The Toxic 12: Which fruits to eat, which to avoid

Every week when traveling to the market I have to choose between organic (expensive) or non-organic (less expensive, more harmful) fruits and veggies. I always seem to be 50/50. I usually pick depending on price but that was before I started doing some research on the amount of pesticides used in farming and how much of it we consume.

The pesticides that the EPA regulates are used on fresh fruits, vegetables and even canned and frozen foods. How harmful are these chemicals? Well it depends on who you talk to. The EPA clearly states that pesticides are used to kill pests but the effect they have on humans depends on how much and how strong an amount we’re exposed to.

The Environmental Working Group started in 1993 by Ken Cook and Richard Wiles have made it their priority to provide us with the environmental and health information we deserve. Specifically to find out what a pesticide count is and how produce is numbered. They are usually given a number between 1-100, 100 being the highest in pesticide residue still remaining on the produce.

Top 12 BAD (highest pesticide count)

*Buying these guys organically will decrease the amount of toxins you consume.

1. Peaches 100
2. Apples 96
3. Sweet Bell Peppers 86
4. Celery 85
5. Nectarines 84
6. Strawberries 83
7. Cherries 75
8. Lettuce 69
9. Grapes 68
10. Pears 65
11. Spinach 60
12. Potatoes 58

Top 12 Good (lowest pesticide count)

1. Onions 1
2. Avocado 1
3. Sweet Corn 2
4. Cauliflower 7
5. Pineapples 9
6. Mango 11
7. Sweet Peas 11
8. Asparagus 11
9. Kiwi 14
10. Bananas 16
11. Cabbage 17
12. Broccoli 18