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01/11/2008: "Pesticides"

The Utne Reader (www.utne.com) recently released a list of the most and least pesticide-laden produce. When we shop for fruits and vegetables we try and buy organic. Sometimes it isn’t always possible. I posted a little while ago about the benefits of organic and the dangers of our pesticides and artificial fertilizers. We have hundreds of new ones each year and the ones we ban (DDT, etc.) are sold to other countries and come back to us on imported produce. This list will help in deciding which foods you really should buy organic and which ones you might get away with buying conventional.

Michael Polan, the author of The Omnivore’s Dilemma has just released a new book titled, In Defense of Food: An Eater’s Manifesto. During his interviews to market the book, he mentions that his main recommendation is to not eat anything that your great-great grandma wouldn’t recognize. Considering how quickly we are inventing new food (i.e. trans fats) and the number of new chemicals introduced each year, this is becoming a tougher recommendation to follow. Still, his advice brings us back to basic breads and pastas, fruits and vegetables and “clean” animal products.

12 most pesticide-contaminated produce (Only eat these as organic):

Peaches, Apples, Sweet Bell Peppers, Celery, Nectarines, Strawberries, Cherries, Lettuce, Grapes, Pears, Spinach, and Potatoes

12 least pesticide-contaminated produce (Safe to eat conventional):

Onions, Avocados, Frozen Sweet Corn, Pineapples, Mangoes, Frozen Peas, Asparagus, Kiwi, Bananas, Cabbage, Broccoli, and Eggplant