The Safest Fruit and Vegetables
Organic fruit and vegetables have many benefits over conventional varieties but it is not always possible to buy organic. Availability can be a problem and high prices can be a deterrent. If you do decide to purchase conventional produce then you may wish to avoid certain items which are more likely to contain harmful pesticide residues. The worst offenders are generally those with thin skins or those which get sprayed a number of times during the growing period. The Environmental Working Group has identified 12 fruits and vegetables which are particularly susceptible to pesticide contamination. If you can, try to avoid the following conventionally grown fruit and vegetables:
- apples
- capsicum
- celery
- cherries
- grapes
- nectarines
- peaches
- pears
- potatoes
- raspberries
- spinach
- strawberries
These are especially dangerous for pregnant women and young children. Pesticides can be passed on to an unborn child via the placenta and children under 2 years of age are less able to eliminate pesticides from their bodies.
A safer option is to buy fruit and vegetables which have thick skins which you can peel off before eating such as bananas, corn, mangos, onions, oranges, and pineapples.
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I have also heard that conventionally grown carrots are a problem as they are planted in the field during the detoxifying process to absorb the chemicals.They can still be sold once harvested but can often have a kerosene like taste to them.
Carrots with a kerosene taste? That can’t be good.
I definitely try to stick to organic for all fruits and vegetables as you just never know what chemicals have been used on them or in the soil.