
CAUTION: Your Produce Is Covered in Poison
- 2016 brings a new top toxic winner
- The USDA washes its fruit — but not well enough…
- The FDA’s laid-back approach could kill you.
Dear Reader,
It’s that time of year again. And I’m not referring to the weather.
No, this time I am talking about the annual release of Environmental Working Group’s (EWG) list of the top 12 conventionally raised fruits and vegetables covered in high levels of pesticides — referred to as the Dirty Dozen.
The report is backed by an analysis of samples taken by both the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) on over more than 35,200 pieces of fruits and vegetables.
What’s most alarming about their results — most of these samples were washed and/or peeled by USDA employees in order to copy shopper practices as closely as possible. This means unwashed produce likely contains higher levels of pesticide.
Per their website, the EWG uses the following six measures of pesticide exposure to compare foods:
- Percent of samples tested with detectable pesticides
- Percent of samples with two or more detectable pesticides
- Average number of pesticides found on a single sample
- Average amount of pesticides found, measured in parts per million
- Maximum number of pesticides found on a single sample
- Total number of pesticides found on the commodity.
The different produces are then ranked based on their test results, which are then converted to a 1–100 scale, with higher scores representing more pesticide contamination.
Here is what they came up with, highest to lowest:
- Strawberries
- Apples
- Nectarines
- Peaches
- Celery
- Grapes
- Cherries
- Spinach
- Tomatoes
- Sweet bell peppers
- Cherry tomatoes
- Cucumbers
This year, apples lost their five-year streak of toxic terror at the top of the list to strawberries — 98 percent of the strawberry samples tested positive for pesticide residues.
Photo credit: EWG.org
One reason for this could be the result of the European ban on diphenylamine, which also may have affected American apple supplies, according to EWG senior analyst Sonya Lunder.
And the truly frightening part? Forty percent of strawberries had the residues of between 10–17 pesticides on them. One source of pesticide could be a nerve gas, methyl bromide, used to treat fields before planting even begins.
Lunder went on to explain:
It is startling to see how heavily strawberries are contaminated with residues of hazardous pesticides, but even more shocking is that these residues don’t violate the weak U.S. laws and regulations on pesticides in food. The EPA’s levels of residues allowed on produce are too lax to protect Americans’ health. They should be updated to reflect new research that shows even very small doses of toxic chemicals can be harmful, particularly for young children.2
If organic isn’t an option for you when it comes to the Dirty Dozen, you might consider a substitute or, at the very least, do a triple wash and thorough scrub.
Live well,
Natalie Moore
Managing editor, Living Well Daily
Sources

Written By Natalie Moore
Natalie Moore is a dedicated health researcher with a passion for finding healthy, natural, and science-based solutions. After a decade of direct healthcare experience in western and natural medicine, she was involved in public health research before joining Living Well Daily.
View More Free Articles
"Yellow Devil" Fruit CRUSHES Blood Pressure Better Than Meds
I have a confession to make. I hate bananas. Even the smell of them causes my stomach to flip. The funny thing is that I have an uncle and a daughter who are the same—so I wonder if it’s genetic. But even though I consider them the yellow devil of the fruit world, I recommend...
50-Cent Nutrient Puts the Brakes on Aging
Scientists discovered a remarkable “anti-aging” solution hiding in plain sight. It isn’t some exotic compound from a remote rainforest or an expensive laboratory creation. It’s a nutrient you can find at any pharmacy for less than the cost of a cup of coffee. The trouble is, most seniors aren’t getting enough of it, which researchers...
The Hidden Brain Risk Lurking in Your Living Room
If you’re reading this while settled into your favorite chair, you might want to consider standing up… New research uncovered something that might surprise you. Sitting too much can literally shrink your brain. But it gets worse… We all know being sedentary isn’t good for our health. However, researchers at Vanderbilt University uncovered something alarming....
“Biohack” Your Life Like a Billionaire?! Here’s How
You’ve probably seen the headlines about the billionaire who spent millions on “biohacking” to try to make himself younger. He measures hundreds of biomarkers and pops dozens of pills daily. And he’s undergoing experimental treatments that cost more than most folks’ houses. It may have left you wondering if regular people like you and I...
Do THIS Daily to Improve Strength, Flexibility, and Endurance
For any couch potatoes out there… I have some exciting news. If you’ve been avoiding exercise because you hate the gym or don’t have the time, that might be about to change. A groundbreaking study reveals how a few simple moves, done daily in your own home, could dramatically improve your fitness—even if you’ve skipped...
Mailbag: A Post-Prostate Cancer Blueprint for a Better Recovery
“My son just got his prostate removed because of cancer. He is doing well and recovering. My question is there any information you can forward with regards to his lifestyle? Are there things he should not eat, things he should be eating, is social drinking a risk, any vitamins that should be on his list?...
The Stroke-Boosting Threat Lurking in YOUR Arteries
We want to take a moment on this Memorial Day to honor the brave men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to our nation. Their courage, dedication, and selfless commitment to protecting our freedoms will never be forgotten, and their legacy lives on in the country they helped preserve. I’ve warned you...
20-Minute AM Hack Will Revolutionize How You Wake Up
If you feel like you’re in a fog for the first hour after your alarm goes off, you’re not alone. Mornings can be rough. That groggy, disoriented feeling isn’t just annoying—it’s a real physiological phenomenon called “sleep inertia.” And it can drag on for up to two hours after waking, even if you’ve had a...
Weekly Habit QUINTUPLES Your Cancer Risk
Everyone knows that sugar-sweetened sodas aren’t going to win any nutrition awards. That’s not news. But now, a disturbing new study suggests these soft drinks hide a deadly secret. A regular soda habit could do far more damage than just expand your waistline or raise your diabetes risk. The new research reveals these sugary treats...
Unlikely Duo Naturally SLASHES High Blood Pressure
Some things just naturally belong together—such as peanut butter and jelly, salsa and chips, or two peas in a pod. But there’s an unlikely pair that researchers say could do wonders for your heart health. A comprehensive new study from the University of Surrey has revealed that compounds found naturally in tea and chocolate can...