Pesticide residue on fruits and vegetables

Many of your favorite fruits and vegetables have pesticides on them, even after they're washed or peeled.

The Environmental Working Group, a non-profit organization, coined the term “The Dirty Dozen” to describe the following fruits and vegetable. They had the highest levels of pesticide residue in tests conducted by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

“The Dirty Dozen”:
  Peaches
  Apples
  Sweet Bell Peppers
  Celery
  Nectarines
  Strawberries
  Cherries
  Kale
  Lettuce
  Imported Grapes
  Carrots
  Pears

The USDA’s Pesticide Data Program conducted a study in 2007 that was released in December 2008. Both domestic and imported produce were tested for pesticide residue. Page 168 of the report summarized which fruits and vegetables exceeded the guidelines set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

Of course, not all produce came back from the lab with daunting results. The Environmental Working Group also constructed a list of “The Clean Fifteen ". They contained the least, if any, detectable pesticide.

“The Clean Fifteen”:
  Onions
  Avocados
  Sweet Corn
  Pineapples
  Mangoes
  Asparagus
  Sweet Peas
  Kiwi
  Cabbage
  Eggplant
  Papayas
  Watermelon
  Broccoli
  Tomatoes
  Sweet Potatoes

About.com recommends buying certain organic fruit and vegetables to reduce pesticide exposure.