Posted on 5:52 AM on 2/17/2009
We've all probably heard that some foods are generally higher in pesticides than others. And while it would be nice to always be able to purchase organically grown produce, the fragile economy often stands in our way of buying the foods that we would buy in better economic times.
So, if you can't afford to always buy organic, bear in mind that there are five foods that are much more likely to be heavily sprayed with potentially dangerous pesticides by farmers striving to have the highest yields possible, according to data from the Environmental Working Group.
1. Peaches receive the highest level of pesticides, and their thin skin allows for greater absorption of the chemicals that are used to spur their growth and protect them from pests. If you can only purchase one organic fruit, peaches would be the one.
2. Apples are treated with a large variety of pesticides that easily enter into the skin of the apple. You can of course peel your apples, but then you lose a large portion of their nutritional value. Since apples are often grown in the Midwest where they are not native, they are less resistant to pests and must therefore be sprayed quite heavily throughout their growth cycle.
3. Sweet Bell Peppers are extremely high in pesticide content, and many of these chemicals are known carcinogens.
4. Celery has no skin, so pesticides are absorbed directly into the plant and cannot be removed by washing or scrubbing.
5. Strawberries in the United States are sprayed with more than 300 approved pesticides. Since they grow close to the ground, they can also be contaminated with fertilizers and other chemicals used to treat soil.
Of all fruits and vegetables, onions are said to have the lowest "pesticide load", probably due to their many layers of protective, papery skin.
Buying organic is often cost prohibitive for many families, but we should make informed choices based on the potential hazards being caused to us and our children by the food that we buy. Remember that chemical and pesticide companies are not strongly regulated, and a great deal of the food that you put on your table each night may contain cancer-causing chemicals that you can avoid by buying organic and local whenever possible. Utilize local farmers' markets and other venues to seek out the freshest foods grown in your area. And as demand for organic produce grows, the cost will continue to drop.
For more information on the pesticide levels of various fruits and vegetables grown or sold in the United States, please visit http://www.foodnews.org/.
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