These are the 12 foods with the highest levels of contamination from pesticides and other toxic chemicals. Washing and peeling will help reduce the levels of pesticides but will not eliminate them completely. Pesticide residues can be found on the surface or as deep as the core.

Exposure to small doses of these chemicals can adversely affect people, especially expectant mothers, infants and children. Numerous studies have linked these contaminants to cancer, birth defects, nervous system disorders and other serious illnesses.

Avoid eating from this list unless organic.

Peaches top the list of most contaminated fruits. They are sprayed with highly toxic pesticides such as endosulfan. According to Pesticide Action Network (PAN)  “Endosulfan is acutely toxic, is known to disrupt the hormone system, can damage the human reproductive system and has been linked to breast cancer among other human health effects”.¹

Fruit and Vegetables

1. Peaches
2. Apples
3. Sweet Bell Peppers
     
4. Celery
5. Nectarines
6. Strawberries
7. Cherries
8. Lettuce
9. Imported Grapes (Chile)
10. Pears
11. Spinach
12. Potatoes

Click here to view the complete data set².

The produce ranking was developed by analysts at the not-for-profit Environmental Working Group (EWG) based on the results of nearly 43,000 tests for pesticides on produce collected by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration between 2000 and 2005.

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