // Jun 24, 2009 at 11:00 pm
Good thing I’m not a fan of peaches, but I love strawberries though! Sucks to see it be on the most contaminated list. But at least avocado, another favorite, isn’t! Thanks for this very informative post.
16 How I Make $5000 a Month Posting Links on Google // Jun 25, 2009 at 8:42 pm
Loved your latest post, by the way.
17 John // Jun 27, 2009 at 12:47 pm
Wow ..I am shocked to find the distribution is that high. What are the concentrations in terms of pesticides? While probably not good for you I don’t see myself not eating the foods above b/c of it.
18 Cattelani & Smith // Jun 28, 2009 at 9:11 am
Interesting Post…and some shocking results :O
19 Ebook // Jun 28, 2009 at 9:50 pm
Thanks for this great articles. This contaminated list is very helpful.
20 Tukang Nggame // Jun 29, 2009 at 6:33 am
yes, more Fruits and Veggies for your health
21 Jeremy Craven // Jun 29, 2009 at 8:57 am
The article is very educative to each and everybody.Thanks for sharing the data
22 Brad T // Jun 29, 2009 at 6:42 pm
And don’t forget the milk with growth hormone getting into children and Teflon contamination in the human blood.
23 How I Make $300 a Day Posting Links Online // Jun 30, 2009 at 3:57 pm
Cool post, just subscribed.
24 Sam Rodgers // Jun 30, 2009 at 10:02 pm
I love this article on this, many people don’t have this important knowledge!
25 Doroteja // Jul 1, 2009 at 8:43 am
This is worse than I thought. At least we buy things like carrots and apples organic. But now I know the worst ones. It’s surprising that some have no detectable pesticides, but those vs. organic veggies/fruits=organics win in terms of taste and vitamins. Thanks for this great article.
P.S. If more people bought organic food the prices would drop. In fact, at my local supermarket chain (Publix) some organics have become cheaper than the normal equivalent.
26 Jeniffer Hunter // Jul 2, 2009 at 11:32 am
Im kind of scared with this post, i need to improve my care of the fruits and vegetables, to keep a good health on family. I tweeted this blog, thanks!!
27 Junagadh // Jul 4, 2009 at 4:24 am
Hi,
One of mine best fitness adviser friend suggested me this article yesterday from facebook.
And I agree with her as this is really very helpful informative article
28 Manny Aberman // Jul 4, 2009 at 7:19 am
I just stumbled upon your blog and wanted to say
that I have really liked browsing your posts.
29 Steve Cross // Jul 5, 2009 at 7:46 am
Thanks for this great articles. This contaminated list is very helpful.
30 massage surfers paradise // Jul 6, 2009 at 8:54 am
These articles are very useful to us.We should take care of not using contaminated vegetables and fruits.
31 Diaper Bags // Jul 6, 2009 at 8:11 pm
This post kind of overwhelms me! Part of me agrees with the fact that ignorance is bliss. I guess when I think about the repercussions of consuming contaminants, I realize it’s not worth it though!
32 Ashley from Diaper Bags // Jul 6, 2009 at 8:15 pm
I don’t know if I want to read this, I must say that ignorance is bliss sometimes!
33 Fat loss 4 idiots // Jul 7, 2009 at 1:15 am
as well as a calorie controlled healthy diet.
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34 portal media // Jul 7, 2009 at 4:39 am
thank you for sharing great informastion to keep our body healthy.this is what we need.eat healthy things got healthy body..
35 Body Wash Soap // Jul 7, 2009 at 3:33 pm
I have always been a little paranoid about what kind of icky stuff my produce might still have on it when i eat it. I’ve never got sick or knew anyone who got sick from eating contaminated produce, but it still worries me. Does anyone know of the best way to wash your fruits & veggies? I usually put them in the fridge after buying them, and don’t wash them until right before I eat them.
36 Aye // Jul 10, 2009 at 12:17 am
I love eating tomatoes, and I literally wash them using dishwashing soap and scrube it clean before eating them! =) I really hope organic produce becomes more affordable. Organic is really the way to go.
37 Health Tips // Jul 14, 2009 at 1:52 am
Hi,
Such one agreeable article here.Lots of “Healthy Eating tips” in this article for all healthy visitors.
– Wish you all one healthy life also…
38 Buy Annuity // Jul 28, 2009 at 8:02 am
Everybody know that Vegitables are very importent of our life.and its improving of our health and mind.
39 Foraje // Jul 29, 2009 at 4:02 pm
Nowaday , vegetables purchased at the supermarket have no taste. Better quality we can find to small local growers.
40 jermaine from work at home // Aug 3, 2009 at 11:09 pm
the best we can do now is grow our own veggies like they did back in the day instead of depending on the supermarket. It’s probably better that way anyways since we know they are freshly picked.
41 Foraj apa // Aug 5, 2009 at 1:18 am
My parents live in a small village and send me weekly 100 % organic fruits and veggies. Lucky me …
42 Claire from Papaya // Sep 9, 2009 at 6:31 am
Wow, I’d never imagine peach was n°1!
43 Fat Loss 4 Idiots // Nov 20, 2009 at 10:01 am
I’ve really enjoyed reading your articles. You obviously know what you are talking about! Your site is so easy to navigate too, I’ve bookmarked it in my favourites
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