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The Environmental Working Group is a not-for-profit environmental research organization dedicated to improving public health and protecting the environment by reducing pollution in air, water and food.
On their website, they listed the top 43 fruits and vegetables based on their pesticide loads.
This list is very close to my article Top 20 foods you should buy Organic.
Print this out and keep it handy on your next shopping trip.
RANK, FRUIT OR VEGETABLE, SCORE
1. Peaches, 100 (WORST… highest pesticide load)
2. Apples, 89
3. Sweet Bell Peppers, 86
4. Celery, 85
5. Nectarines, 84
6. Strawberries, 82
7. Cherries, 75
8. Pears, 65
9. Grapes (Imported), 65
10. Spinach, 60
11. Lettuce, 59
12. Potatoes, 58
13. Carrots, 57
14. Green Beans, 53
15. Hot Peppers, 53
16. Cucumbers, 52
17. Raspberries, 47
18. Plums, 45
19. Grapes (Domestic), 43
20. Oranges, 42
21. Grapefruit, 40
22. Tangerine, 38
23. Mushrooms, 37
24. Cantaloupe, 34
25. Honeydew Melon, 31
26. Tomatoes, 30
27. Sweet Potatoes, 30
28. Watermelon, 28
29. Winter Squash, 27
30. Cauliflower, 27
31. Blueberries, 24
32. Papaya, 21
33. Broccoli, 18
34. Cabbage, 17
35. Bananas, 16
36. Kiwi, 14
37. Sweet peas (frozen), 11
38. Asparagus, 11
39. Mango, 9
40. Pineapples, 7
41. Sweet Corn (frozen), 2
42. Avocado, 1
43. Onions, 1 (BEST… lowest pesticide load)
Jimson Lee
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