Serious

Blueberries, a favorite among nutritionists for their anti-inflammatory properties, join fiber-rich green beans on this year’s Dirty Dozen list of non-organic produce contaminated with the most pesticides, according to the Environmental Working Group, an environmental health nonprofit.

In this list, the researchers relied on analyzing the group of vegetables and fruits and the extent of their pesticide contamination before classifying them as more or less polluted, according to CNN.

In the 2023 Shopper’s Guide to Pesticides in Produce, researchers analyzed test results data from 46,569 samples of 46 fruits and vegetables conducted by the US Department of Agriculture.

Each year, the rotating product list is tested by USDA employees who wash, peel, or clean fruits and vegetables as consumers do, before testing the food for 251 different pesticides.

Similar to 2022, strawberries and spinach continued to rank first and second, respectively, on the Dirty Dozen list, followed by kale, cabbage and mustard. Peaches, pears, nectarines, apples, grapes, sweet and chili peppers, and cherries were also included, respectively. Blueberries and green beans ranked 11th and 12th on the list.

The report indicated that a total of 210 pesticides were found in 12 types of foods. Cabbage vegetables and mustard contained the largest number of different pesticides, 103 types, followed by hot peppers and sweet peppers.

“Some USDA tests show traces of long-established pesticides that have been banned by the Environmental Protection Agency,” the report said. So, there’s a need for much stricter federal regulation and oversight of these chemicals.”

“Insecticides are inherently toxic,” said Jane Houlihan, former senior vice president for research at the Environmental Working Group, who was not involved in the study.

He pointed out that its aim is to harm living organisms, and this inherent toxicity has repercussions on the health of children, including the potential risks of causing hormonal imbalance and cancer, and harming the developing brain and nervous system.

What are the uncontaminated options?

Despite the contaminated foods and vegetables, there are others that are not contaminated and concerned consumers can choose traditionally grown vegetables and fruits from the EWG’s Clean 15 list, a list of crops that have been tested and contain fewer pesticides, according to the report. About 65 percent of the foods on the list contain no detectable levels of pesticides.

Avocado topped the 2023 list of least polluted foods again this year, followed by sweet corn in second place. The rest of the menu consists of pineapples, onions, papayas, frozen sweet peas, asparagus, watermelon, kiwi, cabbage, mushrooms, mangoes, sweet potatoes, watermelon and carrots.

“Exposure to a variety of foods without pesticides is especially important during pregnancy and throughout childhood. Growing children need complex nutrients, but they are also more affected by pollutants such as pesticides.”

The American Academy of Pediatrics notes that “exposure to pesticides during pregnancy may lead to an increased risk of birth defects, low birth weight, and fetal death.” Childhood exposure has been linked to problems with attention and learning, as well as cancer.

The report also stated that nearly 90 percent of blueberry and green bean samples yielded worrying results.

In contrast, experts say that many fruits and vegetables that contain higher levels of pesticides are essential to a balanced diet, so don’t give them up. Instead, avoid most pesticides by choosing to eat organic versions of the most polluted crops.

Experts also recommended peeling and washing with water only, as this will reduce pesticide levels. Plus some additional tips on washing FDA products:

* Wash hands with soap and warm water for 20 seconds before and after preparing fresh produce.

* Rinse the fruits before peeling so that dirt and bacteria do not transfer from the knife to the fruit or vegetables.

* Use a clean vegetable brush to scrub firm fruits such as apples and watermelons.

Dry the fruits with a clean cloth or paper towel to reduce bacteria that may be present.