Contaminated Fruits and Vegetables in the Produce Aisle

On my way back from Florida I picked up a “Natural Awakenings” magazine and found a great article by Barbara Sowa of Wren Song Farm entitled “Poisons in the Produce Aisle?”about the most (and least) contaminated fruits and vegetables at the grocery store and thought I would share. If you can’t afford to buy organic all the time, please at least buy organic (or grow your own) when you eat any of the following. These fruits and vegetables are sprayed with pesticides that CANNOT be washed or peeled off and which contain chemicals that can seriously affect your health.

Most Contaminated Fruits and Vegetables*

1. Peaches (found to be the most toxic fruit)
2. Apples
3. Bell Peppers
4. Celery
5. Nectarines
6. Strawberries
7. Cherries
8. Kale
9. Lettuce
10. Grapes (imported)
11. Carrots
12. Pears

According to the article, those fruits and vegetables that are safe to eat non-organic are:

1. Onions
2. Avocado
3. Sweet corn (frozen)
4. Pineapple
5. Mango
6. Asparagus
7. Sweet peas (frozen)
8. Kiwi
9. Cabbage
10. Eggplant
11. Papaya
12. Watermelon

*Both lists courtesy of the Environmental Working Group.