Vegetables and Fruits Most Pesticide Residues

Now maybe you're going to be careful when shopping strawberries or spinach. The new report from the Environmental Working Group (EWG) mention the vegetables and fruits that are among the most contaminated with synthetic pesticide residues.

The findings are part of a list of the "Dirty Dozen" and "Clean Fifteen" in 2017, the list of foods most and least exposed to pesticides.

To get the rankings, EWG analysis tests conducted by the US Department of Agriculture to more than 36 thousand samples of 48 types of conventionally grown products.

"Even exposure to low levels of pesticides can be dangerous for toddlers, infants and young children. As much as possible, parents must take steps to reduce their exposure while still feeding children a healthy diet rich in vegetables and fruits," said Dr. Philip Landrigan of the Mount Sinai School of Medicine in a statement.

In two consecutive years, EWG found that strawberries including the most contaminated fruit. Last year the strawberries beat apple that bears the most contaminated for five years at the top.

Increased pesticide residues on strawberries because of the large demand for the fruit out of season. This year the most contaminated strawberries has traces of 20 different pesticides.

Also rising to the list this year is the spinach and nectarine fruit. Spinach rose from eighth place into second.

US Department of Agriculture found the more contaminated spinach sample residue weighing more than any other product tested. About 75 percent of the samples contained residues of permethrin, an insecticide used to kill insects and mosquitoes. In high doses of pesticides that can damage the nervous system.

Then the product is grown conventionally safe to buy? Sweet corn, according to the EWG. Only one percent of the sample both sweet corn and avocado (the last year is in the top position) pesticides tracked.

Although we are safe from pesticide residues because rind that protects, EWG warns that little sweet corn and papaya are also produced from genetically modified seeds.

Critics

EWG list that started in 1993 gained a reputation of many doctors and health organizations, including the association of pediatricians in the US, the American Academy of Pediatrics. But the list was criticized for focusing on the amount of pesticides, not toxicity.

According to Sonya Lunder, a senior analyst at EWG, the group had to review the crops like chili this year as the "Dirty Dozen Plus". Poduk selection of these products do not meet traditional standards but were found to contain residues of highly toxic pesticides.

In addition, some critics point out that the levels of pesticide residues found in food on that list despite higher than other vegetables and fruits in general are still below the tolerance level of the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency).

But EWG remains firm on their list and warn consumers to pay attention to traces of synthetic pesticides. Lunder told media earlier that the EPA has a "tolerance revoked" or changing the legal limit or prohibit certain insecticides that were previously thought to be safe after an improved risk measurement.

For example, last year's tolerance to chlorpyrifos, pesticide ever detected there in vegetables and fruits revoked after no longer meets EPA safety standards.