Fruit & Veggie Pesticide Risks: List of Best & Worst from EWG

The Environmental Working Group, a dedicated environmental watchdog organization, has published their Worst and Best Pesticide Fruits and Vegetables List.  Unfortunately, if you eat the recommended five fruits and vegetables a day from the 'worst' group, but do not buy organic produce, you will ingest up to 15 pesticide residues that day.

Worst: Celery, Peaches, Strawberries, Apples, Blueberries, Nectarines, Bell Peppers,  Spinach, Kale, Cherries, Potatoes, Imported Grapes 

Even the 'best' category will expose you with the same five servings to two pesticides residues a day, but by comparison it is an improvement.

Best: Onions, Avocado, Sweet Corn, Pineapple, Mangos, Sweet Peas, Asparagus, Kiwi, Cabbage, Eggplant, Cantaloupe, Watermelon, Grapefruit, Sweet Potato, Honeydew Melon

The usual methods of washing and peeling rarely solve the problem, as pesticides become absorbed through the skin and into the fruit or vegetable. Plus, peeling the skins often removes valuable fiber and nutrients from the product.

Protect your children, folks, and yourself.