
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
Just Diagnosed with Hypertension? —6 Things to Do Next
You’ve been diagnosed with high blood pressure—now what? First, take a breath. You’re not alone—over 30 percent of adults worldwide have hypertension. That makes it one of the most common health issues… and a top cause of preventable deaths. The good news is that, unlike some conditions that can leave you feeling helpless, high blood...
Brain Games Are USELESS—Do These 5 Things Instead
I’ve seen a lot of lists lately claiming to have the secrets that keep your brain from turning into mush as you age. They typically advise activities such as doing crosswords, learning Spanish, or taking up the accordion. Challenging your mind with new learning experiences is definitely a great way to keep your brain engaged...
This $5 Fix REVERSES Cellular Aging in Just 6 Months
You take your vitamins, eat your vegetables, and feel healthy—so your nutrition is covered… right? Well, new research suggests that even health-conscious older adults may be missing crucial nutrients that keep their cells functioning like those of younger people. The trouble is that as we age, our bodies become less efficient at absorbing nutrients from...
Mailbag: Doctors Get Bone Health WRONG—Here's What Really Works
“Thank you so much for answering this. With millions of women who are seniors over 70 facing a diagnosis of osteoporosis, this is my question. What can we do naturally to help improve our bone density, especially in the spine lumber 1 and 2? Also, how do we help improve bone density in the femur...
Critical Brain Nutrient Missing In 9 Out of 10 American Diets
You’ve probably heard plenty about brain-boosting omega-3s, antioxidants, and B vitamins. But there’s another nutrient that’s just as critical for your cognitive health. However, it’s been flying under the radar… until now. Mounting evidence suggests this overlooked compound could be key to protecting your brain and enhancing memory. It may even reduce your risk of...
"Miracle Berry" Supercharges Your Microbiome
Happy Father’s Day to all the dads and granddads who’ve shared their wisdom, strength, and love through the years. Thank you for teaching us that the best medicine is laughter, love, and a father’s caring heart. Want to upgrade your health but don’t want complicated diets or expensive supplements? Science just revealed a delicious way...
This "Healthy" Sweetener is Sabotaging Your Weight Loss
Everyone knows that a balanced diet and regular exercise are crucial for maintaining a healthy weight. But what if the “diet” products you’re using to cut calories make you hungrier, so you eat more? Well, a shocking new study suggests that a popular artificial sweetener is secretly sabotaging your weight loss efforts. Let’s dig into...
“Banned in Europe” Food Additive Triggers Hormone Chaos
If you’ve ever enjoyed the bright white frosting on a cookie or vibrantly colored candy, you’ve likely consumed titanium dioxide. This common food additive, used to make products look more appealing, is now at the center of a growing health debate. Titanium dioxide is essentially makeup for food—a white powder that enhances colors and makes...
Your Phone Is DESTROYING Your Brain—Here's How to Fight Back
Ever notice how—after a day of bouncing between your phone, computer, and TV—your brain feels like it’s been stuffed with cotton? You may struggle to remember what you need at the store, fumble for words, or stare blankly at your crossword puzzle. It’s not because you’re getting older—it’s what your devices are doing to your...
The Coffee "Prescription" That Fights Aging
Hold onto your coffee mug… because I’ve got news that’ll make your favorite morning ritual even better. New research reveals that your daily coffee habit isn’t just keeping you alert—it could also be keeping you from becoming frail as you age. And if you’re a superfan, the news is even better. The study found that...